Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

What: An easy walk along the boardwalks of the refuge.

Where: Take I-5 south past Tacoma to exit 114, cross under the freeway and follow the signs to the refuge.

Length: 4 miles roundtrip

Difficulty: Easy.

Beginning elevation: 10 feet

Elevation gain: None.

Permit: $3 entrance fee

Map: See the refuge Web site at nisqually.fws.gov.

Notes: Although parts of the Brown Farm Dike Trail are closed until Jan. 25 because of hunting restrictions (there’s no hunting in the refuge, but there is nearby), there are still enough trails and enough sights to make the refuge worth the drive for a winter hike. Hundreds of species of birds either pass through or call the refuge their winter home. And, except for the birds, the refuge is often empty this time of year.

Andy Wineke