Oftentimes we hike from A to B and enjoy the scenery while doing so. This trip is meant to enjoy the scenery while getting from A to B. 

On flat surface like this I usually do 3.5 - 4 miles an hour, this trip took me 3 hours for a bit under 5 miles- walk, stop, listen, watch. Repeat.

The refuge is teeming with wildlife, birds were flying from right to left and left to right, others were wading in the marshes or just chirping along in the woods, there was constant action. I was early enough to beat the crowds, that might have helped- a few cars in the parking lot when I arrived on a Sunday shortly before 9am. The refuge has 97 parking spots and they were all taken when I returned around noon. 

Restroom was well stocked and very clean; trails are suitable for all sensible shoes. Informative signs along the way provide helpful information. It was quite windy along the wetland boardwalk, so a rain jacket or windbreaker is recommended. Parking fee is $3 and is to be left in cash in an envelope. They accept "America the Beautiful" and a few other passes (they do NOT accept the Northwest Forest or Discovery Pass). 

Binoculars are a must- they make the difference between white dots bouncing up and down in the distance - or watching birds diving in and out of the water; or help distinguish a brown bump in the meadow from a deer. They also help to really admire the beautiful plumage of birds that are relatively close. You will regret not bringing them. 

Definitely a nice change from my usual alpine and forest adventures. 

We chose this location to ‘hike’, although it’s more of a scenic walk, because our legs were sore from hiking previous days. We arrived around 7AM and there were few cars in the parking lot. Near the bathrooms/welcome center there is a stand with envelopes where you can retrieve your pass for the day. (Be sure to have exact change of $3 or you will donate however big of a bill that you have unless the welcome center is open then maybe you can get change.) We saw ducks, geese, bunnies, deer, squirrels and lots of different birds. Such a stunning place to walk and see nature. Most of the trail is a board walk with occasional gravel sections. We left about 9 AM and the parking lot was almost full.

Five of us from Seattle and Olympia Mountaineers branches enjoyed a 4.5-hour bird-filled morning (3.83 miles) that began at 7:10 a.m. Leisurely and bird-centric trip. The restrooms were open and stocked, and at that time, the parking lot had plenty of spaces, but at 11:40, when we got done, cars were waiting for any vacant spots.

Lots of school groups were coming in as we were leaving. It's truly wonderful to see youth excited about using binoculars. Start them young!

No parking pass is required, but you can buy a $3 day parking pass; a national parks pass will also do. I had zero traffic heading down from Seattle at 6 a.m. and moderate traffic headed through JBLM and Tacoma around noon.

The boardwalk and paths are in great condition, and the birds are abundant. As a group, we heard or saw 51 species (252 photos) with a possible pheasant as the 52nd. We got great looks at over 500 honking, flying, cackling geese that flushed when an eagle flew overhead, and 17 greater white-fronted geese right near the path. I also enjoyed the marsh wrens singing and collecting cattail nesting material.

We enjoyed the riparian forest where two hooded mergansers, a band-tailed pigeon, and both a downy and pileated woodpecker came to show off. Other wonderful moments included wood ducks, nesting tree swallows, a bald eagle perched on the pergola, and several shorebirds near the boardwalk.

I'd been looking forward to this trip for several weeks as co-leader, and the five of us had a lovely time. Our novice birder spotted a white-tailed deer that crossed right in front of us over the boardwalk, and I had my 400mm lens ready. We also saw a pair of harbor seals, several rabbits, a river otter, and a frog. Bonus! 

The nice weather brought out the birds! There were about a dozen vehicles in the main parking lot when we arrived and about a hundred when we returned, including two busloads of kids excited to be on a field trip. All trails are in good shape and the boardwalk is open all the way to the rotunda at the end.  

Very flat. Easy for kids. No dogs allowed. Very populated. Good viewing of wildlife. Muskrat, seals, river otters, frogs, birds etc.