Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, Olympic National Park, Washington
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge
Olympic National Park
The Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge protects over 250 bird and 41 land mammal species that call the this coastal area home at some point in their life cycle. The Dungeness Spit extends over 5 miles into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which visitors can walk to the historic lighthouse.
| Related Trails: | Dungeness Spit to Dungeness Lighthouse |
The Dungeness Spit is one of the longest such formations in the world, and grows 15" every year
The spit shelters backwaters that are rich in avian life, particularly in the winter
The New Dungeness Lighthouse is fully maintained by volunteers under the purview of the Coast Guard
The import of Dungeness for migratory birds led to the creation of a refuge by President Wilson in 1915
While passable at most high tides, the spit can be partitioned by the Strait
Gulls make up the majority of permanent residents on the Dungeness Spit
Harbor seals rely heavily on the Dungeness Spit for haul-outs and pupping
This sign leads hikers off the spit to the lighthouse
The lighthouse was originally commissioned in 1850 and completed in 1857
Bald eagles are common in the sheltered backwaters of Dungeness Bay
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