nisqually national wildlife refuge

Wednesday morning offers local birders that will share their knowledge, which is extensive! Good place for kids to learn and get some running in as well! Bring a rain jacket in case.

This is a nature destination for all types of people. The fee is affordable (just a few dollars) and the trails are flat and wide. The entire refuge is easily accessed by all physical types. Boardwalks access the river bank and delta, providing great bird and aquatic mammal observation and numerous educational opportunities. Remember your binoculars and camera on this trip! Bring your lover or entire family. There is something for everyone at the Nisqually delta refuge.

Nice long walk on a decent day. Those that are'nt used to Western Washingtons cool, wet weather, might want to wait until late summer. Heels not advised. Gravel and dirt walking paths. Suggest jogging vs umbrella stroller.

I am an avid birder, and the Volunteers at Nisqually NWR conduct weekly bird walks, with 15-40 folks participating. Phil Kelly, Shep Thorp, and Nate Swecker lead the trips, providing identification, pointers, camaraderie, and expert eyes. The Refuge has several miles of walking trails along freshwater, fields and the Nisqually estuary of Puget Sound. A visitors' information center and learning facilities are available for the general public. The Refuge has restored hundreds of acres/hectares of estuary and salt marsh, providing habitat for birds, mammals and the iconic Chinook salmon. I was there this morning and saw over 20 Bald Eagles! All of this within a half-hour's drive of Olympia or Tacoma.

There is a newly constructed boardwalk out into the delta area that is exquisite. You can enjoy many bird sightings, including frequent viewings of bald eagles. Dogs are not allowed. The walk can take over an hour if you stop along the way (and back) to view the wildlife and enjoy the peace and quiet. There is a Gift Shop with great nature centered items for children and adults. Photographers are often present, happily clicking away with their long lenses. Clean restrooms near Gift Shop. Beautiful setting. Great place to bring out of town guests.

I Love this place.... easy walking, lots of wildlife to see, beautiful trails along the sound, the river, the mud flats, so lots of different things to see....

Words fail me. Oh to be a heron or kayaker and have this as my permanent address. Would love to see a small ampitheatre with a video of how the pier was built or how the naturalists reconverted this to a natural estuary, similar to the viewings at Mt Rainier.

Open Sunrise to Sunset, the walkways are well maintained, the visitor center is manned Wed. - Sun., and the 3 dollar fee per car make this a family friendly outing. If you like to test your skills in photography this is a perfect place for birds and scenery. Nisqually Refuge changes with the tides and the seasons. The lighting gives plenty of challenges when the sun and birds are out. Cloudy weather provides a whole other picture-taking experience. Light filters through trees, owls roost in tree notches, geese take flight from ocean ponds, tiny birds flit from bush to bush, and in the distance eagles soar. Bring your binoculars. I focused on photography in this review, because whether a novice or pro you will get some great pics here. However, if you just need a serene walk or hike in nature. This is the place to be.

If you want an easy stroll or a long hike (on flat terrain) you can find it here. The easy boardwalk is in a very pretty setting with lots of ducks to view, but you have to be able to block out the sound of the nearby interstate highway. This place would be ideal without that. The longer hike is along an old dike in totally open terrain but seems to get you beyond the freeway noise. You won't likely get as close to the birds, but some are pretty acclimated to the people. An advantage of the open terrain is that you can see the water (The Sound) and Mt. Rainier at the same time. Facilities are great with a nice reception center, well maintained boardwalks with informative signage and, along the dike, elevated viewing structures and a blind. Plus, near the old barns a few picnic tables. Is this place a refuge for people or for birds? Both I guess. And, if you have your National Parks Senior Pass, it is free. At that price, it is a 'can't miss.'

Do not miss this trek through the refuge. We visit here a few times a month, and every time, we are pleasantly surprised. Every season there is something to see at the refuge. The main path is the boardwalk which surrounds the inland area. There is another larger, longer boardwalk which takes you over the water for great bird viewing. We rarely make it out to the larger boardwalk because we dawdle along the trail overlooking the small tributary off the Nisqually River. We've seen Deer, and fawns, Great-Horned Owls, Juvenile Bald-Eagles, Red-Tail Hawks, Blue-Herons, just to name a few. Recently we were walking along the boardwalk and there was not a lot of activity due to the rain, and lo and behold, there sitting, was a young beaver. We watched and photographed him for several minutes. He would dive down under the water, and come back up, and sit and eat. We've always seen a lot of beaver activity in the refuge, but this was our first sighting and it was very exciting! It is a beautiful, tranquil stop. It's $3.00 to park, and many passes are excepted in lieu of payment. Make a day of it, and visit.

A great place to go early in the morning to see a wonderful variety of wildlife as you wander the many ( boardwalks ) trails in the refuge. Cameras are a must and binoculars are a good asset to have as you look off into trees for a large variety of birds.

I still can't believe such a great place only costs 3 dollars! The hiking trails are easy and flat. There are some dirt/gravel trails and a series of winding boardwalks. This area is teeming with wildlife! Bring binoculars and your best camera with that super telephoto lens! You will not want to miss this opportunity to see everything- bald eagles, great blue herons, ducks, frogs, seals, river otters, and the list goes on! This is one of the finest refuges I have had the privilege to visit. A big thank you to everyone that curates this great piece of land and protects the life within.

My sister and I went with her daughter to visit and it was the most amazing trail I'd been on in a while. The trails weave in and out of different areas some leading into the forest (but not deep); the trails even held my nieces attention the entire time. If you want to some spend some quailty time with your family then this is the place for you. Make sure to pack your tennis shoes.

the walking trails weave you through some of the most amazing scenery. The ponds and lakes are home to all kinds of birds, and other animals. We saw beavers, eagles, deer and so many other animals. The flowers and plants are beautiful. The entire hike took my breath away.

Since the US Fish and Wildlife Service had the longstanding dikes removed, this Refuge has been returned to its natural state as a wetland. It is an unqualified gem in the heart of a busy Northwest Corrider of I-5 between Tacoma and Olympia, WA. It is a well utilized nature preserve frequented by a wide range of people, especially bird watchers, but one of the real treats is watching young kids get a hit of nature. Since it is a tide flat, it offers the opportunity to see how it changes as the tides ebb and flow, which is made much more enjoyable since a great boardwalk system has been built that extends 2 miles out into the estuary from the parking area. Standing there watching the tide come flowing in under your feet is a real treat.There is a shaded picnic area and a FWS info center and gift shop adding to the enjoyment of the area as well as hosting guided nature tours. Walking the entire length offers an opportunity for exercise while being wheelchair accessible along the entire flat route. The only irritant is for several months in the Fall/Winter when the last section is closed off due to accommodating duck hunters who may shoot like Dick Cheney and presents a rather unsavory contrast to this neighboring "wildlife refuge." One thinks of a Far Side cartoon with signs directing ducks wearing camouflage across the border into the Refuge. BUT, the Refuge is there, reclaimed from private property and much appreciated by those of us who live nearby as well as visitors from afar.