Point Defiance Park Natural Areas
Print
Email
Save to Favorites
Much of Point Defiance Park’s wild nature remains from the early years, visible from a myriad of hiking paths (no bikes on unpaved trails) and a loop road that passes all the main sights. This loop road, Five-Mile Drive, winds through the park, offering a popular jogging, cycling, and driving route with viewpoints and picnic stops along the way. The outer loop is closed Saturday mornings (till 1 p.m.) to cars, giving joggers, cyclists, and in-line skaters free rein.
Owen Beach on Commencement Bay offers summer sun or a pleasant shoreline stroll any time of year. Rent a boat with a small motor at the Point Defiance Boathouse Marina (253/591-5325). The water off the point is popular with anglers, particularly during salmon season.
Get fishing tackle at the shop here, or stop for a meal at the popular Boathouse Grill Restaurant next door. The state ferry to Vashon Island docks here as well. Point Defiance Park (253/305-1000, www.tacomaparks.com) is open every day from sunrise to 30 minutes past sunset.
© Ericka Chickowski from Moon Washington, 8th edition
Buy Moon Travel Guides
Search
Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.