Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

The Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge provides numerous recreation opportunities including boating, hiking, and participating in educational programs among the refuge's unique ecosystems and diverse wildlife. It has a Visitor Center, an Environmental Learning Center, and ~5 miles of walking trails.

getting there

Take Exit 114 off of I-5 and follow the signs to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.

on the trail

The Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge provides numerous recreation opportunities including boating, hiking, and participating in educational programs among the refuge's unique ecosystems and diverse wildlife. It has a Visitor Center, an Environmental Learning Center, and ~5 miles of walking trails. The one-mile Twin Barns Loop Trail is a fully accessible boardwalk trail with access to the observation platform. The Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail begins one mile from the Visitor Center and the Boardwalk is one mile long. So a round trip walk from the Visitor Center to the end of the Boardwalk and back is 4 miles.Please stay on the trails. The Refuge presents many wonderful opportunities for photographers. Observation platforms along the trail provide countless possibilities to capture that perfect moment.

Information for Leaders

SCHEDULING & Permits

  • If you are scheduling this as a non-course related activity, please limit your group size to the default party size. The maximum party size is for use by course field trips only, and includes both students and instructors. Group size maximums do not reflect how course field trips are run (in smaller groups of students and instructors), but allow for course leaders to register the course in our system.
  • If you are scheduling a course field trip, please contact our Member Services Team to confirm the field trip and any permitting regulations.
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Length: 4.0 mi
Map
  • USGS Nisqually
Activities

Upcoming Activities

YWCA - Hiking Trips - Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Youth Field trip: Mountain Workshop - YWCA
Hiking trips for YWCA youth
Difficulty: Easy
Mon, Oct 2, 2023
No Prerequisites
11 participants
Registration closed Sep 23
Olympia Branch
Claire Edwards
Qualified Youth Leader

Mini Mountaineers Field Trip - Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Youth Youth activity: Olympia Mini Mountaineers 2023/2024
Weekday trip for mini mountaineers or Olympia. We will do the Nisqually Boardwalk trail and
Difficulty: Easy
Thu, Oct 19, 2023
No Prerequisites
11 participants 12 chaperones
Registration closes Oct 24
Olympia Branch
Claire Edwards
Qualified Youth Leader
Trip Reports
Titles

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  • Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
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