How to See the Dungeness Spit Lighthouse
Earning the View at the Dungeness Spit Lighthouse
The Dungeness Spit Lighthouse, officially known as the New Dungeness Lighthouse, has marked the entrance to Dungeness Bay since 1857, making it one of the oldest working lighthouses in Washington and one of the few you cannot drive to. To stand at its base, you either hike five miles along the Dungeness Spit Trail, arrive by boat with permission to land, or get lucky and become a volunteer lighthouse keeper for a week. That is exactly what makes visiting the Dungeness Lighthouse feel like an accomplishment instead of a quick photo stop, and the perfect anchor for a coastal getaway. Here is every way to experience it, from the classic Dungeness Spit hike and New Dungeness Lighthouse tours to watching the Dungeness Lighthouse webcam with your morning coffee.
The Dungeness Spit Lighthouse sits within the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, where the spit shelters harbor seals, migrating shorebirds, and some of the calmest waters in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It also puts you within easy reach of other things to do in Sequim. The Olympic Discovery Trail runs through town for cyclists, Hurricane Ridge and Olympic National Park are less than an hour away, and the famous Sequim lavender farms bloom every July. Our guests often plan their Dungeness Spit hike around the Dungeness Spit tides, then spend the next day enjoying fresh Dungeness crab just a few miles from where it was caught.
If you are comparing hotels in Sequim, WA for a Dungeness Spit Lighthouse getaway, location makes all the difference. Juan de Fuca Cottages sit on the water at Dungeness Bay, close enough that you can see the spit stretching toward the lighthouse before you have finished breakfast.
How to See the Dungeness Spit Lighthouse
The classic way to see the Dungeness Spit Lighthouse is to earn it on foot. The Dungeness Spit Trail begins inside the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, where a half-mile forest trail leads down to the beach. From there, it is a five-mile walk to the New Dungeness Lighthouse, making the round trip about 11 miles from the parking lot. Timing is everything. Check the Dungeness Spit tides before you go and plan your hike around low tide, when the firm wet sand provides easier footing and more beach to walk on. Allow at least five hours for the round trip, plus time at the lighthouse, and remember there is no shelter until you arrive.
There is a small entry fee per vehicle group of up to four adults. Pets are not allowed on the refuge, and everyone must leave before sunset. At the end of the hike, you will find a small museum, picnic tables, restrooms, drinking water, and free New Dungeness Lighthouse tours offered daily by volunteer keepers. Visitors can also climb the 74-step tower for views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Dungeness Bay.
If an 11-mile Dungeness Spit hike is not your idea of vacation, consider arriving by water. Olympic Coast Sailing Charters in Sequim offers seasonal New Dungeness Lighthouse tours aboard the Ingrid Princess, a classic ketch that anchors off the spit, allowing guests to go ashore for a keeper-led tour. Trips typically operate from spring through fall, with schedules determined by tides and weather. Experienced paddlers also kayak to the Dungeness Spit Lighthouse, though regulations are important. Boats may land only at the designated landing area just south of the light station during visiting hours, and advance reservations are required.
For the ultimate experience, become the keeper yourself. The New Dungeness Light Station Association runs a volunteer keeper program in which members spend a full week living at the Dungeness Spit Lighthouse after being transported there with their gear. Membership is required; the keeper’s quarters sleep up to eight people, and children six and older may participate. These coveted weeks often book well in advance, so early planning is essential.
If you would rather admire the lighthouse from afar, there is a webcam for that. A Dungeness Lighthouse webcam is an easy way to check conditions before committing to the hike, and our live Sequim webcam at Juan de Fuca Cottages overlooks Dungeness Bay with views toward the spit.
Looking for Hotels in Sequim, WA? Stay on the Water Instead
After a day exploring the Dungeness Spit Lighthouse, the walk back to your room should be short, and ours is about as close as it gets. Our cottages sit on seven waterfront acres with a private beach on Dungeness Bay, giving you front row views of the same shoreline you spent the day exploring. Most cottages include full kitchens, and The Hideaway features a private hot tub overlooking the bay. Breakfast is an optional add-on, either a quick option for an early tide departure or a chef’s-choice hot breakfast delivered to your door.
As one of the best hotels in Sequim, WA, we have everything you need for a successful lighthouse trip. Check the Dungeness Spit tides on our tides page, watch our live webcam over breakfast to size up conditions, and borrow one of our rental kayaks or paddleboards if you would rather experience the bay from the water.
Book Your Coastal Getaway Today
Celebrating a special occasion? Ask about our romance package with champagne, flowers, and chocolate-covered strawberries waiting in your cottage. Book your stay at Juan de Fuca Cottages, watch the tides, and come experience the Dungeness Spit Lighthouse for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Dungeness Spit hike?
The Dungeness Spit Trail runs about five miles one way to the New Dungeness Lighthouse, making the full round trip approximately 11 miles from the parking lot.
Where is the Dungeness Spit located?
The Dungeness Spit sits inside the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge near Sequim, Washington, on the northern Olympic Peninsula.
Where should you stay near the Dungeness Spit?
Juan de Fuca Cottages sits directly on Dungeness Bay, offering some of the closest lodging to the Dungeness Spit Trail and views of the New Dungeness Lighthouse from the property itself.
Can you tour the New Dungeness Lighthouse?
Yes. Free tours are offered daily by volunteer keepers at the end of the Dungeness Spit hike, and visitors can climb the 74-step tower for views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.