3 Best Hiking Trails in Tacoma, WA

“Point Defiance Park has a 760-acre gem which is owned and managed by Metro Parks Tacoma. The infrastructure of roads and trails that weave through the nature reserve offers a quiet getaway for joggers, cyclists, and hikers. People can see bald eagles prey on salmon flowing through the heavy tidal currents from the high cliffs surrounding the Tacoma Narrows. At Point Defiance Park, Owen Beach offers waterfront picnic shelters with barbecues, tables, and Restrooms. Point Defiance Park has an active Park Watch system to facilitate, maintain visitors safe, and protect the park's resources. The park receives more than three million visitors every year. The park also has a habitat for mule deer, red foxes, pileated woodpeckers, Douglas squirrels, and raccoons. Visitors can conveniently park for free in the three to four spaces in front of the off-leash entry gates.”

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“Swan Creek Park is an environmentally friendly space that has walking and mountain biking trails, a community garden, a wooded canyon, and upland forests. The park's total acreage is 373 acres – 290 owned by Metro Parks Tacoma and 83 owned by Pierce County. The park has five miles of renovated trails and 3.65 miles of paved pedestrian/bike paths. The elevation gain of the hiking trail is 133 meters. Metro Parks Tacoma works with various social groups and individual citizens to develop a 1-acre food forest in Swan Creek Park. When you reach the park, you can see a meeting area on the left and a public park on the right; the food forest is on the right side of the community garden. The Community Garden program has horticulture possibilities for the social and physical benefits of Tacoma people and communities.”

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“Tacoma Nature Center is a 71-acre wetland and forest area around Snake Lake, featuring trails and an adventure park. The 70-acre classroom at the center provides an interactive and practical experience for students to discover the essence of science and build a bond with the natural world. Enjoy over two miles of soft-surfaced walking trails winding through wetlands and woodland areas. There is also a half-mile outdoor route facility for wheelchairs. Their Discovery Pond is a natural playground for children to motivate creative play and ecological learning. The exhibition hall offers a clear view of the showcases and views of the nature reserve behind the venue. Visitors can enjoy more than two miles of soft-surfaced Tacoma Nature Center, which has on-site parking and on-site restroom facilities.”

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