Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge is located in the state of Washington and is a popular destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
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Summary
The refuge covers over 5,000 acres and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including migratory birds, marine mammals, and fish.
Visitors to Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge can enjoy a variety of activities, including hiking, bird watching, wildlife photography, and fishing. The refuge also features several points of interest, such as the Dungeness Spit and the New Dungeness Lighthouse. Visitors can take guided tours of the lighthouse and learn about its history and the surrounding area.
Interesting facts about the area include its designation as an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society. It is also home to the largest nesting population of western gulls in the world. In addition, the Dungeness Spit is the longest natural sand spit in the country, stretching over 5 miles into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The best time of year to visit Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is mild and wildlife is most active. However, visitors should be prepared for rain and wind as the area is known for its unpredictable weather patterns.
Overall, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge offers visitors a unique and memorable experience, showcasing the natural beauty and diverse wildlife of the Pacific Northwest.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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