Point Defiance Park

Can't recommend this place enough. Feels more like a state or national park, rather than a local park. The woods here are an excellent hiking spot. You really feel like you're escaping the city. Great views of the water, islands, and bridge. Owen Beach is beautiful and very clean. Free entry! Unbelievable value. 👍

Extremely packed. If you go to Owens Beach, be prepared to walk up a hill if need be. currently there is construction is going on too for the zoo area. (Jun 9) Leaving the park is annoying when it's over crowded. Due to a one lane road, a singular light up the hill and the round about down the hill to the park gets congested quickly. ⚠️Don't come here if you're expecting a quick, easy, unplanned, family trip with the kids if it's hot and sunny (EVERYONE ELSE IS THINKING OF FAMILY FUN ALSO.) It's not like it used to be years ago. Also most of the park is now closed to vehicles (5mile drive.) now it's like 5 mile ride/hike on the old roads and trails. I biked it last year. With 5 miles being closed to cars it really cuts into how many people can enjoy the park now (which that's swamped quickly) versus when cars could drive it. In a way if you're biking or walking its worth it. highly limited though, for your starting point. There are still resting areas inside next to the old accessible roads with gorgeous views.

Point Defiance Park is one of the best outdoor spots I’ve visited in the Tacoma area. The hiking trails are well-maintained, quiet, and surrounded by gorgeous forest. I even spotted a deer during my walk — such a cool and unexpected moment! The views of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the Gig Harbor were amazing, and the fresh air and natural setting make it a perfect place to relax or get some exercise. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys nature and easy-to-moderate hikes. There are plenty of signs to help you navigate, and the air feels fresh and clean — a perfect break from city noise. Whether you’re into hiking, photography, or just want to stroll through nature, Point Defiance is a must-visit in the Tacoma area. I’ll definitely be coming back!

This park was truly gorgeous with a few different trails that were some ups and some Downs, we walked over 6 miles. follow the signage, stay away from cliff edges and you will end up with an amazing hike. There are bathrooms in porta potties, a small zoo, different gardens that are all just gorgeous and many many places to picnic. it is dog friendly so take your fur babies 😊

The road through it is under construction right now, so the entrance in is a bit circuitous, but there’s still plenty of spots to park and wander through the spectacular forest. Bluff top viewpoints and old growth trees galore. Owen Beach is a delight with kayak/paddle board rentals and a concession stand. We only scratched the surface in the few hours we were there. I live in Seattle and I’m a bit jealous of this park, but will be back to explore more of it.

The surroundings are absolutely stunning, with breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere that invites you to relax and unwind. It’s the perfect destination for anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to enjoy the beauty of nature up close. I was especially impressed by how well everything is maintained and how easy it is to explore the area. An unforgettable experience—I can’t wait to come back!

Specifically Owens Beach access! See water AND forests during your same Point Defiance visit! Great flatter walking if you prefer. There is a parking at water level (plus convenient restrooms). Great starting point if want to maximize elevation climb for walks. Enjoy!

Large park with a variety of destinations including a a rose garden, zoo and aquarium, walking trails, a scenic loop with incredible views of Puget sound, a living historical museum with lots of activities, and a beach to explore. Some attractions are free. Great place for the whole family.

This place is SOOOO beautiful! I actually Googled it and gathered historical information about this place. https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/special-reports/article25853656.html We saw a bunch of things jumping out of the water, but I wasn't able to verify what it was. This park is absolutely beautiful. If I lived here, I would probably be here fishing frequently. We didn't have a bunch of time because our flight leaves tonight. The children really enjoyed playing on the slide, the bathrooms were clean, and the trees are to die for! I love this place

Splendid park! On a sunny summer day in June the rose garden was in full bloom, the garden looked and smelled lovely. Every color of rose blossomed in tall hedges encircling a central gazebo. I'm not sure if I've ever seen so many types of roses all together before. Info about the roses and garden was helpfully located on a couple signs next to the gazebo. Shout out to the park gardeners and Tacoma Rose Society for their efforts! Located on the tip of Ruston in the Tacoma area, this is a jewel of a public resource and very well maintained. The grounds are expansive and like other reviewers mention, something for everyone--from gardens, walking trails, a zoo, beaches (pebbly), to water and nature activities, picnic areas, and a set of very long slides, many areas along the water with views of the surrounding shores and a glimpse of Mount Rainier on a clear day. At Owen Beach they have a modern pavilion facility available for rental for private events, kayak rental, and long shoreline along the water where people can sun bathe and also enjoy the water. There was a fair amount of people there on a Friday afternoon, about half the parking lot was filled, and there is a LOT of parking (no pun intended) compared to what I've seen at other local parks. The parking spaces are located along a hill incline so if you're parking closer to the entrance of the beach area (ie, further from the beach itself), that can mean quite a trudge back upwards on your way out. While I didn't have a chance to check out the zoo and slides yet, I'd gladly check these out if I go back!

My husband's stepmom drove us through this park. It's so lush and green with all the ferns and moss. Right in the city is a park with a whole forest with a walking trail, a beach, a Japanese garden, a flower garden and a zoo and aquarium and the only thing you have to pay for is for the zoo and aquarium. We stopped by the flower garden and saw beautiful dahlias as big as your head, banana leaf trees and a doe as we were leaving the park. Overall, a quieter visit compared to Seattle.

Point Defiance advertising for a Facilities Manager. During the process of applying, as a Veteran I felt dismissed. 8 years, active duty, 2 years reserve, Honorable discharge and I felt totally dismissed by a government program. USN. 17 years old good enough to put life on the line during Beruit, Iraq and PanamaUn fit for interview.

Just a fabulous park. Massive, with something for everyone. We stopped by to check it out recently when passing through and were quite impressed. Short on time, we ended up just walking the beach from Owen's (where we hung out a bit to watch deer feeding) to the viewpoint. We'd hoped to go on but access stopped at that point. On that day there were pretty regular, albeit minor, slides coming off of the cliffs behind us. It was a little nervy, but I'm certainly glad we did as we were treated to viewings of eagles and seals near the point. Clearly there's a lot to take in and do at this park. We'd love to stop by again the next time we're nearby. Animal and nature heaven for sure.

Gorgeous gardens, enormous trees, extensive walking trails, waterfront and pebble beach, folks of all ages, no fee... an enviable city park.

Beautiful scenery and quiet place to enjoy your day. We grew up going here as kids and love it still. They have a zoo, beach, Japanese Garden, playgrounds, duck pond, trails, and a cool Fort. Definitely check it out

Came here without a plan. Our gang was parked in queue with other people while waiting to be loaded on a ferry going to Vashon Island. I badly need to pee and boom - found a gem! It's a nice big park with lush green fields and foliage are swaying. I have not explored the while park but I was sure that this would be one of the most beautiful park in Tacoma. Kids will truly love this as there are fish ponds and flower sanctuary here and most of all a green field that they can ran freely! As per parking it's pretty plenty spaces and pretty big. Packed some food with you as this park is too pretty not to have picnic here. PS; it was just a quick one coming on this park that's why I don't give justice on how pretty this park is. Mahalo for reading and happy juandering fellow yeeps!

Point Defiance Park is breathtaking and if you enjoy being in nature I highly recommend visiting. I enjoy trail running here throughout the year and cycling in the summer months. There is always people here, but it never feels overly crowded. The botanical gardens are truly beautiful as well. The zoo/aquarium is here along with Owen Beach and the Fort Nisqually Museum. There is definitely something here for all ages to enjoy!

Yet another Yelp entry that I am surprised I haven't written for yet. To me Point Defiance is the best park in the Tacoma area. Chambers Bay comes in very close and I think has the edge when it comes to views but there are so many amenities with Point Defiance that it simply can't be beat. If I could give Point Defiance more than five stars I would. Features here are numerous and I may even miss some. The gardens here are definitely something to take in. Probably the most popular and with good reason is the rose garden which is close to the main entrance. There are other gardens as well and I don't think I've been to all of them but there is a Rhododendron Garden worth checking out when those plants are in bloom. There is an excellent Japanese Garden as well. There is a marina with a shop that covers more than your basic marina and fisherman needs as well as a restaurant nearby. You can take a lazy stroll on a sidewalk along Puget Sound to Owens Beach but you can drive to that beach as well. A zoo is also housed within the park. I have been here twice now. Once during their Christmas lights displays and another in the summer to take in the exhibits. While not the biggest of zoos this one is sizeable enough and you can easily spend an afternoon here looking at the animals and going to the aquarium. Fort Nisqually is another attraction in the park. An old fort in which going here in the summer is a lot of fun and getting a very good sample of what life was like at a fort. Some of the staff that work here are even dressed like those times of Forts in the American West. Other features include Five Mile Drive in which you can get views of Puget Sound and the Narrows Bridge, leash free dog parks, trails that take you deep into the wooded park and plenty of areas for you and your family to pic nic at. A nice and new added bonus is a new walking bridge that takes you over the road to the Vashon Ferry and connects to Point Ruston and Ruston Way in which there are plenty of other features and views to see there as well. That area is more for nicer dining and gorgeous views of Puget Sound. I am sure and wouldn't be surprised that I am missing something that is well worth pursuing here but I think I covered the main and basic features as what activities and things to see here that are recommended. Many of the features and attractions I mentioned have their own Yelp entries. The pictures I am posting for this entry involves those entries and parts of the park. Definitely a highlight and beloved place for residents of the Tacoma area as well as out of town tourists.

This is an absolutely beautiful park! It's a quick walk up to see the water. There are lots of different trails, but we park on N 51st and N Mildred and take the forward trail.

Cherry blossoms were blooming when we visited. I can only imagine how pretty it is when all the roses are in bloom! It wasn't super busy but very peaceful. We will be heading back when the roses are sure to be colorful. We also took a stroll by the water watching the ferry come and go.

The prettiest park in Tacoma, no cap. This mega-park has tennis courts, a whole freaking zoo, a beach, a ferry dock that takes you to Vashon Island, numerous walking paths, a scenic drive, and multiple flower gardens. Summer here is truly gorgeous, and I can't wait to experience it in different seasons!

Beautiful place. Me and my family come down here by the pond and garden, of course photos were taken of literally everything.

Gorgeous park that manages to combine lots of natural beauty with a feeling of safety. I highly recommend downloading a trail map onto our device because it's easy to get lost. I ended up doing more trails and loops than I expected, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Forest trails are well maintained and there are plenty of shaded spots on the roadways to give you a respite on sunny days.

1st. Dune Peninsula: Wonderful place to take the family, couples walk, walk the dogs, ride your bike, or just individual sitting watching the seals/whales. This place has the longest set of slides I have ever seen. We did see seals, no whales maybe next time. You can just sit watching the boats or have a picnic lunch. Bathrooms were available & clean. No matter what the age you can enjoy. Wheel chair accessible. 2nd Park area: everything is free. Great place to walk around, wonderful trees & flowers. A few of the things we wanted to see were close due to covid. I challenge you all to do the slides, they were grand for young & not so young.

Our first time visiting this park and we did not have a pleasant experience. We parked our Jeep right near the entrance booth out in the open and there were a lot of people around walking and enjoying their day. It was about 4pm on a Wednesday October 2021. We locked the car and left briefly to go take photos of the deer and of the marina view and it must've just been 15-20 mins we came back and saw our Jeep was broken into. This was the first time something like this ever happened to me so it felt really scary to be honest. They left the car bloody and I did not want to upload those photos here. They stole my day hiking backpack which I had some valuable items including work phones and passports etc.... I know they said don't leave any valuables in the car at the park but we were visiting and in transit, I did not expect to have to lug all our luggages out to just take a short stroll nearby at a nice famous public park where there were a lot of bystanders! Needles to say it ruined our whole experience. We couldn't find any info on the park to call. Had to call the police to report the incident and they were going to send someone but after over 2 hours we decided to do the over there phone option. They were super busy at the local police department and in Ruston themselves that they said they had to go through the order of the incidents reported to get out there. Wow. A park officer happened to drive by by chance right before we were leaving and we told him what happened. He was really nice and said that they reduced officers and patrolling and that's why they saw more crimes happening. He said earlier that day a bike was stolen. I feel bad for leaving a negative review but I still have stress and anxiety writing this review the morning after it happened as I'm taking my flight back home. I hope nobody will have to go through this. We are frequent travelers so we are vigilant and aware but something like this could've happened to anyone.. just by luck or bad luck of them picking our car.. really don't feel good whenever I think of this park now! Thanks a lot Tacoma.

Great relaxing place for the family! This place has officially made me want to relocate to Seattle! So clean, friendly staff and people

I am in love with this park. Such a great place to take your kids on a fun and pretty stroll. Have them play at the playground and picnic at the park. See some deer and family while walking in the gardens along the trees. I was able to catch when they opened the flower area and it was beautiful. I loved the little pond they had that was filled with turtles and ducks. There was a Japanese themed area with a lot of history to read about. I believe there was an information center for that too, but did not go inside. I definitely recommend this place because I had so much fun taking in every little detail about the place. There is also a zoo and aquarium that you could go to, but I have yet to check out. You can make it a whole day to do with your family. And also the family dog! Great place to take your dog on a long walk. I also still have to check out the 5 mile drive. I bet it's beautiful too!

Point Defiance is a gorgeous park along the water. The trails are really well-maintained and provide beautiful views along the perimeter of the park and lush forest throughout. I saw some deer in the forest and seals out in the water. It wasn't crowded on a week day, but I can imagine it would be busy on a weekend. Loved it here!

What an amazing area to visit! After the renovation the grounds are spectacular and very well manicured. A wonderful place for taking photos. All of the plant life is properly placed and with the addition of the pagoda and water well along with little bridges, it's fantastic. They also have razor scooters you can rent and you can cover a lot of ground.

Before heading to dinner, we stopped at the botanical garden in Point Defiance Park. Thankfully for us, the flowers were all in full bloom, the weather was gorgeous, and this wonderful place is free! There are rows and rows of amazing flowers that circle the gazebo in the center of the garden. Each row had amazing flowers of all colors, shapes, and sizes. There were flowers we got to see that we never knew existed before. The setting was extremely beautiful and relaxing. There were people sitting on blankets and reading or people watching. Also, a lot of photographers taking photos of girls. It seemed to be a buzzing spot. I mean that literally with bees too as they flew around pollinating the flowers. While we were there, a few deer came out of nowhere and were near the garden. That was a fun surprise. I don't know what the seasonal months for the flowers are, but I hope you get to experience them when you go.

I super love this place. It's quite and just relaxing and not so crowded. When you take a stroll, I feel Like everything just stop and you are on your own little world. It's very serene. It has beautiful scenery of the water, lush greenery, and at times if you get lucky you might see some wildlife such as Seals , Otters , Sea lions , Turtles and Whale ...

Owen Beach is really fun for the kids, I like the new slide they added. The walk along the promenade is a very fun way to end a sunny summer day.

Owens Park is a scenic spot along the beach with views of ferry terminal and Vashon Island. There is a very nice natural children's playground with many lovely features.

I've lived in Seattle for almost my entire life and just now visited Point Defiance Park a few weeks ago (after making a day trip to Tacoma for the LeMay Car Museum). Anyway, I can't believe I've been missing out on this huge park for so long. Granted, I don't make it down to Tacoma too often, but still! This park could be compared to Stanley Park in Vancouver, as it's situated on the water and is huge. We checked out the rose garden, dahlia garden, a pond area, and then part of the beach..beautiful! There's lots to see/do. It was a nice fall day so we saw people just enjoying the sun, while others had photo shoots with the fall leaves in the background. The 5-mile drive was a nice way to see things (just park and get out of the car when you want to) since it's such a vast space. It's awesome that this park is free since I've seen other cities charge for entrance into a rose garden, etc. It was also nice that since the park is so big, it didn't feel super crowded, even if there were a bunch of people there. I'll definitely make it a point to come back sooner rather than later!

This is a great park located in Tacoma! This park is pretty expansive with the zoo and Owens beach located here too. The park itself has lovely paths to walk around and great views, such as, the duck ponds and the rose garden. I went when it was not in bloom, but I can tell it will be gorgeous. There is also a Japanese garden and pagoda . I have heard the park also has noticeable wildlife too. There are benches located throughout the park so it is nice to sit, enjoy the view and take in the moment, either by yourself or with a close friend.

This place is awesome. There's a lot of everything here. I enjoyed the garden part at the start of the park, which I was able to go for free. There were a variety of flowers and a gazebo in the center. That's only one area. I saw many people walking around the whole park and it looked like you can get a lot of steps in. If you follow Apple Maps, I recommend stopping as soon as you find something interesting because the park surroundings will take you in one giant one-way circle so if you want to go back to something you need to find an exit which might just be really far from where you are.

Came down ehere from Seattle to avoid the rain. Great meandering park with lots of very well marked trails. Views of the water from most of the trails around the perimeter. The park was closed to cars when were were there so it made it even more enjoyable.

Beautiful grounds, with many activities to do. We have been here many times over the years. We have had picnics on beach, visited the zoo & aquarium, toured the rose garden and 5-mile drive. Today was a first for us. We hiked a few of the trails today. Wanted to take in some sunshine, and enjoy some peace and quiet. Trails are very well marked, very difficult to get lost. Super safe, well manicured terrain. Some areas are mildly steep, and have slight decent. Overall very easy trails. We took our time and enjoyed the relaxing scenery/environment. Lots of families on the trails with their pets.

Amazing! Love this place. Great to walk and get lost in your thoughts while enjoying the outdoors.

This is a really beautiful place to see in Tacoma! The park itself is really big and has many things, such as a rose garden and splendid views of the water. The place is really nice and the best part is that it has a DUCK POND!!!

Love coming to this park- it is a gem in Tacoma! The walking trails, flower gardens and water view are just the best. The different areas make it easy to spread out, be alone and enjoy the surroundings.

Beautiful park with miles of beach and forest to hike around in. Zoo and fort nisqually are fun to visit inside in the park. Lots of wildlife too.

The people in Washington State must appreciate this Park, as when I take out of state friends & family there, they are in Awe at how beautiful a Park we have as they say nothing compares to Point Defiance Park anywhere.. Just rent a boat from next to the Restaurant and drive around the Park & you will see the beautiful park from the water, wow Washington you are number one as far as parks go.....

Weather was perfect for visiting this park. Got in a nice 3 mile walk and some great scenery and flowers to boot. The only issue here is the signage. It's crazy confusing with one way roads and not very good maps or signs. This created a lot of confusion trying to find the trail heads but eventually was able to find them. There is a little something for everyone here. Flowers, pagodas, farmer shop and even a zoo. You could easy spend the day here. Definitely recommended.

The best park in Washington. So beautiful! The views of Mt. Rainier and the Tallequah ferry. The hikes and my favorite part--the flower gardens!

Very relaxing and peaceful place to unwind.We were amazed by the natural beauty of the garden.

I love this park, but I hate that until they change their rules again, that I'll never be able to enjoy the entire upper half of the park in the evening hours unless I want to walk several miles or get a bicycle--which isn't likely, as my knees aren't what they used to be. Apparently some bicyclists complained that cars weren't looking out for them enough, so the park is ruined for everyone else because now the file mile drive (which is the entire upper half of the park) is closed to vehicles after 2pm. Originally I thought they did this because of covid, but apparently it's because bicyclists said they didn't feel safe. Congratulations bicyclists, you've ruined one of the best parks in the northwest for everyone. I hope you're proud of yourselves.

Anyone who lives in Tacoma has been here before, if not then you have to GO! Especially if you're out of State and visiting! I have been going here for over a decade and it still is amazing as it was back than till to this day. The water especially on a sunny day feels like heaven. This place even have a bunch of hiking locations around it.

So much in this area. I've been to this park several times when on vacation. And now that I live in Washington, it hasn't changed. Recently we discovered Owen Beach. Took my dog for a walk on the beach. And the view looking south along the shore was simply amazing. This day we could see Mt Rainier in all its glory. Great water views, lots of nature.

Awesome! Definitely worth driving here and exploring the entire area. The five mile drive is fantastic. It has some nice viewpoints. It wraps around a peninsula of the bay so you have some great expanded views of different outlooks. Definitely worth exploring.

This place is a great place to go to in all seasons. It's so popular I see people having weddings here especially during the summer. They have a rose garden that's amazing to walk around and the zoo is also close by! I love driving the 5mile drive and stopping to look at the sunset. There's raccoons along the road so you have to drive slowly. They have no fear and will come up to your car and beg for food! It's so cute! A great place to do a quick run/hike and there's also a bbq site and picnic tables along the water area.

Nice reply from Metro Parks Tacoma. You can bet we'll be back when we're in the area again. There was so much that we didn't get to see. My brother was bragging on your Christmas light displays. Sounds like all y'all do an outstanding job year round. It is much appreciated. See you!!

Oh wow! This is my second drive through Point Defiance Park- my last visit was in the heat of July and this weekend was cool, rainy and very April-esque in its beauty. Everything is green and richly moss-covered. Absolutely breathtaking and well worth a trip if you are in Tacoma for a visit. It's a quick 5-mile loop around the park with stop-off spots to take photos. Great view of the bridge, Vashon, and Gig Harbor.

Best park in Tacoma. Awesome trails. They shut down the inner loop so you can take your kids on a bike ride and not worry about cars. It's now connected to Point Ruston via pedestrian bridge and they updated Owens Beach. A must visit if you're in town.

Where do I begin? So many things at Point Defiance! I started to write a review on the Dog park they have but theres no Point Defiance dog park listed on Yelp. Point Defiance has it all...Zoo, Beach, flower Garden, Japanese Garden that I think I want to have my wedding at one day! pond with ducks and deers (deers that come up to you) with their fawns-amazing! Hiking with massive views of the pacific in which I always get to see a seal or two, barbecuing, picnicking, playgrounds, a forest with cliffs looking out onto the pacific, rhododendron garden,,,,they have it all...ferry, Anthonys Restaurant, bumper cars, monthly events....I love point defiance, been coming here since I was born. And about the dog park-Kinda had a hard time finding it-FOLLOW SIGNS! Its big with a gazebo in case its raining, its in the middle of the woods with a big part and a fenced off area for I guess smaller dogs or dogs in training. I love to take my pup here to do his doggie thing then I can go to the beach and do my human thing so we both always get fulfilled when we come here. Im going to have to add more when feel like writing alot because there is just way too many things here to enjoy...the zoo is gonna be my first "short story" on yelp....LOVE the zoo most awesome shark exhibit. I can go on and on about this place its hands down the best that Tacoma has to offer, Even the neighborhood its in is the best area of Tacoma. Point Defiance is a must see especially if you are visiting during the summer.

I've been here for several summers in a row and the shades of green are always phenomenal! I'd recommend getting a map or looking at one at the info station as this place is packed with hidden treasures - trails, a beach, gardens, etc. Very much worth the visit.

Great place to walk around with the kiddos. Lots of ducks geese and turtles. Beautiful roses in the garden.