This park is gorgeous! My husband and I came here to walk our dog and man what a walk it was. We got a little carried away and got off trail where our dog stuck his nose into a wasps nest. Of course the wasps came out with a vengeance. Other than that though the park was awesome. Free parking! There's also a playground for kids. A great park for all to enjoy. :) read more

See all

So much to do and see here. From Fort Nisqually living history museum to the Rose Garden the herb garden and also the Waterfront Trail. A large place to revisit! read more

One of the largest parks in the world a place you have to see in the spring time as the flowers start to bloom best time to come would be around June or throughout the summer months with the Rose garden starts to bloom the daffodils tulips the rhododendrons garden and then the Rose-garden and the dahlias and Fuchsia-gardens come To see the Eagles and the dears playing throughout the park ride your bikes and walk the paths no more beautiful place then here having a picnic read more

FREE entertainment! Does it get better than that? Moreover, it's BEAUTIFUL there!!! GORGEOUS flowers, trees, and a beach! A few things to do with kids: Feeding Ducks: not a good idea :( Find different rocks on Owens Beach, be sure to walk all the way up too. There are lots of cute sayings on the sidewalk part leading to Anthony's. Can be crazy on the beach when it's really nice out, lots of dogs too. Play Hide and Seek in the rose gardens! Drive 5 Mile and find a picnic spot. So pack a meal. :) So many beautiful spots to choose! Have a show by the statue when you first enter. It's the perfect "stage". Ok, that's what my kids and I like to do anyway. They're young so it's easy fun for now! There is also a picnic area with toy equipment. Have been to a couple of birthday parties there, what an inexpensive idea! One even had a jumpy toy rented for there, you'd have to set that up yourself of course. :) Reservations are also needed, if I remember correctly! read more

Now is a great time to visit the gardens at Point Defiance park... the Rose Garden is my favorite garden. Check out the pix I just added here. read more

See all

One of the coolest parks in Tacoma. Plenty of things to keep you busy during the summer months. Kayak and paddle boat rental at Owen beach, zoo, aquarium, parks, rose garden, The list goes on. read more

Point Defiance Park - Owen beach - Parks Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I've lived here for 4 years and this park still amazes me. My mom recently came to visit and she was absolutely taken away by the beauty that this park is able to show of Washington. She loved the view of the mountain, the water, the ferry, the Wildlife, the 5 mile drive, the viewpoints, and the trees that just engulf you as you drive through the park! While on the 5 mile drive we were able to witness breathtaking sunrays through the trees and just couldn't help but to pull on the side of the road and take some photos! I will never get sick of this park! It's beautiful during every season at any time of day!!! read more

See all

Fantastic park. Owens Beach is beautiful and a must see. Lots of walking paths and trees for days. It's worth the 5 star rating. read more

Point Defiance Park - View from Owens Beach - Parks Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

This is my new favorite go-to location for doing portraits in the Tacoma area. There is such a nice variety of scenery including a Japanese garden, pond, beach, and so much more! I can always find some beautiful areas that are out of the way of visitors because the park is so big. Kudos to the park maintenance people who keep it in good shape for the many visitors who come to the park! read more

See all

They have done a good job of keeping folks socially distanced. The zoo is a nice place to visit for families and I am excited for things to get back fully open to enjoy it to the fullest. read more

Just like another other zoo but they had tigers and I've never seen those before just mainly lions in a lot of the zoos but it was fun and my kids loved it. read more

I love the off leash dog park!! There are typically a good amount of dog owners there and if no one shows up.. you have tons of trails to walk with your four legged friend. So convenient.. read more

I don't really care for the zoo but let me tell you this is one of the best zoos and aquariums I've ever gone to the animals were clean healthy vibrant there were so many trees I felt like I was walking around a wildlife preserve The price point for the zoo and aquarium I think it was like 15 bucks we really enjoyed ourselves had been to the zoo in many year But whenever I visit Washington this will be the the place to come read more

This park is huge and beautiful. I could spend all day here. There are beaches and different park areas and a zoo/aquarium. You could probably spend days here, there's so much to do. read more

Point Defiance is awesome - I only wish there was a charge to use it to encourage more people to care for the place. It's ridiculous to see garbage cans overflowing - if it doesn't fit, take it with you!!! Also, at Owens Beach, you'll notice erosion causing trees to fall down the cliffs, but people still add to the problem by climbing up to etch their names in the sand....Please stop! On a positive note, the running trails are nice and the off-leash dog area will hopefully expand soon (at least provide garbage cans). read more

This is a nice place to get away from reality for a bit and take a nice walk along the beach (Owen Beach). This is after walking amongst the flower gardens. Beautiful landscaping around this neck of the woods. Fort Nisqually took me back to a simpler time with its all-wood structure. There are also trails here so you can get your walking or biking in. Alot of enertainment for one price. read more

Great place to hike! Lots of wildlife and I can find a lot of peace here. It is incredibly well mainrained!

Love, love, love Pt. Defiance Park in Tacoma! This park is connected to the zoo and aquarium, and there are so many other things to do and see there as well. The park has a beautiful landscape that includes a large pond with ducks and fish, and there's also a stunning rose garden that is definitely fun to stroll through. Plus, if you go to Pt. Defiance during the last weekend in June, you'll get to enjoy the infamous Taste of Tacoma, which is definitely a tasty event! Aside from the beautiful park, there is also a beach-front area, which is a blast to visit. You can hang out on the beach or go for a walk in the sand or on the boardwalk. In addition to that, there is also a scenic drive called "5-mile drive," which is a true depiction of a Washington State forest. There are lots of little places to stop along the drive... many of them with breath-taking views! My favorite spot overlooks the Puget Sound and has a view of the Narrows Bridge, which connects Tacoma to Gig Harbor. There are trails all around 5-mile drive so if you have time I would encourage you to explore... or better yet, bring your picnic basket and make a day of it at the park and the beach and along the trails followed by a relaxing drive. Ahhh... this is my kind of place! It blows my mind that something this beautiful can be found in the city. With all that being said, if you haven't been to Pt. Defiance yet, you need to check it out read more

See all

Point Defiance? More like, Point Delightful (Place to Walk Your Dog)! Ha! Just park anywhere in the five mile drive through the heavenly Redwood Forest portion of the park and head out on a trail...it is doggie and human paradise. I believe the park is *technically* on leash but who's telling? Unless you are a lousy narc and then I've never walked a dog off leash in an on leash park EVER. i also love bloody red meat and am a virgin. read more

I suppose it is time to pay tribute to the place that has provided me and my friends with epic amounts of enjoyment/protection from the police over the last 8 years. Whether we're wandering around the zoo after *content deleted*, enjoying the wide array of animals and trying to avoid stepping on little children or running through the endless woods naked having just eaten *content deleted*, Point Defiance will always be the go to spot when we're bored. I especially love visiting on a day tht's overcast and drizzling, when 90% of Tacoma thinks going outside is unacceptable, and the park is virtually empty. Owen's beach is very nice, although more often then not it is booked up by a Church or Cult of some kind, which has perks too, I suppose. In the end, while renting one of the picnic areas is a real treat for a big group, it's best to just show up early with a bunch of people, claim several of the bbq pits, and just spend the day pretending the outside world doesn't exist. I neglected to mention what my absolute favorite part of Point Defiance is... I know it's kind of lame of me...But since I first got a out here from Minnesota, I've been utilizing Five Mile Drive at least once or twice a week. Something about driving 15 miles an hour through a little slice of the world that really shouldn't have cars at all helps me to relax and unwind after a crappy day at work. I also enjoy *content deleted* while listening to music and losing myself amongst the trees. **Quick note - If you see the prick who feeds cheez-its to the raccoons out of his van, call the cops - I don't care if he's the loneliest man on Earth, he's a toolbox who never learned lesson one on interacting with nature. read more

I cannot return to Tacoma without a visit to Point Defiance. By my estimation, it's Washington's answer to Vancouver's Stanley Park and you'd be remiss if you visited Tacoma without strolling, biking, or even just driving through Point Defiance. There are a few different areas to the Park, each with their own merits (or demerits), here's my take: + Duck Pond / Rose Garden / Dahlia Trial Garden / etc: The main grassy area and fenced in gardens when you drive into the Park. The pond is a great place to lay out and picnic on a sunny day. Everyone strolls through the rose garden, a miniature version of Portland's famous rose garden, and you'll often see weddings held at its fringes. There are also a trove of mini-gardens showcasing a broad array of fuschia, and other flowers I can't remember the names of, mostly because I blur by them to the DAHLIAS. The Dahlia Trial Garden, cultivated by the Washington State Dahlia Society is so breathtaking you'd have to be color AND texture blind to not be taken by the different types, colors, and sizes of dahlias. From white to deep burgundy, cotton ball sized to bigger-than-my-head, I end up with hundreds of dahlia photos on every trip, rivalling the number of cupcake photos I also inevitably take. - Japanese Garden and Pagoda : Another wedding site, usually for receptions and the like, the pagoda is a pretty piece of Asian architecture but the garden next to it is so poorly cared for that it's really not worhth a look. + 5-Mile Drive/Bike : A beautiful, calming drive that will take you past the beach parking, hydrangea, and other gardens, as well as a great view of the Tacoma Narrows bridges and Vashon island. The drive cuts through dense forest - a very rainforest-y feel were it not for the visible road and photography points. If you're a proficient cyclist this also makes for a wonderful bike excursion. + Beach : There's an official name for this beach, I can't recall it, but suffice to say it's the only real beach-area. On great weekends you'll see kayakers, perhaps the odd scuba diver. Park in the lot here to walk along the water, the cement sidewalk is decorated with quotes and poems etched in or scattered with leaf imprints and the like. If it's low tide, walk along the beach and see what sea creatures and detritus has washed up. Or just sit and watch the ferry through the fog and on a sunny day, all the recreational boaters. +/- Zoo and Aquarium: I'm not a big advocate of zoos, but a visit with my nephew left him pretty thrilled so I'd say this zoo is decent. + Dock/Harbor area: What's really neat about this area is not the ferry or boats that currently inhabit the area but the history of the area - there used to be big industrial smokestacks and the like all along the waterway, right by the harbor. Reflect on how much poison is just under the surface of the harbor walls while you're waiting to board the ferry Tacoma was one of the first superfund sites that helped the EPA get started decades ago. read more

I honestly don't know where to start with this place... It's freakishly huge, and freakishly amazing. -Go Karts for $7 -Batting Cages for $2 -Relaxing lawn space -Rose Gardens -Ponds -Trails -5 mile drive -Owens beach -Kayaking -Waterfront strolling -Elevated waterfront viewpoints -Picnicking I mean. Really. Maaaaaassive. This is definitely for the adventurer. I beg anyone who wants an entertaining sunny afternoon to give this place a go. Not only that, but it's low key enough that you won't feel inclined to bring around studded hiking boots, bear mace, or a machete to feel safe. read more

This is a great park full of virgin forest and is a great place to bird watch. I found myself chasing after a Pileated Woodpecker and next thing I knew I was lost. Yes I got lost in a park in the middle of a city. Worse yet I turned out to be about 20 feet from the path. This place is that dense. So be carefull and stay on the path or carry a whistle if you go off-road. But most of all enjoy this gem. read more

I love this beautiful piece of heaven on earth. There is so much to do and see around here that you can easily spend an entire day. The grounds are amazingly well kept and absolutely gorgeous. My favorite photography subjects are flowers and butterflies and the rose gardens are a wonderful relaxing setting for that. I love that everywhere about this park is dog friendly. We were able to take our dog out to the beach and let him play and swim for a bit. I could probably go on and on about how wonderful this place truly is, but it's better if you just go see it for yourself. read more

This is a beautiful park. I stopped by on a brief trip to Tacoma, and basically just dropped by to drive around. I didn't visit the zoo, but I did go to Owen Beach. It is beautiful. It's an amazing place, you feel like you're out in the middle of the forest. Go down to the beach, sit on a driftwood log, and watch the boats go by. Seriously, it's awesome. read more

This is my hands down favorite park around Puget Sound. There's way too much to do here in a single day and it's the best place to bring a family with diverse interests. Aside from the obvious, and excellent, Zoo & Aquarium, there are Go-Karts and batting cages, putt-putt golf and picnic spots galore, a five mile drive through forests, with lots of scenic overlooks onto Puget Sound and a great beach, Owen Beach, which has lots of driftwood and picnic spots and places to soak up the sun. I have a bucket of very cool polished black beach rocks from here. Then there's the logging museum and the short but fun ride on the train through an old logging camp, plus Never Never Land where a huge Humpty Dumpty greets you sitting on a stack of books. There used to be more in Never Never Land, but vandals destroyed a lot. The giant shoe and several other structures are left and restored and little kids still have a blast playing here. There are also miles and miles of forested trails and Fort Nisqually, which is one of the most awesome LIVING history sites in the area. An entire day is easily spent here - just be sure to leave before it gets dark. The park closes at sunset. read more

Yes, Point Defiance is really nice. I visited for the 1st time on a date. You can see Gig Harbor, Seattle and Vashon Island from the park. It's pet and child friendly. Great for a long walk or even a hike through the trails. read more

We love the trails here! My daughter, who is only 21 months, loves walking these trails, too! She did over two miles. If you're looking for more of a challenge, there are plenty of switchbacks that lead to a sandy beach! Great family day! read more

I LOVE PDP! The single place where you can find the most entertainment (and cheap, if not free!). My favorites are the 5 mile loop (drive, jog, bike), Owens beach and kayaking on the sound! I actually went kayaking on the 4th of July with a few friends. I was planning on doing a single, but one of my friends can't swim and had a fear of water (I'm so sadistic!) so I decided to do a double with him. The plan was to kayak over on the other side (vashon?) and back under 1 hour. We would have made it if my friend wasn't so deathly scared everytime a boat induced wave came at us! lol. We were literally less than 200 meters away but had to turn back if we were to make it in time. I'd advise anyone planning to kayak to wear SWIM WEAR! I brought shorts and a shirt and got totally soaked by the end of the journey (I might as well should have capsized in the water!). Or atleast an extra set of clothes read more

This is by far my favorite park south of Seattle. It's located right in north Tacoma by the water where Pearl street ends. As you enter there's a large meadow and pond where you can find people hanging out on a blanket, reading in he shade or watching the ducks. The park is beautiful, clean, expansive and has something for everyone. It's got a zoo as well for those interested. We love taking walks on Owens beach throughout the year or when it's really hot in the summer hanging out at the picnic tables right bayside. Kids are always playing and splashing in the water - the views of the sound are beautiful. There's a fabulous 5 mile drive that I have been taking drives on since high schools when I need to clear my head, it's like being in the woods for a few minutes, very quaint. My family loves coming to the park for bbqs and even birthday celebrations at the picnic areas with shade from old and large trees with the parks little inhabitants like squirrels and deer that come around, at a distance time to time. The parking is free and abundant, covered picnic tables are available as well and there's also a flower garden and pagoda available for rent/events. This is definitely my favorite part of Tacoma although there are multiple wonderful gems it has to offer. read more

See all

Gorgeous park. Its like the Golden Gate Park of Tacoma. They have hiking, beaches, gardens, trails, a zoo, soon to be an aquarium and most of it is free! Parking can be tough on weekends but there is a lot to do, see and explore. A must for locals and visitors to the area. read more

WATCH OUT!!! Several breakins today. My car and others were broken into while at the dog park with valuables stolen. No park police around to help. read more

This is a gorgeous well kept park. Pet friendly too. Especially in the summer. Lots of trials & the beach make for an all day adventure. I only wish the visitors center was actually open & the store down in Owen beach & fort nisqually living fort would be open a little later, especially in the summer time. Either way it's easy to spend the entire day out there. read more

Big beautiful park with trails, a beach, aquarium and zoo. I still haven't had a chance to explore it all yet! I took my dog and he loved it! The beach is more rocky than sandy and there were some jellyfish washed ashore. Also beware of the raccoons. There were soooooo many of them when I was driving through the park! I normally keep my dog off leash but you may want to be careful and keep in mind of the raccoons in the area. read more

although on my trip today it was raining and foggy...I had a blast at Point defiance. its nice to know that this little gem is hidden in the middle of a seemingly busy city. I will definetlly return to point defiance. it reminds me of my walks at Lapush and Forks... but much closer to OLY. read more

A very beautiful park with a lot of great scenery. This is a great spot to ride your bikes, run or have a picnic with your love one(s).

Absolutely gorgeous. Right on the water near the ferry terminal. I parked along the loop and walked down to the ferry terminal and back up the staircase behind Anthony's and around back to my car. I was there easily 2-3 hours. It was a gorgeous day so I took my time stopping along the water to take in the fresh air, sunshine, and gorgeous scenery. In the park there are really pretty trees, flowers, and trails, and historical markers. Lots to explore! Loved it. People who live in Tacoma are lucky. read more

See all

Tacoma is an interesting place. After narrowly escaping a fast approaching meth addict, we found ourselves on the open road, and eventually ended up here. It is an absolute oasis. From the waterfront views, to the botanical garden, this is a wonderful place to be on a sunny day. There are plenty of picnic tables to snack at, although watch for the copious amounts of goose droppings. I can't imagine there's anywhere more picturesque in all of Tacoma. read more

Owen Beach on a nice day? If you haven't done it, you gotta, it's a great place to beachcomb or picnic next to the water. Fun. Free public park with a zoo and aquarium attached. Deserves 6 stars. read more

Whether you go the zoo, the 5 mile drive, a hike in the woods, Owen's Beach or anywhere this Park is awesome! The wildlife in the woods will try to come steal your food if you are picnicking so just be careful of them! lol :) read more