Nisqually

National Wildlife 

Refuge

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Any meeting of a river 

and a sea is a place of 

change... It will be 

proof of our ability 

to survive...

if we learn to respect 

wild places like the 

Nisqually Delta, 

to trust them for their 

naturalness, and to love 

them for their power to 

move us.

Victor B. Scheffer, Scholar and Author

Nisqually River as seen from the River Overlook

Photo: Sheila McCartan USFWS
As surrounding wildlife habitat is 

lost to development, Nisqually 

Refuge has become an increasingly 

important place for wildlife, especially 

migratory birds. Birds on their 

migrations north and south use 

the Refuge as a stopover to feed 

and rest before continuing their 

migration. For others, including 

thousands of ducks and geese, it’s 

the end of their seasonal journey 

and a place to spend the winter. 

Songbirds arriving in the spring 

find places to nest and raise their 

young. For resident birds, Nisqually 

Refuge is a year-round home.

Over 300 species of birds, mammals, 

fish, reptiles, and amphibians inhabit 

Nisqually NWR. A variety of hawks, 

owls, and other raptors hunt in the 

fields and marshes. Woodpeckers, 

warblers, and small mammals are 

found in the woodlands. Shorebird 

flocks search for food in the mudflats 

while harbor seals rest in the salt 

marshes nearby. Freshwater ponds 

provide habitat for otters, ducks, 

and herons. Mixed conifer forests 

on the bluffs above the Delta 

provide perches for bald eagles. 

Salmon and steelhead use 

the estuary for passage 

to upriver areas and 

transition to the Sound.

A Protected Estuary The Nisqually River Delta, a A Home for Wildlife

biologically rich and diverse 

area at the southern end of 

Puget Sound, supports a variety 

of habitats. Here, the freshwater 

of the Nisqually River combines 

with the saltwater of Puget 

Sound to form 

an estuary rich 

in nutrients and 

detritus. These 

nutrients support 

a web of sea life – 

the benefits which 

extend throughout 

Puget Sound and 

beyond.

While most major 

estuaries in the 

state have been 

filled, dredged, 

or developed, 

Nisqually River’s 

has been set aside 

for wildlife. In 

1974, Nisqually 

National Wildlife 

Refuge was 

established to protect the delta 

and its diversity of fish and 

wildlife habitats. The Nisqually 

estuary was restored in 2009, 

by removing dikes and 

reconnecting 762 acres with 

the tides of Puget Sound. 

This is the largest estuary 

restoration project in the 

Pacific Northwest and 

an important step in 

the recovery of 

Puget Sound.

Tree Swallow

© Mark Gamba

Harbor Seals

© Jessie Barham

Female Bufflehead

© John Jacobson
Sanctuary - closed to all access including boats

Research Natural Area

Closed to all consumptive uses. 

Closed to boats October 1 to March 31.

Riparian Forest 

Overlook

Nisqually River 

Overlook

46th Ave.

Meridian Rd.

Nisqually

Reach 

Nature 

Center

Luhr Beach 

Boat Ramp

Exit 114

Exit 114

D’Milluhr Rd.

Meridian Rd.

Environmental

Education Center

Refuge Entrance

Visitor Center

McAllister Creek

Nisqually River

Red Salmon Creek

To Tacoma

To Olympia

Twin Barns 

Observation 

Platform

Observation Tower

Shannon Slough Blind

McAllister Creek Viewing Platform

Puget Sound 

Viewing Platform

Puget Sound

Martin Way

5

5

McNeil Street

Ri dgeview Dr.

Mounts Rd.

Miles

Kilometers

0

0

1/2

1/2 N

Private & Other Lands

(In Approved Refuge Boundary)

Nisqually Indian Tribe Lands

Washington Dept. of Fish &

Wildlife Hunting Area

Nisqually NWR Hunting Area

Dike

(Closed for Sanctuary)

Seasonal Trail Closure 

During Waterfowl Hunt

Nisqually Estuary 

Boardwalk Trail (1 mile)

Nisqually Estuary 

Trail (.5 miles)

Approved Refuge Boundary

Research Natural Area

 Twin Barns Loop Trail

(1 mile, Accessible)

Sanctuary Boundary

Homan Hill Trail
A Place For People Nisqually Refuge provides 

abundant opportunities for 

wildlife-dependent recreation. 

Hiking, wildlife observation, 

wildlife photography, fishing, 

and environmental education 

all allow visitors to learn more 

about the natural world and 

the importance of places rich in 

beauty and biological diversity.

Hooded Merganser

© Mark Gamba

Twin Barns Loop Trail 

© Mark Gamba

Spider © Mark Gamba

The U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service manages 

national wildlife refuges and 

national fish hatcheries 

throughout the country 

for the continued conservation, 

protection, and enhancement of our 

 fish and wildlife resources and their 

 habitats.
Environmental 

Education Center 

and Programs

Visitor Center

Trails

Entrance Fee

Hours

Location The Refuge has 191 acres of tideflats 

in the Nisqually estuary open to boat 

access waterfowl hunting. Hunting 

is permitted seven days a week 

during State waterfowl hunting 

season dates. State hunting license 

requirements apply and no additional 

Refuge permit is necessary. 

Boating is permitted in waters 

outside the Sanctuary Area and 

seasonally in the Research Natural 

Area. Canoeists, kayakers, and small 

boaters should beware of hazardous 

tides, shallow waters, wind, and 

weather conditions around the 

Nisqually Delta. The nearest public 

boat ramp is at Luhr Beach.

Fishing from boats is permitted in 

waters outside the Sanctuary Area 

and Research Natural Area. There 

is no bank fishing access along the 

Nisqually River or McAllister 

Creek. Washington State 

regulations apply.

Jogging, pets, bicycling, 

camping, and fires are 

prohibited on the Refuge. Please 

stay on trails.

Waterfowl

Hunting

Prohibited 

Activities

Boating

Fishing

Visitor Facilities

© Mark Gamba

The Refuge is 

located 8 miles 

east of Olympia, 

Washington. From 

Interstate 5, take exit 

114 and follow the signs 

to the Refuge.

The Refuge and trails are 

open daily from sunrise to 

sunset. The office is open 

Monday through Friday 7:30 am 

to 4:00 pm. The Visitor Center and 

Nature Shop are open Wednesday 

through Sunday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Daily fee is $3.00 per four adults. 

Valid Federal Duck Stamp, Interagency 

Annual, Military Annual, Refuge Annual, 

Senior, and Access Passes admit four 

adults. Children 16 and under enter free.

The Refuge has 4 miles of trails. The 

1–mile accessible Twin Barns Loop Trail 

is open year round. The Nisqually 

Estuary Trail is 4-miles round trip from 

the Visitor Center. A portion of this trail 

is closed seasonally during the 

waterfowl hunting season. The trails 

provide views of wildlife habitats and 

access to observation platforms, a tower, 

and blind. Please stay on the trails.

Visitor Center exhibits describe the 

Nisqually Watershed and Pacific 

Flyway to orient visitors to the area. 

Knowledgeable volunteers are available 

to answer questions and a good 

collection of educational items can be 

found in the Nature Shop. Visitors are 

welcome to view a freshwater wetland 

and take in the latest wildlife art exhibit.

The Refuge has indoor and outdoor 

programming for schools and other 

education groups. The Education 

Center houses classroom space 

and exhibits about the Refuge. 

It is open weekdays to school

and other educational groups 

by reservation only.
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

100 Brown Farm Road

Olympia WA 98516

Telephone: 360/753 9467

Fax: 360/534 9302

1 800/344 WILD

http://www.fws.gov

http://www.fws.gov/nisqually

Washington Relay Service

TTY 1 800/833 6388

Voice 1 800/833 6384

Telebraille 1 800/833 6385

Federal Relay Service

TTY and Voice 1 800/877 8339

June 2012

Great Blue Herons

© Michael Wolf