tacomaness✳47.25° N / 122.44° W
UNAPOLOGETICALLY TACOMA.
A PLACE TO KNOW / NORTH TACOMA

Point Defiance Park.

OutdoorsFamily
A winding trail through the dense green forest at Point Defiance
Photo: Parks Tacoma
WHY GO

A good place to spend a little time.

A 760-acre escape within the city, with forest trails, gardens, and shoreline to explore. Choose one corner and give yourself time to enjoy it.

01Forest trails02Gardens & shoreline03Space for a slower day

Make a plan that fits.

Use the official park map and visitor information to choose a route and arrival point that suit your group. Trail surfaces and grades vary.

From the source

Place information checked September 21, 2026. Opening hours, prices, and access arrangements can change.

Official Point Defiance Park visitor information ↗

Make a day of it.

All guides
A forest trail at Point Defiance Park
THE FAMILY FIELD GUIDE

Little explorers, loose plans.

A Tacoma day with kids, with plenty of room to change your mind.

Half-day ideasRead the guide →
Sunlight on a forest trail at Point Defiance
THE FRESH-AIR FILE

A little less hurry. A little more green.

An easy way to make Point Defiance the whole plan.

A morning or afternoonRead the guide →

Another good place to start.

Explore places
Museum of Glass and the Tacoma waterfront at dawnA PLACE TO KNOW
Museum District

Museum of Glass

A place to spend time with glass: its color, its possibilities, and the craft behind it. Start here for an art-focused afternoon in the Museum District.

Arts & culture / FamilyExplore place →
The illuminated exterior of McMenamins Elks Temple behind summer flowersA PLACE TO KNOW
Downtown

McMenamins Elks Temple

A restored 1916 building with seven floors of places to eat, drink, stay, and hear music. The Spanish Ballroom brings the soundtrack.

Food & drink / MusicExplore place →