The Dungeness Wildlife Refuge in Sequim is adjacent to the Dungeness Recreation Area that provides camping, day use picnic areas and hiking trails for your enjoyment. Once entering the Recreation Area, continue the road to the end and you will find the trailhead to the Wildlife Refuge and Spit. Upon arrival, you will notice the welcome kiosk and parking lot. Across the street from the welcome signs, you will find the restrooms.
Tip: Before heading out on the trailhead, make sure to use the restroom. If you need to go while exploring the Spit, the hike back to the parking lot is a little more than 1/2 mile, but when you have to use the restroom, that 1/2 mile feels like 10 (especially when you are pregnant!!)
Entrance to the Refuge is $3 per family group which includes 4 adults. Children under 15 are free. When we went there was a sign advising they do not accept checks at the moment, so make sure to bring a little cash.
The trail to the overlook was flat and easy. Its a nice walk through a forest. Lots of cool trees to see if you are looking. We heard a bald eagle as well.
After about 1/2 mile, you get to the first overlook. The views are absolutely beautiful. I hope you brought your camera!
There are some binoculars you can use to spy the Lighthouse and maybe you will catch a glimpse of some Harbor Seals or Bald Eagles as well. Keep your eyes peeled. It is a wildlife refuge after all!
After the first overlook, a short walk will lead you to the lower lookout for even more views. Take it all in, and take a rest if you would like, the next section is a rather steeply inclined path to the beach itself. If someone in your party has bad knees or has trouble on inclines, I would recommend the use of hiking poles.
Once making it down to the beach, you will find all sorts of unique rocks, driftwood logs that will provide tons of entertainment for the kiddos, forts built by visitors and more.
You will notice a rope separating the beach from the Wildlife Refuge. Visitors are not allowed past the rope or signs. When we went, the rope was removed after a short distance but signs were still posted to keep out. Please respect the signs and stay on the beach side of the spit.
Keep an eye out for wildlife while enjoying the beach. The refuge is home to harbor seals, many kinds of duck, shorebirds, seabirds, birds of prey and more. Bald Eagles are often spotted perched on driftwood along the shoreline. During out visit, there was a sign advising visitors to be aware of harbor seal pups but we weren't lucky enough to see any.
If you came to the spit to visit the Lighthouse, the hike is 5 miles. You should plan your hike with low tide since you will find the packed sand much easier to walk on than the loose rocks. For more information on visiting the lighthouse, the hike, boating in and more, visit their website at The New Dungeness Lighthouse.
We all had a great time at the beach, even on a chilly day in February. The kids spent forever building a fort (be careful if your kids like doing the same, I found quite a few washed up boards that had nails in them!!), collecting rocks, running to and from the surf and just having a blast. The littlest one of the bunch had a hard time making the hike back after running around so much at the beach, but he made it!
After spending the day there, I would recommend bringing a picnic lunch and enjoying it at one of the picnic areas of the Dungeness Recreation Area. You will see the picnic tables all along the drive in. As much as a beach picnic sounds amazing, hauling in all the food, drinks, blankets and more would just be a task.
Also, bring sunscreen. We did not think we would need it since we weren't planning on staying long (plus, it's winter). However we all came back with pretty pink cheeks.
Pros:
Beautiful Beach
Beautiful Views
Fun for the kiddos
Cons:
No restroom at or near the beach
Steep incline at the end of the trail
To get there from Port Angeles: 554 Voice of America Rd. Sequim, WA
Take 101 East
Turn Left on Kitchen-Dick Road
Follow the Road as it turns right and becomes Lotzgesell Road.
Turn on Voice of America Rd (you will see a large sign for the Dungeness Recreation Area)
Follow the road to the end to reach the Wildlife Refuge
For more fun things to do in Sequim, check out the Game Farm Sequim or the Dungeness Valley Creamery, both located close by the Wildlife Refuge if you wanted to make your trip an all day adventure.
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