Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge For the hiker seeking trails that offer the opportunity to witness a variety of wildlife, Dungeness Spit is heaven on earth. The refuge is a seven-mile long natural sand spit - the longest in the nation. A paradise for bird lovers, a dazzling variety of sea and land birds can be spotted feeding along the beaches. Eagles, quail and other resident or migratory wild birds are also seen throughout the area. In the tide flats, seals bask in the sun and feed on the abundant shellfish found along the shores. Near the end of the seven-mile spit sits the Dungeness Lighthouse - the oldest lighthouse north of the Columbia River, which has been guiding ships since 1857. The New Dungeness Spit derived its name from Captain George Vancouver, who named it after the Dungeness Point on the rugged coast of England where a lighthouse had stood since 1746. The Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary to more than 250 species of birds, 41 species of land mammals, and eight species of marine mammals. It provides critical habitat for a number of species - some of them threatened or endangered - and is an important stop for many birds during their migratory journey. Directions - Lodging - Details For more information, visit: Dungeness Wildlife Refuge Home Page Visit Sun - Dungeness Wildlife Refuge Department of Ecology - Dungeness Wildlife Refuge Clallam County Parks - Dungeness Wildlife Refuge