Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and Dungeness Sea Spit 

August 25, 2021

Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge

The Dungeness Sea Spit is entirely within the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and home of the New Dungeness Lighthouse. Refuge Map

The 756 acre refuge was established in 1915 as a resting and wintering place for Black Brant and other birds. Over 250 species of birds have been noted here over the years. About 91 species nest in the refuge area, including Common Merganser, Cooper’s Hawk, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Vaux’s Swift, Rufous hummingbird, and Willow Flycatcher.

Walk on the longest natural sand spit in the United States near Sequim, Wash. Extending five miles into the Strait of Juan De Fuca, the sea spit has grown about 13 feet per year for the past 120 years.

New Dungeness Light Station

The New Dungeness Light Station is reached by a 5 mile one way hike from the Refuge parking lot (48.1415601, -123.1917345) along the North side of the Dungeness Spit.  Hike the half-mile trail through a forest to arrive at the base of the spit. Stop at two overlooks before you descend to the sand.

Be sure to bring solid shoes as walking on the sand and hurdling ocean-tossed logs is hard on bare feet. Make sure to check the Tide Table to insure you begin your hike at low tide to make the hike easier. Walking on hard packed sand is much easier walking over the drift wood will make the hike more challenging.

The lighthouse at the New Dungeness Light Station was the first U.S. lighthouse completed on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It has operated continuously providing navigational aids to ships plying the waters of the Strait since its lard oil lamp was lit for the first time on 14 December 1857. The Lighthouse is one of the very few that allow families an opportunity to be Lighthouse Keepers for a week. In 1993, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Several displays along Barry Dove Memorial Trail that provides an overview of the light station as well as it’s history.

The fog bell was used at New Dungeness from 1857 to 1874. Since the sound of the bell didn’t always carry well during periods of inclement weather, it was replaced in 1874 with a steam fog signal.

The Keeper’s House with its integral 91 foot light tower.

Head Keeper House

Daily Entrance Pass to the Refuge is $3 or America Beautiful Pass

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