Flattery Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, National wildlife refuge in Clallam County, Washington, United States

Flattery Rocks National Wildlife Refuge is the northernmost of three refuges in the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex, covering 125 acres (51 ha) of islands, rocks, and reefs off the Olympic Peninsula. It spans the Pacific coast between latitudes 48°02′ N and 48°23′ N, from Cape Flattery southward. The refuge is closed to the public, and a 200-yard buffer surrounds each island.

The refuge received protection in 1907 through a presidential declaration, making it one of the earliest marine reserves in the country. This early recognition set the standard for protecting marine habitats along the Pacific Coast.

Flattery Rocks takes its name from Cape Flattery, the headland at the northern end of its range, and its rocks lie within the Quileute homeland; James Island was returned to the Quileute in 1966 after being found to be part of their reservation. The refuge is closed to the public, so today it is known mainly through boat-based wildlife watching.

You can view and explore the rocks and water from the shore and nearby areas, but landing on any island or rock is not permitted. Maintaining distance helps protect nesting birds and their vulnerable breeding sites.

Flattery Rocks is the northernmost of the three refuges in the Washington Islands Wilderness, which together cover 870 islands, rocks and reefs. The wilderness was established in 1970 and spans 1.8 square kilometres of land within more than 780 square kilometres of ocean. James Island was removed from Quillayute Needles in 1966 and returned to the Quileute when it was found to lie within their reservation.