Living in Tacoma, one might take for granted the amount of beautiful beaches we have or may not even know about some of them, so we took a moment to gather information and put it to our readers – which is your favorite beach to blaze in Tacoma?
Please note – all the information provided is gleaned directly from the Metro Park Website or other associated park, please advise them via the provided links if it is incorrect – thank you!
Owen Beach – Views of Vashon Island, ferry boats and fishing craft make Owen Beach one of Point Defiance Park’s most popular destinations. Owen Beach offers waterfront picnic shelters with grills, tables, a restroom and ample free parking.
Drive to the beach along Five Mile Drive or follow the scenic waterfront promenade from the Boathouse Marina.
Owen Beach Improvements
New restrooms, a children’s play area and a second picnic shelter are among proposed changes in a $4.6 million improvement project planned to begin at Owen Beach in 2018. Learn more >
Owen Beach Picnic Shelter
Available for rent between April 1 and September 30 each year. Reservations may be made up to 365 days in advance. Learn More >
Food Concessions at Owen Beach
Open noon-7 pm daily during summer months (weather permitting)
Stranded or beached seals and sea lions
If you see a seal on the beach, give it room – at least 100 yards. It’s the law! Dogs should be leashed and kept away.
Harbor seals utilize shoreline locations as resting places for several hours every day to regulate body temperature, interact with other seals and sleep. Chasing, tormenting, molesting, capturing or feeding these animals is harassment and is prohibited.
- If you see a marine mammal being harassed contact NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline (1-800-853-1964).
- If animal has been on the beach for 48 hours or is clearly in distress (injured) contact NW marine Mammal Stranding Network (1-800-853-1964).
- Read more
Restrooms – Open 10 am to dusk year round. Restroom schedule
Kayak rentals – Kayak rentals at Owen Beach
Events Happening Here:
- 19 JAN Point Defiance Beach Cleanup Register Online Get hooked on helping at these cleanup events held every 3rd Saturday at the Point Defiance…
09:00 am - 16 FEB Point Defiance Beach Cleanup Register Online Get hooked on helping at these cleanup events held every 3rd Saturday at the Point Defiance…
09:00 am - 16 MAR Point Defiance Beach Cleanup Register Online Get hooked on helping at these cleanup events held every 3rd Saturday at the Point Defiance…09:00 am
Tacoma Narrows Park – This “off the beaten path” location is one of the peninsula’s best-kept secrets. This 35.0-acre property has 1,315 feet of sandy-rock beach that faces onto the Narrows Passage with excellent views of the Narrows Bridge and Tacoma. The 6.0-acre waterfront area has a paved parking area, grassy play and picnic area, picnic tables, non-motorized boat launch, telescopes, and gazebo overlook.
Park Rules: Please see the attached link for PenMet Parks Park Use Regulations.
Please see the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife attached link for fishing and shell fishing regulations and
seasons http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations.
For any questions, please contact us at 253-858-3400.
Dash Point Park – Washington water fans, look no further! Bust out your kayak, sand bucket, swimsuit or fishing rod, and head straight for Dash Point State Park!
Hidden in plain sight between Seattle and Tacoma, this park offers miles of forested hiking and biking trails, but its main draw is the beach. The shoreline narrows at high tide, bringing anglers out to its pier. Low tide turns the sand flats into a play destination for locals, families with children and hip skim boarders surfing the shallow water.
Dash Point has become a hotspot for skim boarding, which consists of throwing a small, thin board into shallow water, jumping onto it and riding it like a cross between a surf board and a skateboard. Low tide at Dash Point provides ideal conditions for this activity, and this is a popular place for skim boarding camps, competitions and gatherings on the park’s sandy shores.
While boarders chase the ultimate ride, birders can see a multitude of shore birds and raptors. Beach explorers will find starfish and crabs. Budding botanists can identify a rich variety of trees, plants and flowers.
Whether you’re out for an afternoon or a camping trip, whether you’re watching your kids, the birds or the boarders, you’ll be delighted by this oasis tucked between two urban hubs.
PARK FEATURES
Dash Point State Park is set on the Puget Sound in western Washington and is a popular destination for water recreation. This 461-acre camping park features 3,301 feet of saltwater shoreline. The beach provides unobstructed views of Puget Sound and opportunities for sea-life study. The sandy beach at the park is a relaxing beach getaway near the cities of Seattle, Tacoma and Federal Way.
Alcohol is allowed only in the campground, by registered campers of legal age, in their campsite only. It is not allowed in any other areas of the park.
ADA AMENITIES/FACILITIES
- Campground
- Restroom
Use our interactive ADA recreation map to search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities.
PICNIC & DAY-USE FACILITIES
There are two covered picnic shelters in the park that are reservable. The park provides 20 unsheltered picnic tables available first come, first served.
ACTIVITIES
TRAILS
- 8 miles of biking trails
- 11 miles of hiking trails
WATER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
- Beach exploration
- Fishing (saltwater)
- Kayaking
- Skimboarding
- Swimming
OTHER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
- Amphitheater
- Beach exploration
- Bird watching
- Kite flying
- Mountain biking
- Wildlife viewing
INTERPRETIVE OPPORTUNITIES
Interpretive events are held June through August. Fridays and Saturdays there are evening amphitheater programs. Fridays through Sundays there are day walks and talks. Times and subjects are posted at the park.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Clamming is not recommended.
- A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- Printable park brochure (PDF).
Titlow Beach – The extensive beach frontage and estuary lagoon serve as the focal point to park visitors. Other site amenities include tennis and basketball courts, playfields, trails, spraygrounds, playgrounds and picnic areas. The historic Titlow Lodge, formerly the Hotel Hesperides, constructed in 1911 is a central feature of the park.
The park is 75 acres
Titlow Park has been a jewel on Tacoma’s west side for more than 100 years. With westerly views of the Narrows Bridges and the Olympic Mountains, the beach at this 75 acre park is claimed to be the best sunset-watching spot in Tacoma.
Sprayground
Come splash, play and cool off! Admission is free. Sprayground Hours
Playground
Titlow Park’s playground was updated in 2013. Get Play Area Accessibility Info
Rental Venues
- Picnic Shelter Rentals
Learn More - Titlow Lodge Rentals
Learn More
School Groups
Nature education opportunities Held at Titlow Park provided by Tacoma Nature Center
Park Improvements
Since the creation of a Master Plan for Titlow Park, a variety of improvements have been made, a more may still be to come. Learn about Titlow Park improvements.
Conduct in this Park (Tacoma Municipal Code 8.27)
Tacoma Police Dept. – Emergency call 911. Non-emergency call (253) 798-4721
- Smoking is prohibited within all areas of the park.
- Fires are allowed only in park installed or portable barbecues.
- Feeding or disturbing any bird or animal in the park is prohibited.
- Dogs must be on a leash. Please clean up after your pet.
- Display, possession, or consumption of alcohol is prohibited.
Seals/Sea Lions on the Beach
Do not disturb seals and sea lions – it’s the law!
Harbor seals utilize shoreline locations as resting places (haul-outs) for several hours every day to regulate body temperature, interact with other seals and sleep. Seal pups are born in the spring and summer and need time ashore.
Report a stranded marine mammal
Help keep this park clean, green and safe!
Volunteer your time, services and support to enhance this park.
Park Attractions to Explore:
Events Happening Here:
- 21 JANMLK Day of ServiceA way to honor Martin Luther King, Jr’s life and teachings is by engaging in community action that continues to solve…
09:00 am - 09 FEBFamily Nature Walk – Titlow ParkExplore Tacoma’s Parks during this free naturalist-led walk. Discover amazing plants and animals and how they adapt to the seasons…
01:00 pm - 11 MAYFamily Nature Walk – Titlow ParkExplore Tacoma’s Parks during this free naturalist-led walk. Discover amazing plants and animals and how they adapt to the seasons…
10:00 am
Current News
- 01 MAYTitlow Park Master Plan Kickoff – Outdoors!Tell us about features you like or don’t like throughout the park with a smartphone app. The public…
- 01 MARFoss Waterway Seaport hosts Metro Parks Tacoma waterfront open houseCoinciding with museum’s free Third Thursday, presentations and displays will highlight Dickman Mill Park, Ruston Way, other waterfront projects…
- 16 NOVBNSF Railway Foundation gives $25,000 to help restore Titlow Park lagoonSouth Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group spearheads effort to improve fish habitat The BNSF Railway Foundation has donated…
Dickman Mill Park – Located on Ruston Way along the Commencement Bay waterfront, Dickman Mill Park opened in July 2001.
A Brief History
The Dickman Lumber Mill operated at this location continuously from the 1890’s until 1974. It was the last in a long tradition of lumber mills on Tacoma’s “”Old Town”” waterfront to close down. Following a fire in 1979, the remnants of the mill slowly deteriorated. Metro Parks acquired the site in the early 1990s and the site was rehabilitated and developed as a new public park.
At Dickman Mill Park, all that’s left of Tacoma’s heritage as the “Lumber Capital of the World” are some concrete foundations, remnants of the docks and a sign explaining the history of one of the busiest mills on the waterfront.
Generous Gift to Restore the Head Saw
Cambia Health Solutions, the parent company of Regence BlueShield, is making a significant community gift to Metro Parks Tacoma to restore a 15-ton throwback to Tacoma’s history – the last known “head saw” in Washington.
Now the saw is destined to return to its original home on Tacoma’s waterfront, which today features more than 2 miles of parks and is one of the most popular attractions in the region. The project is expected to take two to three years to design, obtain permits and build.
Early concept drawing of Dickman Mill Park improvements.
PARK IMPROVEMENTS
| Dickman Mill Park Expansion & Head Saw An extension of the existing Dickman Mill Park. This is to restore and publicly display the historic Head Saw and provide plaza space with expanded decking for viewing.Click here to view status. |
Current News
- 04 OCTThe Ruston Way waterfront: Tacoma’s front yardUpcoming public workshop, open house to focus on its future Few places in Tacoma are more popular…
- 01 MARFoss Waterway Seaport hosts Metro Parks Tacoma waterfront open houseCoinciding with museum’s free Third Thursday, presentations and displays will highlight Dickman Mill Park, Ruston Way, other waterfront projects…
- 01 JULHealth care company founded in Tacoma marks its centennial with major gift to the communityCambia Health Solutions’ gift celebrates the city’s lumber industry heritage At Dickman Mill Park, all that’s left of…
Located on the water’s edge in Old Town, this park was renamed for a former Tacoma mayor and leader in developing the Ruston Way waterfront.
HISTORY
Jack Hyde Park was initially purchased by the City of Tacoma from the Tacoma Boatbuilding Company in 1972. The park expanded to five acres with additional land purchases in 1973 and 1976. Old Town dock, which is part of the overall park area, was originally acquired before World War I. Read more about the history of Jack Hyde Park on Commencement Bay.
Current News
- 11 FEBAdvisory Lifted at Jack Hyde ParkThe Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department lifted the advisory recommending that people not swim or wade at Jack Hyde Park on.
Sunnyside Beach – This beachfront park is one of two Steilacoom parks with access to the shoreline. The views of the Sound are spectacular, especially on a sunny day. You can also catch a glimpse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in the distance. The park is scattered with benches which offer peaceful moments of introspection. Jellyfish can be spotted along the shore and shell collectors can enjoy themselves hunting their treasures.
For underwater divers this is a great beginner site or place to practice those skills due to the lack of protruding objects, the easy entry and it is not current sensitive.
Use caution when near the railroad tracks. No vehicles are allowed across the RR tracks
$5/vehicle parking fee for non-residents.
Alcohol is prohibited in outdoor areas
Park hours: Open ½ hour before sunrise and close ½ hour after sunset.
This park has 11 features:
BBQ Grills
Benches
Disabled Access
Drinking Water Access
Picnic Tables
Playground and swings
Restrooms
Showers
Trails & Sidewalks
Volleyball Court
1,400 ft of saltwater shoreline
This park has 1 rental facility:
Picnic Shelters – With Cooking Facilities
So, whether you are looking to smoke a quick joint or enjoy dabbing all day, which beach do you prefer, Tacoma?
One final note. My adult daughter who is not fond of cannabis smoke asked if I could include the statement: “Please be aware of others around you and smoke where you aren’t in everyone’s space”. Good advice, kid.
Now, which beach to chose for your next blaze?
