Nisqually Wildlife Refuge

The first time we visited this beautiful wildlife refuge on our way to Olympia (its about 10 miles from downtown Olympia) on a chilly December day. We didn’t have much time so we just did the short Twin Barnes Loop trail which starts from the visitors center.

Update (September, 2021): On our next time out to the Wildlife Refuge we met up with a friend from a Olympia on warm late summer day. We made it all the way out to the Nisqually delta, where the river meets up with the Puget Sound and a long board walk stretches over the tide flats. The tide was out (when its in you’d be walking over water most of the time) but it was still spectacular.

Key stats:

Distance: There are a variety of wheelchair accessible trails in the wildlife refuge. The Twin Barnes Loop trail is 1/2 mile mostly on an old wooden boardwalk. Breaking off from the Twin Barnes loop is a 1/2 mile gravel trail that takes you to the Nisqually Boardwalk trail, which goes for nearly 2 miles to an outlook over the sound.

Wheelchair accessible parking? Yes

Wheelchair accessible bathrooms? Yes

Trail condition? There are two boardwalks and some hard packed gravel in between. The initial boardwalk is wooden and relatively bumpy; the Estuary boardwalk is newer and a much smoother ride.

Highlights? The initial boardwalk — perched above creeks and wetlands — is a great way to explore this beautiful area. The second boardwalk over the estuary is even more remarkable, with views of Mt. Rainier and the Puget Sound. It takes a while to get out to it but is definitely worth it if you have the time and stamina.

Also, you can check out binoculars in the visitors center which we definitely recommend. There are birds everywhere, large and small, as well as other animals like beavers and weasels that you might see peaking out in the wetlands.

More information about the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.

Trip 1 (Winter, 2019)