Metro Parks Tacoma

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Point Defiance Park

Features You'll Find:
Hover over an icon for more details
  • ADDITIONAL FEATURES
    • Art & Artifacts
    • Bike Trail
    • Drinking Fountain
    • Environmental Education
    • Gift Shop
    • Historic
    • Parking Stalls
    • Parking Stalls / ADA
    • Restroom / Seasonal
    • Restroom / Year Round
    • Trail / Hard
    • Trail / Soft
  • BUILDINGS & PICNIC SITES
    • Barbecue
    • Kitchen
    • Meeting Space
    • Party Room
    • Picnic / Drop in
    • Picnic / Reservable
    • Weddings / Rentals
  • SWIMMING
    • Beach
  • BOATING & FISHING
    • Boat Launch / Drive Up
    • Boat Launch / Walk Up
    • Boat Lockers
    • Boat Moorage
    • Fishing Pier
  • NATURAL FEATURES
    • Display Garden
    • Lake / Pond
    • Natural Areas
    • Puget Sound
    • Stream / River
    • Viewpoint
    • Waterfront
  • DOGS
    • Off Leash Dog Park
  • PLAYGROUNDS
    • Playground (5-12 yrs)
  • SPORTS
    • Tennis
Hours:

Open ½ hour before sunrise
Close ½ hour after sunset

Restroom Schedule

5400 N. Pearl St.
Tacoma, WA 98407

Get Directions

This 702-acre park is a popular destination for about two million people each year. Natural forest, saltwater beaches and spectacular views offer numerous possibilities for recreation, education and communing with nature.

LEARN MORE ABOUT POINT DEFIANCE
Point Defiance Lodge Visitor Center Point Defiance Lodge Visitor's Center - Closed until summer 2013
Open 10 am-5 pm Saturday & Sunday throughout the summer
Tour interpretive exhibits and talk with a park ambassador.
Destination Point Defiance Logo  Destination Point Defiance 
This long-term planning initiative by Metro Parks will enhance the experience and honor the character of this local treasure by improving access throughout the Park to the waterfront, creating year-round activities and stewarding the Park's natural and historic resources. Learn more at a Community Conversation the third Thursday of each month.
EQC Taste of Tacoma 2012 Artwork Text To Give - Want to show your love for Point Defiance Park? CLICK HERE to find out how.
Old Car at Entry to Point Defiance Park History - President Andrew Johnson originally set aside Point Defiance Park as a military reservation, although it never was home to military operations. A bill authorizing Tacoma to use the reserve as a public park was approved in 1888 by President Grover Cleveland.
Group at Project Planning Meeting in Point Defiance Park Preserving the Park for Future Generations 
• Point Defiance Park Master Plan (Aug. 2007)
• Point Defiance Park Forest Stewardship Plan (Jun. 30, 2010)
• Park Improvements

Dogs Off-Leash Demonstration Area - Approximately 7 acres located in the former Madrona Day Camp area on Five Mile Drive south of Fort Nisqually. Just the roadway and waterfront bluff area are fenced as well as about 1/8 acre area for smaller dogs. 

Gardens - Thematic gardens, including a Japanese Garden, Rose Garden and Northwest Native Garden provide a wide variety of horticultural experiences for visitors.

Go-Karts & Batting Cages - Located to the right of the entrance to Point Defiance Park.

Rental Sites -

Point Defiance Dont Feed Wildlife Sign Graphic
  • Wildlife can experience malnutrition, disease, and overpopulation due to human feeding.
  • Wildlife often exhibit aggressive behaviors when they become conditioned to expect food from people.
  • Overpopulation is a significant contributor to poor water quality and toxic algae growth, endangering public health and safety.
  • Feeding is illegal and to help curb overpopulation issues, citations will be issued for violations. Feeding carries a $532 penalty. (TMC 8.27.130)
Park Attractions to Explore:

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum

Point Defiance Marina

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Destination Point Defiance

Five Mile Drive & Trails

Greenhouse

Owen Beach

Point Defiance Lodge Visitors Center

Point Defiance Pagoda

Point Defiance Rose Garden


Events Happening Here:
  • 25 May
    Crafts of the Past
    Learn a different 19th century craft every weekend from a visiting artist. Visitors are invited to participate in a...
  • 26 May
    Crafts of the Past
    Learn a different 19th century craft every weekend from a visiting artist. Visitors are invited to participate in a...
  • 01 Jun
    Trails Day
    Celebrate National Trails Day, the largest trails celebration in the nation, by spending volunteer time working and restoring trails...
    09:00 am

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