Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Best walk ever. The birds are amazing and the scenery is astounding. Plus, lots of walking! It's about 8,000 steps from the parking lot to the end of the Estuary Boardwalk AND back. That's about an hour of exercise. Everyone you pass along the way is friendly and the swallows are raising their young under one of the huts.

Part of the federal parks system, it's an "America the Beautiful" pass for entry, or $3 in the drop box. A very easy 1 mile loop trail on a boardwalk with longer walks available. A great way to spend a hot afternoon in the shade.

Beautiful! We walked the boardwalk as the tide came in so it was mud flats on the way out and full of water and Otters and Seals on the way back!

Great place to see a lot of wildlife. We saw beavers, ducks, song birds, squirrels, frogs, snakes and a bald eagle with a nest. It was really beautiful. I can't wait to go back and explore more of the trails. Price is $3. Military is free with America the Beautiful Pass and some local passes. There are actual bathrooms at the beginning next to the gift shop. They have porta potties and trash cans by the barns. Mobility disabilities shouldn't be an issue. They have a board walk with ramps and even wheelchair accessible picnic tables and binocular stands.

We have been to dozens of national wildlife refuges, and I used to work in land acquisition for USFWS. But we have never seen a NWR with so many visitors! That's a good thing, I think. Even with the (unusual for a NWR) entry fee.

I’ve left several reviews and they always appear to get deleted. I’ve been coming here since it first opened over a decade ago and it’s fantastic. We often see diverse wildlife and there’s always something new to learn and see. I often go early in the mornings anymore to avoid the crowds and chaos, this allows me ample time to enjoy the beautiful and engaging wildlife. However, the only gripes I have are the people who visit. You often get people with their dogs, running on the trails, and kids screaming like maniacs with their parents in the no walking areas. I can’t ding the park for people’s behaviors just unfortunate to see.

It takes about 40 mins to an hour to go one way from the Visitor Center to the Puget Sound Viewing Platform. The total distance travelled one way was about 4 kms. Best time to go here would be November to March when this place is full of birds. We went in July and August when there arent much birds around, but we did see plenty of swallows, herons, gulls, seals and 3 or 4 bald eagles. You also get an amazing view of Puget Sound and Mt Rainier from the Puget Sound Viewing Platform.

It's a nice nature walk but don't expect to see much for wildlife. Not expecting things to be galloping everywhere but there were barely birds around 😅 still a very nice place to visit

Always a great solitude hike to clear my head and solve my problems. Frankly, I like to talk with God out here. Somehow, I feel closer to him when surrounded by the beautiful Nisqually nature trails. Only $3 to gain access (honor system drop box), there are miles of gravel trails and boardwalks to enjoy. No biking, no jogging, and no pets allowed, but plenty of bird enthusiasts taking pics with long lens cameras. It's a quiet place to be in your thoughts. Occasionally, you see deer, rabbits, seals, coyote, lots of birds, and awesome eagles! Makes it so worth it? I highly recommend coming out here for a low effort hike, the quiet, and all things beautiful in nature!

Great place to go on a walk and get some fresh air. I'm the winter the boardwalk can be a bit slick so keep that in mind. There is a great kid area with all natural play "structures" (logs, sand pit...etc) it was great and kept our kids entertained for a long time. Definitely worth the $3 entrance fee.

I'm always up for a hike in the wetlands, and Nisqually has been on my radar since moving to Washington, as you pass through it on the I-5. I've been to many of the refuges in Cali, and this one is one of the tops I've been to, the gift and educational center alone makes it worth stopping for, going through the rooms set up for educational displays and history of the Nisqually was enjoyable and educational. The gift shop is full of nature books, more than I've ever seen anywhere else. Ranging from children's books to nature guides on many different animals and the areas to find them. Prices were very reasonable too! There were many options for walking and educational trails, some up to 4 miles long. Being late spring a lot of the wetlands were dry or at low tide. Still plenty of birds, flowers, and other creatures to check out. Definitely coming back next winter when all the ducks, geese, and swans are migrating through. A great way to spend a half to full day outside Olympia, enjoying nature and fresh air. Seeing a hummingbird nesting was one of the highlights this trip. SYOY, God bless.

I remember as a teacher being told we are going on a field trip to Nisquslly. I thought to myself, " Oh, this is going to be a long day." Eat my words!...it turned out to be such a beautiful place with so much to see as you walk along trails and boardwalk!!! My 3 children and I returned many times. Had picnics by the twin white barns. And to this day, I have beautiful 20" x 24" photos framed in my living room of me and my 3 there! It truly is one of my favorite places where i relaxed and enjoyed it with my 3 when they were young. ( now, ages 25, 27, 29). There is so much to see! And something always new each time we went!

Recently packed up the kids and headed down to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to walk around for the day. We had a great time! I've passed the exit sign for this place quite a few times over the years, but haven't really done too much research into it until my boyfriend mentioned he wanted to go. I'm glad he initiated the trip because now I definitely want to return. I definitely recommend coming early, especially if it's a weekend/nice day. We had quite the time trying to find a parking spot, even though there's two lots. People were circling for a while before being able to find one, us included. They have a visitor's center here with all sorts of information. We didn't actually go inside, but it's available if you're interested. The whole entire property itself is very well-maintained. The boardwalk was definitely my kid's favorite part, and we had a good time looking out pointing out different birds along the way. We didn't walk the entire boardwalk because my toddlers aren't quite ready for that yet. We made sure to pack a lunch so we could picnic here, and we loved it. There's plenty of shaded areas to sit, and lots of picnic tables available too. Beware: the squirrels are VERY acclimated to people and have no problem coming right up to your table to try and steal your food! My kids got a kick out of it at first, but they are a little bothersome. Great first experience - I'm sure we will be back a few times this summer!

Such a cool place! I came here on a whim on a random weekday, and it was a nice experience. The boardwalk and pathways were well-maintained (and stroller friendly!), and it took me out to the marsh where most of the birds were hanging out. They're fun to watch, and the environment is serene. Nisqually is a National Park, and silly me forgot my America the Beautiful pass at home. Not to fret though; admission was just $3/adult. So take yourself, your friends, your family, and/or your kids out to immerse yourself in nature here.

I thought this place was absolutely gorgeous. They have a lot of water that has lots of little moss and lily pads on it. You can search for different animals and wildlife. Lots of people bird watch here and take photos and videos of the birds. Along the way there are lots of signs that tell you what kind of wildlife you can find. The paths are easy to follow and take you to different looking spots. Lots and lots of greenery and trees. There are some barbecue pits and also benches for seating. Get out of your every day life and come for a little nature. Don't forget to put in two dollars per group of four at the parking area. The money helps to preserve the wildlife and nature.

I love this place. Peaceful, clean and everyone that goes here loves the beauty and environment. I walk this often.

This is a wonderful place to be in nature. There's a nice trail that you can use to walk around the river. Lots of trees and wildlife. We were there in the summer and it was cool in the 60s. They said it is also beautiful in the winter when it is covered in snow.

My go-to place for peace! It's so beautiful! The really fresh air, vistas, trails and boardwalks, wildlife galore, and sense of welcome -- what's not to love? It's such a gift. I'm so appreciative of this sanctuary.

I don't think that this is what people think of when they think of the PNW but it makes sense if you re-orient yourself from a land-based perspective (this is a marshy swampy area) to a sea-based perspective (this is marshland tied to the tides of the Puget Sound) then you will be on the right track. A heaven for bird watchers. Hard to spot much else in terms of wildlife - we've seen frogs both times we've been and not much else -- but the birds always delight. This time we saw a gigantic amount of swallows, particularly as tide was out and they were grazing along the rushes; as well as a bald eagle. Varied views and never knowing what you might find make this a great spot to take family and out-of-town visitors. A lot of the path is uncovered so it can get hot, but otherwise, it's an easy flat jaunt and you can go as far as you like, partway, the whole way, whatever, and then just turn back and head to your car.

This is a great place for hikers, bird watchers, and for folks who need to get out and enjoy the fresh air. Please note, four legged furry friends are not permitted on the grounds. Due to COVID19, majority of the facilities are closed. However, you can find porter potties located throughout. Please bring your own hand sanitizer. This place is huge so I highly recommended coming here early, grabbing a parking spot, and making a day of it!

Beautiful walk near the water, mostly flat. Great for kids and family. We saw lots of birds, and some sealions (or are they seals?) Be mindful, this place gets super busy on weekends, so parking may be difficult.

This is a gorgeous area to take a it all in. There is a really well-maintained boardwalk path which offers sweeping views and ample opportunity to look at wildlife especially in the morning or the evening. It was easy to get to with a lot of parking available. Highly recommend making a visit!

We arrived around 1pm on a Sunday and parking was 65% full. They have three porta potties next to the parking lot and another three next to the twin barns. We went to pay our $3 fee - which is an honor system of putting $3 cash into an envelope and depositing it into a metal container. We probably spent about 1.5-2hrs. It was very peaceful and not too crowded. When we left around 3pm, the parking lot was full and there were many people. It was also very buggy. The highlight was when we saw 7 or so goslings on our way to the observation deck.

This is a really picturesque park/hiking area. It's more of a flat trail walking type of hiking but the scenery lends itself to wildlife viewing. We found ourselves stopping periodically to take in our surroundings and snap a few photos. After foot/ankle surgery I needed to use a wheelchair, which I wouldn't recommend for this flat but rocky/gravel trail and boardwalk with small wood plank type of overeater path. We went around 9am on a weekend and there was still parking available and lots of space to socially distance from other groups. We wore masks the whole time we were there just to be cautious. The overwater boardwalk path was only about 5-6 feet wide so it was impossible to completely distance from people we passed going in the opposite direction. I hadn't ever thought to visit this area so I'm glad my friend who was visiting decided it was something she wanted to see while she was out here! Many people come here with binoculars for birding. We were unprepared in that sense. Next time I will definitely bring my binoculars!

What a beautiful place to go on a summer day. Plenty of space so even with lots of people you can social distance. Not much wildlife. Recommend checking the tide charts if you want to perhaps see otters. Also recommend binoculars since everything is far away. Places To sit on the boardwalk and porta potties I. Several locations. Excellent for the entire family

I grew up nearby the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, so have spent many walks with my family around here. But I still get mesmerized when I visit this wonderful open space. You must visit this wildlife refuge at least once when you're in the South Sound area, but I can assure you, it won't be your last. Get here early! I mean it. I left Bellevue around 8am, got here at 9am, and snagged one of the last parking spots. By the time I left around 11:30, cars were swirling around the lot, waiting for visitors to leave. There are two main parking lots, one is closer to the visitor's center and entrance to the trails. The other is a short walk around the backside of the entrance. Otherwise, I saw people park their cars along the roadway getting here for overflow parking. At this time, the visitor's center is closed due to COVID-19. Bathroom situation are porter potties around, some by the entrance and others along the trail by the Twin Barns. When I used it, I was surprised by how clean it was. They also had hand sanitizer inside. There is an entrance fee here of $3. Dogs are not allowed due to it being a wildlife habitat. It's such a beautiful space. I recommend walking along the main trail, the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk. You'll definitely see the most of what the refuge has to offer, including all different birds that make home here. Because the freshwater from the Nisqually River combines with the saltwater of the Puget Sound here, it forms an estuary. Expect a lot of professional photographers taking pictures here. If you're lucky, you'll see mammals and reptiles here, too. The trail is flat, so is easy to walk, and it's only about a mile one way. The boardwalk makes it easy to walk along for strollers and such. There's also a canopy area along the trail where you can get a more elevated look at the wildlife. I smile every time I pass by this exit. Many happy childhood memories spent here, and having recently visited, I still find it just as beautiful and peaceful of a visit. I recommend walking around here, spotting wildlife and breathing in the fresh air. It's an ideal place for it.

We arrived around 9:30am on a Saturday and the parking lot was about a third full. You pay a $3 fee for every car of 4 people and leave the money in an envelope and place it in a box, so be sure to have $1 bills! We didn't see too many people while walking. It was low tide and we could see some crabs and plenty of seagulls from the boardwalk above. All the paths are very flat, but there isn't much shade so bring water and sunscreen! We walked all the way to the end of the boardwalk and saw some baby birds in the nests built into the roof of the gazebo. Around 10:45am as we were walking back, we saw three bald eagles! Definitely take binoculars. Once we made it back to the car around noon, the parking lots were both full and we saw a lot of families going toward the boardwalk, so get there early!

This is a beautiful family friendly place. A great chance to get outdoors and take a walk while learning about many different birds and spending time with family. We loved how easy the trails were here and how beautiful the scenery was. On weekends it is very populated with a lot of families on trail. The only downfall is that they need more parking. It takes forever to find parking here and sometimes you have to park down the road and walk in. Overall, if you are looking for something to do with your little ones and to get out for an easy hike this is the place!

Gorgeous walk on a summer morning if you have an hour or more to spare for a leisurely 1-mile flat walk along an estuary trail. I stopped by to explore this park alone early on a Sunday morning as our family had an overnight stay in Olympia before driving to Olympic National Park. The views of birds and open scenery are peaceful. If you walk just past the Twin Barns (where port-a-potties are available), the Estuary Trail can be seen in the distance. The open vista will beckon you as the wooden boardwalk trail has a couple of viewing platforms. There's no shade out here, so a hat and sunscreen are recommended. On your return walk, the views of Mt. Rainier in the misty distance are spectacular. Not sure I would recommend this stop if you're in a hurry or do not feel like taking a long leisurely hike. The best views are definitely on the estuary trail, but if you have young kids, they might enjoy a short walk around the viewing area of the pond in back of the Visitor's Center.

Wonderful spot to walk and see nature in an estuary. We walked to the end of the elevated boardwalk on a Saturday about noon, during low tide. Uncrowded and pleasant on a sunny, warm day. We spotted deer, a juvenile bald eagle, and lots of other birds. We took the advice of other reviewers and brought binoculars, which were a nice aide in seeing the wildlife. Due to COVID the only toilets were port-a-potties, some of which were very full. Though it was a Saturday, there were several open parking spots.

Pretty cool place to go and spend a few hours. Nice nature trails, and an info center that has a lot of really cool stuff to learn. I think it's weird that you have to pay to park but other than that definitely a fun date

This review is for a kayaking trip I did along the western shores of the refuge. We didnt visit the actual refuge visitor center. Entered the water on the west side of the McCallister Creek. We paddled along the refuge and not into it (as much as I could research, kayaking is not allowed in the refuge itself). We seen some some seals popping up and checking us out. Watched a bald eagle as it swooped into trees harassing some golden eagles. We could see the wooden walkway and visitors on refuge property. Great area to see all kinds of wildlife and fantastic views of Mt Rainier and the Olympics.

Scenic and peaceful wetland. The thorough flat and well maintained trail even suitable for the little kiddos. Tips: Please prepare $3 as the entry fee into the envelop. Bring your Binoculars for the bird watching. Have the sunscreen to protect youself walking on the plank road.

We joined some friends on a little walkabout at the Nisqually Reserve this fall. There is an easily accessible parking lot with a reasonable parking fee of $3. The walk and walkways are very easy tramping and great for all members of the family of all ages. The walkways are mostly wooded plank paths with a few natural trails sprinkled in. It's an exceptionally pretty area teaming with wildlife, native plants, and scores of birds. The walk takes you on paths with a diversity of scenery from wetland to more of a mystical forestland. The walkways were all very well maintained with brambles and vines reaching right up to the paths but not past the boundaries. There are also several loops so you really have the option of making your walk either shorter or longer depending on your mood. In general it's not much of a calorie burner but it makes for a nice way to burn a bit of a relaxing afternoon.

Easy nature walk for all ages! We spent about 2.5 hours taking taking our time to walk the entire trail and enjoying the wildlife: bald eagles, herons, seals and a variety of birds. Bring binoculars! Many wore masks as they past others but for the most part people removed them while social distancing.

Came here on a cool overcast day and it gave me MAJOR Amityville horror movie vibes -- I clearly loved it lol After walking through some green trees and vegetation and I've never experienced before, we encountered a wooden pathway which had us walking over the marsh. It was eerie and really cool to me! We saw a couple bald eagles and took endless photos of the scenery! I wanted to walk to the end of the path but, the endless amounts of bird poop and birds started freaking me out -- like I didn't want them pooping on me lol Nevertheless, it's a beautiful place. Very solemn and great place for a walk/exercise.

It's a nice relaxing wife. You see wildlife I've seen deer & Bald Eagles. You get a lot of exercise as well.

You guys, I really loved visiting this place! Parking is $3, or I think the America the Beautiful pass is applicable here too. It's one of those "stick money in envelope and drop in bin" kinda dealio. Cody and I stopped here on our way to downtown Olympia, it's right off the 5 freeway. We grabbed some sandwiches from subway, and headed on over to enjoy a picnic lunch in nature! It was the perfect spot! We went clockwise on the board walk, you can go either way. We found some picnic tables near some old barns and sat down to eat our lunches. There were a lot of cars in the parking lot, but we didn't see too too many people and it never felt crowded. We did the mile loop on the board walk and went out to the lookouts too. We also saw the nesting great horned owl! Inside of the visitor center, they've got a lil gift shop, some info pamphlets and what not. Great place to stop by with the family, kid friendly, and just enjoy watching animals in their natural habitats! Sadly, no dogs allowed.

What a great summer outing this was! Steve and I went here one Saturday and had so much fun! There are information boards throughout the whole refuge where you can learn the history and the wildlife in the area. But the best part is the scenery! The trails that go through the refuge are wonderful. You get to see all kinds of wildlife here! We saw several kinds of frogs, deer, crabs(at the tide flats) and various kinds of birds. Like usual when involving wildlife you have to be there at the right time to see them before they move on. Are the scenic views at the refuge? You bet! If you go on the boardwalk that goes across the tide flats you can eventually get a great view of Mount Rainier, the Narrows Bridge and of course Puget Sound which is always right there. The boardwalk that goes across the tide flats I highly recommend but it may be too far for smaller children. Speaking of kids there is a kids section at the parks which looked like a lot of fun if you were the age for it. There is also an information center and gift shop you can go into as well. It's very reasonable as far as entry fees go. Three dollars per four people or three dollars per car. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge is a great retreat without having to go to terribly far away from the city.

Fascinating wildlife refuge that is a must-visit for bird watchers and nature lovers. There is a small $3 parking fee which is well worth helping to maintain this piece of our planet. We saw more kinds of ducks that we could count along with a few different kinds of gulls, some egrets and even one Bald Eagle. The Visitors Center was informative and they even have a little gift shop. The restrooms at the Visitors Center were clean. I'm not sure if there are other restroom facilities around the sprawling refuge, but the one at the Visitors Center was the only one we saw while we wandered about. They a few different trail options of varying lengths and we hiked the one that goes way out on a boardwalk raised trail over the marshy area and sound. It was around low-tide when we were there...I think I would have preferred to visit at a higher tide time but we just couldn't work it out with our own schedule that day. If you are local or have the time of a couple of days I certainly would recommend checking it out at different tide levels to see the changes. It was very peaceful and even though a highway runs along one far edge of the refuge you really didn't hear it much out on the raised boardwalk trail. Also, there are no dogs allowed in the refuge, which makes sense so as to not disturb the wildlife. And signs posted said no jogging, either, so this is not the place to come to get a run in...but there is plenty of hiking and soaking in all of nature's beauty!

So beautiful and peaceful and so close to I-5 and Olympia. I'm never disappointed when I come here. Always beautiful, never overcrowded and always some kind of birds to see. Short walks along the Nisqually River or you can walk the 5 miles out and back on the boardwalk across the mudflats. Good also for any age from toddlers to grandpa and grandma. Bring your camera and make some memories.

This is an amazing little walk to do. The kids loved running here. Park might be difficult to find

No pets (dogs) allowed here. It's a great place for people with lots of time on their hands and just want to wander in a peaceful area with the possibility of seeing native animals. The sounds of birds are the only thing you hear here except occasional human voices and the sound of the wind or was that traffic out in the distance? Yes, this place proved boring for my kiddos and quite frankly for us adults. Bring cash for the $3 fee. Visitor center and gift shop on site.

Nice trail for a leisurely walk with young kids! Well maintained as well. Highly recommend

This is a great place to visit. We took the 1 mile loop and checked it out. It's almost all wooden walkway and is all level with easy access. Very peaceful (except the kids, lol). Lots of birds, but any mink or beaver were not out. Very beautiful wetlands area, field glass would be a good idea. The visitors center has an information desk, friendly knowledgeable staff, a small book, souvenir and kid item assortment for sale and a great resource room with a topographical map of the Rainier drainage system that feeds a the area. There is also a wildlife display the is informative and a bit fun. There is only a parking fee and it is paid at a kiosk in front of the visitors center. It pays for 1 car/3 adults or children. For more see signage or ask in the center. Fee: parking only - $3.00 Restrooms: At visitors center, clean. Food and drink: none sold. Check at visitors center regarding rules. Bring your camera.

I can't believe I've never been here before. It's a wonderful place to spend some daylight hours. Parking lots get full and there's a $3 fee. Enjoy!

This lovely natural area is a delight! There are trails around the delta and a mile long boardwalk that will take you right out into the reaches of Puget Sound. It is all flat and an easy walk. If there were a half mile more of paving or boardwalk, it would be very wheel chair accessible (there is a gravel section). Those of you "Rascal" drivers should have no problem. Ditto for parents with prams and strollers. There is tons of wild life to see, mostly water fowl. Depending on the time of day, eagles are easily seen too. Look down at the low tide mud and there are small crabs running everywhere in the tide pools. This is a great inexpensive ($3 for up to 4 people) family outing.

The Nisqually wildlife refuge is located near Interstate 5 between Lacey and DuPont, offering great walking trails and a boardwalk along beautiful Puget Sound. The tranquility of this wildlife reserve and the fresh sea breeze along the boardwalk is very refreshing. Definitely recommend checking the tide chart on their website and walking the boardwalk during high tide. The walk from the parking lot to the end of the boardwalk is about 4 miles round trip. The day pass is $3.00 per car or you can purchase an annual pass for $12.00 at the gift shop.

Upon parking, this appears to be a typical wetland park. But this is a magical place filled with dynamic scenery that is definitely worth a few visits! It was definitely a bummer to find out no dogs are allowed. The initial wetland area almost looks prehistoric! Past that, a flat wetland that you can see for miles (background snowy mountain range included!), and a looooong boardwalk that takes you along a lushly green river on one side, and flat pools on the other. Tip: this is a great place to practice your photography! At $3, the price is most reasonable, and I plan on returning!

This is a beautiful and worthwhile stop. I walked all the way out to the end of the plank walkway early morning so there were not that many people. It was stunning and serene.

This is a wonderful way to spend time with your own thoughts or to wear out active kiddos. This Refuge is simplistic and well maintained - perfect for appreciating nature, while still close to home. The price is more than fair. $3 for the carload. Also all the built in binoculars and telescopes are free - no coin slots. Great for adults and kids!

$3 entrance fee for such a wonderful walk and views of nature!!! For some reason I thought Nisqualy NWR was drive through because it's so large, but it's not. I'm very glad it's not because I got to enjoy a super nice 4 mile journey. The majority of the trails are paved with wood planks. The entire boardwalk is made....well...of boards so there is wheelchair accessibility. There are gravel paths if you don't want to walk on the wood until you get to the boardwalk, then you have no choice. Surprisingly, the refuge was not marshy/swampy smelling. It may have been because the tide was out or maybe it wasn't too hot and there was a breeze. Regardless, it's a refuge and it's nature so deal with it. It's not like a zoo where things are on display, you actually have to look for things. There were a lot of bird watchers and even a bird watching hut on the boardwalk. The NWR is serenely quiet, aside from the occasional helicopter fly over from JBLM. What I like is that you don't have to worry about going the right or wrong way, everything leads back to the visitor's parking lot. P.S. Don't lean up again the railings on the boardwalk since it may be wet from the "white paint" the birds leave on the boardwalk. *wink nudge wink nudge*

Very educational and a beautiful surroundings. Had our family pictures there. Plenty of parking

One of our favorite parks in Washington! You get the best of so many different nature areas- wetland areas, large fields and running water. There are multiple trails to get to the same area so if it busy people can easily spread out. The park is beautiful any time of the year and time of the day.

Love this area for when I want to go on a nature walk but don't want to sweat like on a hike lol. Leisurely paths and wildlife are all about this place! Right off the freeway and super easy to spot, this refuge has been my go to for a while now. There's a visitor center with bathrooms and a good amount of parking, though it does fill up on some busy weekends. There's a few walking paths to choose from and all of them are flat and most loop back around so you can hop one and connect with another along the way. Cool views of the Sound and refuge once you get out on the trail. Super cool lookout that's at the end of one of the paths. No pets or bikes allowed here though so keep that in mind. And there's a lot of birdwatchers and families but surprisingly it's still pretty quiet and tranquil. I guess they open this area up for duck hunting season or something like that but I've never been here when that's going on, but if you wanna get your Elmer Fudd on then this may be a good spot as well.

The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is amazing. The only downside is fighting the traffic to get to the location! To wander the property it is $3 for four adults and you drop that money into an envelope and then into a slot keeping the permit on your person in the event someone asks to see it. I have never had that happen. If you have a Interagency Annual Pass (old Golden Eagle), Senior Pass (old Golden Age), or Access Passport, Federal Duck Stamp, or an Annual Refuge Pass you don't have to pay. There's a cute little gift shop that is open Wednesday through Sunday 9 AM to 4 PM and the Refuge itself is open sunrise to sunset. It is a refuge - it is not a park. No camping, no jogging, no bicyclists, and no pets are allowed. It is very serene. There are a number of trails throughout the refuge - some that are underneath lush tree canopies while others are exposed to the sun. On hot days the refuge can be oppressively warm. There's almost always something to see at the refuge. There has been days where I have gone and not seen much beyond the swift here and there and a bald eagle. There has been other days where I have seen blue herons, bald eagles, swifts, geese, a mink here and there, and many, many other birds. In the low tide it is possible to see hundreds of little crabs scurrying in the mud below the boardwalk. It can be an incredible experience. The boardwalk is the main attraction as it juts out over the estuary going to the edge of deeper Puget Sound waters. There's benches here and there and a couple areas where a person can escape from the weather. It is deceptively long and I have seen many parents struggle with their very tired little children half way down because they're tired and bored. Typically crying and screaming is involved. At the end of the boardwalk is a large covered platform with some viewing scopes to see out in the far distance. There is plenty of educational material to explain about the Refuge and all its background. It is extremely peaceful here.

Beautiful. Relaxing. Inspiring. Family friendly. Can't say enough good things. You need to go!