Seaside Trail to Dune Trail Loop

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views · Wildlife

The Seaside Trail to Dune Trail Loop is an excellent run to see a little of the ocean and a little of the freshwater Back Bay. On your run down the Seaside Trail you may see turtles and birds as you travel next to a freshwater pond and shrubby trees. Once you reach the ocean you can collect shells, look for dolphins and enjoy the peacefulness of a secluded beach on your trek to the Dune Trail.

Halfway through the dunes on this trail, you'll find a viewing platform from which you can see the ocean and the Back Bay. Be sure to stop for a look! On your return back north to the parking lot, you'll once again pass by freshwater ponds, with an opportunity to view turtles, snakes, great blue herons, and other birds.

This trail is very sunny during summer days with little to no shade. Plan accordingly for this run.

The Seaside Trail out to the beach is very bumpy and uneven so runners should be cautious. The best time to run on the beach is low tide, when hard-packed sand is exposed near the water. The Dune Trail is a nice boardwalk trail but fairly narrow so please be aware of other visitors.

The Seaside Trail begins just next to the visitor center and parking areas. A wooden boardwalk takes runners through the sand dunes and out onto the beach. To continue to the loop trail, turn right and run south along the beach. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere while looking for dolphins, pelicans and other wildlife. You may see fishermen along the way as well.

Approximately a third of a mile from the Seaside Trail, follow the Dune Trail sign and run over the first dune to access the trail. Continue on the boardwalk and enjoy the view from the platform halfway through the dunes. Once you exit the Dune Trail boardwalk, take a right and continue north to the visitor center and parking lot on the gravel path.

A variety of wildlife can be seen throughout the year. Birds that can be seen on this trail in the summer include brown pelicans, sanderlings, and gulls. Dolphins may also be seen swimming in the ocean.

Visitors also experience the fragile dune ecosystem. Flora that can be seen on this run include wax myrtles, Virginia meadow beauty, trumpet vines, Virginia creepers, and sea oats.

Fun Fact: The dunes you see are man-made structures. Around the time of the establishment of the wildlife refuge the Civilian Conservation Corps (part of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal) planted dune grasses and constructed dune fencing to build up dunes in this area. Almost a century later, the dunes have completely cut off ocean washover to Back Bay and are now an ecosystem in their own right.