Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Pacific Region
 

Hiking Trails

Trail Distances and Times Hiking Trail Descriptions Wildlife Observation Tips

Visitors walking along the Twin Barns Loop Trail.

The Refuge has 7 miles of walking trails. The one-mile Twin Barns Loop Trail is a fully accessible boardwalk trail with access to the observation platform. The 5.5 mile Brown Farm Dike Trail provides views of many different habitats and access to the observation platform and photo blinds. Please stay on the trails. Seasonal closures of trails occur throughout the year.

The Refuge presents many wonderful opportunities for photographers. Two photo blinds, observation platforms, and trails provide countless possibilities to capture that perfect moment.

Trail Distances and Times
Distances and approximate hiking times are from the visitor parking lot. The times indicated are for steady walking. Add time to account for wildlife and habitat observations.
     
Trail Distance Time
Brown Farm Dike Trail 5-1/2 mile loop 4 hours
To Observation Tower (tower is closed) 4 miles round trip 3 hours
Twin Barns Loop Trail 1 mile loop 30 minutes
To Riparian Forest Overlook ¼ mile round trip 15 minutes
To Nisqually Overlook 1 mile round trip 30 minutes
To McAllister Creek 1.5 miles round trip 40 minutes
To Twin Barns ½ mile one way 15 minutes

Hiking Trail Descriptions

Brown Farm Dike Loop Trail (Seasonal)
This level 5 ½ mile loop trail is on an earthen dike. The trail is wide with both gravel and dirt surfaces and can be muddy in some places. All the major types of habitat found at the Refuge can be seen from this trail.

Twin Barns Loop Trail
This level 1 mile boardwalk passes through woodland, grasslands, and freshwater marshes to the Twin Barns and observation platform, ending back where it starts at the Visitor Center. There are two spur trails off this trail, the Riparian Forest Overlook and the Nisqually River Overlook.

To Riparian Forest Overlook
A short trail to an observation deck branches off the east side of the Twin Barns Loop Trail. It curves through a surge plain, where very high tide causes the Nisqually River to spill into wooded habitat.

To Nisqually River Overlook
A little under one-half of a mile around the east side of the Twin Barns Loop Trail, the boardwalk extends for another 150 yards to the river. Here there is an observation deck with a mounted spotting scope for wildlife viewing along the Nisqually River.

To McAllister Creek
To get to McAllister Creek, walk along the south side of the Brown Farm Dike Trail for ¾ mile. This section of trail passes through grasslands and freshwater marshes.

Seasonal Trail Closures
Three miles of the Brown Farm Dike Trail are closed during waterfowl hunting season. Typically the closure is from early October to late January, but specific dates vary from year to year. The trail is closed because waterfowl hunting is allowed on Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife lands adjacent to the Refuge trail. It is not safe to walk in the area, and closing the trail provides an undisturbed area for birds to rest and feed. For more information, see the Seasonal Trail Closures map.

Wildlife Observation Tips

Visitors viewing wildlife from the Brown Farm Dike Trail.When
Early morning, late afternoon, and when the weather clears after a storm are good times to observe wildlife. Spring bird migration usually goes from mid-March through mid-May, and fall migration from September through December. The Refuge is open daily during daylight hours.

Where
Be sure to look in a variety of habitats, along the "edges" between habitats, and remember to look high and low as well as at eye level.

How
You will see more animals if you are QUIET. Be sure to listen for animal calls or songs, or try sitting down along the trail and waiting.

What to Bring
Binoculars or spotting scopes are helpful for observing wildlife, and a good field guide will help you identify what you see. Discovery Packs, which include activities for children in grade levels 3 through 6, and binoculars are available for check-out from the Visitor Center with a valid photo ID. You are always welcome to bring your camera and a lunch to eat along the trail. Don't forget your raincoat.

 

Last updated: October 2, 2008