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This Refuge is closed to the public

To prevent disturbance to extremely sensitive seabirds and marine mammals; Copalis, Flattery Rocks, and Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuges are closed to all public access and the surrounding waters within 200 yards are closed to all watercraft.

Visit Us

Aerial View of Tunnel Island in Copalis NWR
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Copalis, Flattery Rocks, and Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuges are closed to visitation to protect sensitive wildlife from human disturbance. There is a 200-yard buffer zone surrounding each island. However, there are opportunities to view wildlife with binoculars or spotting scopes from watercraft and from several beaches along the coast, including Shi Shi, Cape Alava, Rialto, Second, Ruby, and Kalaloch.

Visit Oregon Islands NWR

A large single rock outcropping surrounded by small ocean waves coming ashore at low tide
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Activities

The rocks and islands along Washington's outer coast provide vital habitat for nesting and migrating bird populations. These sentinels are home to some of the country's largest seabird breeding populations. In addition, marine mammals feed in the waters surrounding the islands and rest on the low crags. While there is a 200-yard buffer zone surrounding each island to protect sensitive wildlife, there are opportunities to view wildlife with binoculars or spotting scopes from watercraft and from several beaches along the coast, including Shi Shi, Cape Alava, Rialto, Second, Ruby, and Kalaloch.

Wildlife watching
Photography

Other Facilities in the Complex

Satellite View of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington Maritime NWRC Highlighted
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  • Flattery Rocks NWR
  • Quillayute Needles NWR
  • San Juan Islands NWR
  • Dungeness NWR
  • Protection Island NWR
Point of Arches at Sunset
Flattery Rocks National Wildlife Refuge
Scraps of land strewn at the edge of the continent, Flattery Rocks is home to a teeming diversity of life. Puffins nest in crags, while elephant seals rest on rocks, and sea otters dine off-shore. Along with Quillayute Needles and Copalis, Flattery Rocks was set aside by Teddy Roosevelt in 1907...
National Wildlife Refuge
Jagged Island
Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge
Life is tenacious on remote Quillayute Needles. Thirteen species of seabirds choose to nest and raise their young on these windswept islets, finding clever ways to adapt to the demanding habitat. Along with Flattery Rocks and Copalis, Quillayute Needles was set aside by Teddy Roosevelt in 1907...
National Wildlife Refuge
Dungeness Spit Aerial View
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge
A Haven for Wildlife — Dungeness, one of the world’s longest sand spits, shelters a bay rich in marine life. Eelgrass beds attract brant, shorebirds feed on the tideflats, and ducks find sanctuary in the calm waters. Recognizing the importance of the fertile habitats, President Woodrow Wilson...
National Wildlife Refuge
Aerial view of Protection Island NWR with Mt. Baker in the distance
Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge
An Island Paradise — in breeding season each cranny of Protection Island harbors hopeful parents and their clutch of eggs. From rhinoceros auklets in the bluff to eagles on the treetops, the Island bursts with new life. Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge provides some of the last...
National Wildlife Refuge
PECO on Rim Rocks
San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Island Wonder — Scattered pearls in a sparkling sea, the San Juan Islands nurture layers of life. Black oystercatchers scold kayakers as harbor seals lounge on sandy beaches and sea stars stalk the water’s edge. The rocks, reefs and islands of the San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge were...
National Wildlife Refuge

Locations

Copalis National Wildlife Refuge