Dungeness Spit

Reach the spit on foot only: the trailhead is at the Dungeness Recreation Area outside Sequim, and the full walk to the lighthouse and back takes around 300 minutes. Paid parking is available at the trailhead. Refuge entry costs $3 per party of up to four adults, waived with a Federal Recreational Lands Pass (including the America the Beautiful Pass) or an Annual Dungeness NWR Pass. The refuge is open sunrise to sunset daily; lighthouse tours require advance reservation.

The spit walk itself is the main event — nearly 9 kilometres of grey sand and gravel with harbor seals resting on the inner shore and shorebird and waterfowl concentrations that make it a serious birding destination. Eight kilometres away, Olympic Game Farm offers a drive-through look at retired film and zoo animals, a worthwhile detour on the way back to Sequim. Sequim Bay State Park, about 10 kilometres out, has a kayak launch and camping on a protected bay if you want to extend your stay on the water.

There are no food or drink facilities on the spit — pack everything you need before you set out. Back toward Sequim, Salty Girls seafood restaurant is about 11 kilometres from the refuge, a fitting choice after a long walk on the water. Hi-Way 101 Diner and Baja Cantina are both roughly 10.9 kilometres away and cover the bases for a straightforward post-hike meal.

Olympic Railway Inn, about 12 kilometres from the spit, is the closest listed accommodation option for basing yourself near the refuge. Sequim itself, just over 11 kilometres away, has a broader range of lodging if you're spending multiple days exploring the Olympic Peninsula.

The best shot on the spit is the New Dungeness Lighthouse framed against the blue strait with Vancouver Island on the horizon — late afternoon light from the south side of the spit gives the warmest tones. For wildlife, position yourself quietly near the inner shore at low tide in the morning, when harbor seals are most reliably hauled out and shorebird activity peaks.

Dogs are not permitted anywhere in Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge — leave them at home. Campfires are prohibited, and you must stay on the spit itself: entering the lagoon or the dunes is not allowed. The lighthouse is accessible by advance reservation only, so book ahead if that's your goal. Wind and weather hit hard on this exposed spit year-round, so bring layers even on sunny summer days; there is zero shade along the route. Watch the tides carefully — if you walk the inner shore, a rising tide can cut off your return path. The water is cold and swimming is strictly prohibited.