Nisqually is an excellent year-round destination for wildlife viewing and photography. Before you start your hiking, you'll want to be sure and have binoculars. Bring your own, or check them out from the visitor center. This will allow you to enjoy the many species of dabbling and diving ducks that stop to feed in the wetlands or the several species of raptors, such as owls, harriers and kestrels, that survey the fields for prey.

There are several hiking options in the refuge, but the most exciting is the new Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail. This trail starts at the visitor center and is accessed by walking one-half mile on the Twin Barnes Loop trail and the new estuary dike trail. Then the boardwalk begins, and it truly is something to behold. It juts far out into the delta - running a full mile. When the tide is in, hikers will be walking above the water. When the tide is out, folks will be treated to the mudflats that are so popular with waterfowl.

The trail features an observation tower, an enclosed viewing platform, several push-outs for those who want to linger with their binoculars and two covered viewing platforms. There are thoughtful touches like the areas with lower railings and mesh coverings to allow unobstructed views for kids and those in wheelchairs. The highlight is the Puget Sound Viewing Platform at the end of the boardwalk. It provides a 360 degree view of McAllister Creek, the Olympics, Mount Rainier and several islands in Puget Sound. Round-trip is four miles.

Trails at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge are open sunrise to sunset every day, and there is a $3 per car vehicle charge. Parts of this trail will have an annual seasonal closure from October to January for waterfowl hunting season. And although Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is not open to hunting, waterfowl hunting does occur on Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife land immediately adjacent to the trail.