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Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
4.8 ★★★★★ 4,486 Google reviews · Running trail in Olympia, Washington · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
762-acre protected estuary with trails, an education center, & bird- & whale-watching opportunities.
What runners say about Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
“Only $3 to enter (free with the America the Beautiful Pass), and the trails are very well maintained—no dogs allowed, so no worries about stepping in dog poop.”
“Only $3 to enter (free with the America the Beautiful Pass), and the trails are very well maintained—no dogs allowed, so no worries about stepping in dog poop.”
“The walk out onto the boardwalk was peaceful and offered beautiful views of the wetlands and wildlife.”
“Easy walks, a variety of views and even though the parking lot was pretty full, it didn't feel busy in the refuge itself.”
One of my favorite spots around here! Nisqually Wildlife Refuge is pure magic—especially on a sunny day after a storm. I went expecting just some fall colors, but was blown away by thousands of birds flying overhead—what a sight! I arrived around 12:30 pm and couldn’t believe my luck.
Beautiful, peaceful spot just off Hwy 101 to see wildlife. Bird sanctuary attracts all kinds of birds. Every visit I see something new up close - bullfrogs, turtles, beaver, bald eagles, egrets, ducks, cormorants. Easy walking on flat wide trails and wood-planked boardwalks through marshy, brackish landscape.
A must visit location! Very minimal entrance fee ($3 for up to 4 adults, children under 16 are free). There are two parking lots that look like they fill up fast so get there earlier in the day for guaranteed parking. There are a few options for paths to walk.
Very well maintained walking trails on boardwalks. Clean restrooms at Visitor Center. 2 miles flat boardwalk loop, and also can add on walking over another boardwalk over the marshes for a total of 4 miles flat walk. Plenty of bird sightings depending on time of year.
Trail conditions & character
“Only $3 to enter (free with the America the Beautiful Pass), and the trails are very well maintained—no dogs allowed, so no worries about stepping in dog poop.”
“2 miles flat boardwalk loop, and also can add on walking over another boardwalk over the marshes for a total of 4 miles flat walk.”
“Easy walks, a variety of views and even though the parking lot was pretty full, it didn't feel busy in the refuge itself.”
“The walk out onto the boardwalk was peaceful and offered beautiful views of the wetlands and wildlife.”
“2 miles flat boardwalk loop, and also can add on walking over another boardwalk over the marshes for a total of 4 miles flat walk.”
“They have restrooms at the visitor center and a porta potty a little way down the trail so plan ahead for that.”
“2 miles flat boardwalk loop, and also can add on walking over another boardwalk over the marshes for a total of 4 miles flat walk.”
“Only $3 to enter (free with the America the Beautiful Pass), and the trails are very well maintained—no dogs allowed, so no worries about stepping in dog poop.”
“The other is a gravel road, while easy to walk it is harder to pull a wagon (as expected).”
“So awesome to have the boardwalk all the way to the Bay, easy nice paced 5 mile round trip.”
Plan your run at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Loop distance5 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitefws.gov
- Phone(360) 753-9467
- Social Instagram · Facebook
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