Point Defiance Park is one of the best hiking trails in Tacoma. The park has a 760-acre gem and is an urban oasis in Tacoma. Point Defiance Park 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.
UNIQUE FACTS:
• Wheelchair Accessible
• Picnic Tables Available
• Playground Swings Available.
3 Best Hiking Trails in Tacoma, WA
Expert recommended Top 3 Hiking Trails in Tacoma, Washington. All of our hiking trails actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence.
POINT DEFIANCE PARK REVIEWS
Beautiful place to visit. A few people were having their pictures done here. So nice to see so many beautiful flowers in different stages of growth and colors. The layout was really easy to walk through. Such a lovely space. There were four deer when I was leaving and they were close to traffic, but people got some pictures. Such a delight. Definitely a must for nature lovers and people who love flowers..
This area was beautiful! There were multiple trails to choose from and most of them were fairly long so you could go for a long walk or just part of the trail for a short one. The scenery is so pretty - everything is green and mossy. There were trail map signs as you entered a trail from the road. Beautiful trails that we enjoyed wandering around on.
This is the coolest park. It has a ton of amazing hiking trails. The beach area is so huge with lots of stuff for the kids to do. The mountain bike trails are insane. I wish I could have seen someone riding them. It's hard to describe how nice it is, so just check it out for yourself.
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Swan Creek Park is an environmentally friendly space between East Tacoma and Pierce County. The park 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.
UNIQUE FACTS:
• Has Dog Park
• Picnic Tables Available
• Parking Available.
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Working Hours:
Close ½ Hour After Sunset
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SWAN CREEK PARK REVIEWS
If you're looking for a getaway into Washington's mossy, magical forests, but don't have time to drive three hours east or west into our state or national parks, may I recommend Swan Creek? This is a park with plenty to do for those who love to get active outdoors. Mountain biking paths, kids interactive play area and an off-leash dog run. The best part is the secluded trails that take you far and away from the big city noise into the trees down to the river before bringing you back up to civilization. It's a fantastic way to take a break from the day to day when you need a reset with Mother Nature.
Second time coming here for nature and walking. I love how big this park is. So many trails to walk on. And there's a creek, hence the name. I love the off beaten paths and trails that are riddled with ferns and fallen trees. Gives off the impression that you're deep in the woods and not in a neighborhood park.
Really cool park with long, winding trails that follow the creek. There's a section with plenty of paved trails for those who aren't into the occasional mud, and a community garden with folks working on their crops whenever the weather is nice. I'm always amazed that there aren't more people on this trail.
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Tacoma Nature Center is one of the well-maintained trails in Tacoma, WA. This 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.
UNIQUE FACTS:
• Enjoyable Experience
• Play Slides Available
• Marked and Maintained Paths.
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TBR® Inspection Report:
TACOMA NATURE CENTER REVIEWS
My toddler had so much fun here! We didn't even get a chance to go inside the building because they were closed but we had so much to do outside it is totally worth another trip to explore more. We spent a lot of our time at the point and play area and we go a chance to walk the trails. The little one loved the bridges and seeing the ducks. Even has stopping points to read a sign and learn.
If you’re looking for a quick family walk the nature trails are great. There are a couple loops, both of which have bridges and lots of gorgeous trees. The nature center is also very cute. The kids loved the activities and seeing the turtles in the tank. Definitely worth a visit if you need to fill a couple hours and get outside.
Nice little walk in the nature, but you can still hear the cars almost all through out the walk around the forest. Walkway is not paved but still stroller accessible. Saw some turtles and pretty birds. Nature center was closed but the nature inspired playground outside was still a hit with our kids who love to climb.
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