What a wonderful place, filled with wildlife!

Road is 100% paved, parking lot is relatively small if you are going on a weekend. We drove in circles for probably 10 minutes until we finally got a spot. Definitely recommend coming early or on a weekday to get some solitude because there were some large loud families.

Trail has puddles in many places and spots of mud, but it is all very avoidable. Our trail runners hardly got dirty, but we saw people with waterproof boots on walking straight through the puddles, too. 

The trail is nice and flat and okay for anyone of any age. Which is great because there is plenty to see! Terrain is all either packed down dirt/gravel  or wooden boardwalk (can get kind of slippery when wet). Highly recommend bringing binoculars. Excellent place for wildlife viewing and photography. 

We spotted 23 bird species in just three-ish hours, a beautiful coyote with his winter coat, as well as 8 harbor seals resting on little islands close to the boardwalk!

This is a wonderful place to escape busy work life and just come to see nature flourishing. There are many interpretive signs to learn about several species of birds and plants and the ecosystem, and even a wildlife checklist pamphlet at the visitor center. Might I suggest downloading the Merlin Bird ID app and bringing your binoculars to see how many you can check off! 

Great place to learn, get some walking in, and appreciate what this wildlife refuge does!

Arrived before 10am and lots of parking. upon returning to the car at 1130 the lot was full.

There area was rich with various birds and on our outbound walk, only the bird watchers and photographers we're about. However, on the way back, large groups of multiple families were commonplace.

definitely plan for an early morning walk on weekends to avoid crowds.

Beautiful hike in the estuary. Lots of birds and sunny waters. Great, easy and interesting hike for all ages. Parking could be limited during the weekend.

Beautiful sunny December hike on a marshy estuary. It’s flat (duh) and on a boardwalk for a mile but tons of shorebirds and great views of Mt. Rainier. Parking lot completely full though. Parted a half mile away under the freeway and walked in.

Beautiful walk today around the refuge with lots of blue herons, geese, ducks, and gulls. Parking lot was very crowded but the crowds thinned while walking around the marsh. Really loved seeing all of the wildlife and Mount Rainier on such a perfectly sunny fall day!