Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge — Attraction in DuPont

This was my first time here, so my review is going to aimed towards first time visitors. With my first impression, I was a little ‘put off’ that the refuge is literally right next to the highway. That was disappointing. I was hoping for a more remote location. Secondly, there’s a $3 parking fee on the ‘honors system’ that must be paid in cash- so make sure you bring some with you. When we first started our hike, it seemed a little scrappy-looking and overgrown and we didn’t see many birds. Things improved and we ended up seeing some cool tree frogs along the path perched on the stinging nettles. Later, we walked down the boardwalk and saw about 20 bald eagles. They were very prolific and easy to photograph, because they were flying low and landing on the raised areas of dirt along the boardwalk- which reminds me, it was low tide when we were there, so the area along the boardwalk was completely dry. Check the tides before you go, so you’ll know what to expect. Bring binoculars or a camera with a long distance wildlife lens or you won’t see much. It’s a pretty cool place overall- probably the closest I’ve ever been to an eagle in the wild, because I always see them soaring at high elevations but here you can get a...

Went for the weekly bird walk on Wednesday at 8 AM. It is led by amazing volunteers and other participants welcome you even if it’s your first time there. You never know what you will see, but it has a variety of habitats and you can spend hours if you care to. Lots of trails that are level and well-maintained.

Lots of ducks today - mallards, shovelers, pintails, wigeons, buffleheads, etc. A big flock of cackling geese. The barns were a hotbed of activity: pileated, hairy, and downy woodpeckers; yellow-crowned kinglets; and creepers amongst the trees by the boardwalk on the backside.

There was so much to see that I barely got onto the dike. Could see some bald eagles and red-tailed hawks across the flats. More ducks and some flocks of dunlins in the distance. Didn’t get out to the boardwalk but heard the chum salmon were running which would have meant birds of prey and sea lions.

Hope this gives you an idea of what a treasure this is, and just a stone’s throw from I-5.

By the way, make sure to check the gift shop hours and stop by if it’s open. Lots of birding and nature books, nature notecards, and souvenirs. If you join as a member of the friends of the reserve, you...

Great place to view wetland plants and wildlife. We saw harbor seals, frogs, bald eagles, osprey, gulls, a variety of waterfowl, swallows, crabs and turtles. The Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk allows you to go about half a mile out along a tidal river, marsh and mudflats. Benches are available. It looked like most people were taking the Twin Barns Loop Trail clockwise from the parking lot to the Nisqually Estuary Trail to the boardwalk, then returning on the same side of the Loop Trail. The other side of the loop trail has a river viewpoint and follows along a riparian area worth seeing. Trails are mostly boardwalks. The rest are paved or graveled. No mud. The visitor center is interesting and has items for sale. The staff were friendly. $3 parking fee, unless you have an appropriate federal pass. Many cars in the lot on Saturdays, but still plenty of spaces available. Parking is paved. Visitors were pretty spread out along the trails. Restrooms are across from the visitor center. They were clean and well maintained but no paper towels, just the disease spreading...