Dungeness Spit
Sequim, WA
Dungeness Spit stretches more than five miles into the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Sequim, Washington, the longest natural sand spit in the country. Getting to the water takes a half mile through forest to an overlook, then a steep drop down to the beach itself. From there it's a long, flat walk out toward the New Dungeness Lighthouse, still operating since 1857.
The longest natural sand spit in the country and a lighthouse still running since 1857 make the walk worth it, the only real cost is that it's a genuine five mile commitment each way if you want to see it all.
Most people turn back well before the lighthouse. It's a five mile walk one way on soft sand, so budget half a day if you're planning to go all the way out and back.
Park at the refuge lot inside the Dungeness Recreation Area, reached off Kitchen-Dick Road from Highway 101. There's an entrance fee for the wildlife refuge, collected at the trailhead.
The first half mile to the overlook is a maintained forest trail, manageable for most people. After that it's a steep, unpaved drop to the spit, and the walk along the beach itself is soft sand the whole way.
Summer brings the driest, clearest days for the walk out, while fall through spring can turn the trail muddy and the wind sharp off the strait. Water stays cold year round, this is a beach for walking and birdwatching, not swimming.
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