Picture yourself walking your dog down a peaceful beach on a Wednesday evening or at the same beach on a Saturday afternoon, wiping ice cream off your kids' faces. If these thoughts make you smile, Tolmie could be your state park.
Set on a spit in a cove, Tolmie State Park is remarkably close to Olympia, Tacoma and the communities in between. Backed by a forest, the park's main draw is the beach, with calm waters for pint-sized waders. The area is filled with families on summer weekends, but it can be quiet during the week, and its shaded trails provide more than 3 miles of hiking.
Looking to dig up some dinner? Bring your muck boots and permits, check the tides and get out on the flats, because clamming is big here, as are crabbing and saltwater fishing. Use one of the park's fire pits to make a fresh outdoor meal. Your inner child may be so happy at Tolmie, you could end up wiping ice cream smears off your own face.
PARK FEATURES Tolmie State Park is a 154-acre, marine day-use park with 1,800 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound.
The park offers a variety of beach activities and an underwater park that contains an artificial reef built in cooperation with scuba divers. Tolmie also features a saltwater marsh and abundant wildlife.
ADA AMENITIES/FACILITIES
Restroom
Hiking trail
PICNIC & DAY-USE FACILITIES
The park provides two kitchen shelters with electricity, plus 11 sheltered and 20 unsheltered picnic tables. Kitchen shelters include picnic tables, water, sinks, and grills. Both kitchen shelters can accommodate up to 50 guests. Due to limited parking, only one shelter may be reserved at a time. Early reservations are recommended. Visitors are encouraged to carpool. To reserve a kitchen shelter, call the park at (360) 456-6464.
ACTIVITIES
TRAILS
3 miles of hiking trails
WATER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
Boating (no watercraft launch)
Clamming
Crabbing
Diving
Fishing (saltwater)
Swimming
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Beach exploration
Bird watching
Fire circles (2)
Wildlife viewing
BOATING FEATURES
The park has no watercraft launch, but does provides five mooring buoys.
