Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Winding its way down from a glacier on the south side of Mount Rainier, the Nisqually River joins Red Salmon and McAllister Creeks to form the last remaining undisturbed estuarine delta on southern Puget Sound. Habitats include tidal flats, fresh- and saltwater marshes, grassy meadows, and riparian woodlands.

The 5 1/2-mile Brown Farm Dike Trail leads through marshes and grasslands and along the river and sloughs. Northern River Otters, Minks, and Common Muskrats frequent this route, Marsh Wrens and Pacific Chorus Frogs supply background music, thousands of wigeons graze in winter, and raptors soar above the open country. Brown Farm Dike Trail closes seasonally from October through January. An additional boardwalk trail 1.25 miles long has recently been opened.