Washington Island National Wildlife Refuge

Directions: Located over 100 miles of Washington's Pacific coast from Flattery Rocks S to Copalis Beach. These islands are closed to the public in order to protect seabird nesting sites.

Primary Wildlife: 150,000 pelagic birds nest annually on these islands, including Leach's storm petrel, fork-tailed storm petrel, rhinoceros auklet, tufted puffin, common murre, glaucous-winged gull, western gull, Brandt's cormorant, pelagic cormorant, Cassin's auklet, black oystercatcher, pigeon guillemot, and double crested cormorant. Migrating birds sometimes swell the population to over one million. As many as 500 sea lions haul out on these islands. Bald eagles and peregrine falcons roost here in winter.

Habitat: 870 coastal rocks and reefs. Many are rocky outcroppings exposed at low tide, while others are high pinnacles of rock with salal, salmonberry, and a few stunted conifers.

Recreation and Education: Wildlife observation from boats and the mainland, but public access on the islands is not permitted. Visitors should stay at least 200 yards away from the islands to avoid flushing nesting birds. Interpretive panels at Lake Ozette, Rialto Beach, Second Beach, Ruby Beach, and Kalalock give information about the islands. Olympic National Park provides access to 50 miles of beaches with views of the islands.

Special Note: Washington Islands are included in three NWRs: Flattery Rocks, Quillayute Needles, and Copalis. All islands, except Destruction Island, are included in Washington Islands Wilderness Area.

c/o Nisqually NWR Complex
100 Brown Farm Road
Olympia, WA 98506
(206) 753-9467