

Pro Tip: Bring binoculars for birdwatching. Fish & Wildlife Service.ĭue to the “nature” of the park, pun-intended, possible disruptions to wildlife like dogs, bicycles, & running are not allowed. Or, it’s covered by an America the Beautiful Pass.Ĭheck out this map of the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge from the U.S. The entrance fee is $3 per vehicle (up to 4 adults). The refuge is home to deer, great blue heron, hawks, harbor seals, beavers, and bald eagles. This route, you can see the Nisqually Reach Overlook, connect to the boardwalk, and then take the western portion of Twin Barns trail to the parking lot.Īs you hike, keep your eagle eye on the ready. I recommend checking out the visitor center (open Wednesdays – Sundays) and taking a bathroom break before heading on the eastern side of the trail. To get to the boardwalk, walk along either side of the 1 mile Twin Barns trail. Rainier’s Nisqually Glacier!īeneath you’ll see water, mud flats, and no shortage of birds (depending on the tide). Here, the great river meets the Puget Sound after its 81 mile journey from Mt. This well-kept 1 mile boardwalk allows for the unique chance to walk above the Nisqually River Delta. Even on rainy days.īy far, the highlight is the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail. National Wildlife RefugeĪlthough the rest of this list is in no particular order, I had to start with the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge!Ī sight to see in all four seasons, the water views, wildlife opportunities, and historic barns do not disappoint. So if you are a beginner hiker, planning a family hike, or simply wanting to go for a nature walk then these are for you! Billy Frank Jr. While only some are dog friendly, all of them are low difficulty. Sunset watching, tide-pooling, & birdwatching await on these hiking trails near Olympia. I hope you love them too! 9 Best Hikes in Olympia WA So, the following hikes near Olympia are close to my heart. Personally, my roots are in the South Puget Sound. Washington is a stunning state and you don’t have to go far to see beauty. If you recently moved to Olympia, welcome!! Or if you’re wondering what the benefits to moving to Olympia are, just know it is a perfect place for adventurers. Here, you can enjoy nature walks minus large crowds and overcrowded parking lots. Instead, trails near Olympia offer true solitude. Like arrive by 8 am on weekends to get a parking spot popular…įortunately, lots of Thurston County hikes are not on this list. Some Washington hiking trails are extremely popular. To help you explore hikes around Olympia, I’m sharing the top 9 best hiking trails!

Excited to venture out on hikes in Olympia? You’d be surprised at how many amazing natural areas are in Washington State’s capital city.
