Dungeness Spit is an 11-mile round trip to a lighthouse, and fall’s shorter days turn it into a race against sunset
The hardest part of Dungeness Spit isn’t the terrain. It’s the clock. The walk to New Dungeness Lighthouse is flat, but it’s long, and the refuge closes before the sun does.
That math gets a lot less forgiving as fall rolls in. Here’s how to plan it so you actually reach the lighthouse and make it back.
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Why the numbers sneak up on you
Dungeness Spit sits on the Olympic Peninsula’s north shore, and the lighthouse waits at the far end. The refuge lists the trail at 5 miles one way in one spot and 5.5 miles each way from the main trailhead in another. Plan for the longer figure, which makes the round trip about 11 miles.
Eleven flat miles on sand and cobble is slower than eleven miles on a groomed trail. Every step shifts a little under your boots, and the beach has a way of making the lighthouse look closer than it is.
Beat the daylight
The refuge is open daily from sunrise until a half hour before sunset, and closing times are posted at the trailhead. Lighthouse tours run 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with reduced hours in winter. In late fall, that leaves a much smaller window than a summer visit does.
My one firm opinion: start at sunrise or close to it. Turning around at the lighthouse with hours to spare is a far better feeling than speed-walking the last miles with the light fading.
What to bring and what to know
Check a tide table before you go, and keep an eye on the weather, since conditions on the water can change quickly. Dogs and other pets aren’t allowed on the refuge. Parts of it are closed to protect sensitive plants and animals, so stay on designated trails.
Entry is $3 per day for a family or group of up to four adults, and children under 16 get in free. It’s cash or check only, so bring exact change. An annual refuge pass costs $12, and other federal passes are accepted.
Want to turn it into a bigger weekend? Port Angeles makes a handy base for the rest of the peninsula. Would you walk all 11 miles, or is a closer lighthouse more your speed?
Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.
Rules and fees change, so always confirm current requirements before you go.
