Saltwater State Park offers a sandy beach getaway between Seattle and Tacoma. A popular spot for picnicking, hiking, and scuba diving.
McSorley Creek winds inland through the park, and the upper end near the camping area is accessible via short but scenic trails. Scuba divers will enjoy the underwater artificial reef that’s become a thriving marine preserve here. A great post ahead.
Campsites
Located halfway between Seattle and Tacoma, Saltwater State Park offers a great escape from urban life. The 88-acre park showcases forested trails, 1,445 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound, and wildlife-watching opportunities.
The park also has a submerged artificial reef that is popular with scuba divers. There are also tide pools and a creek that salmon spawn in seasonally.
Overlooked by most visitors, McSorley (formerly Smith) Creek winds inland in a gentle “S” curve joined by three tributary streams. About 30 campsites are situated on a road that parallels the creek, serving the public on a first-come-first-served basis.
On both the north and south sides of the ravine there is a network of hiking trails that follow up the side creeks, rise through jungles of stinging nettles, skirt the edges of cliffs and ridges, and cross wooded plateaus.
The main draw at Saltwater State Park is the 1,445 feet of stunning saltwater shoreline along Puget Sound. The park is a popular spot for boating, fishing, and kayaking.
Hiking Trails
Saltwater State Park in Des Moines WA is a popular camping spot located halfway between the cities of Seattle and Tacoma. It offers 1,445 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound, a sandy swimming beach in the southwest corner, and rocky tide flats along the west with a submerged artificial reef that is popular with scuba divers.
Hiking Trails
There are several hiking trails in the park. Two main paths traverse the park, the North and South Rim Trails.
The rim trails wind through old-growth forests, some of which are quite impressive. They also offer views of the surrounding area.
McSorley Creek flows through the park and is a popular destination for wildlife watchers and kayakers. A stream and shoreline restoration project is currently underway to remove the rock bulkhead along the shoreline, improve natural beach processes and provide more opportunities for fish and other wildlife.
The park was established in 1926, long before construction cranes filled the skyline of Seattle. The hiking trails, small bridges, and several park buildings were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. This article is worth reading.
Scuba Diving
Located halfway between Seattle and Tacoma, Saltwater State Park is a perfect escape from urban life. It showcases a combination of forested trails and 1,445 feet of stunning saltwater shoreline along Puget Sound.
The park features sandcastles and tide pools as well as seasonal salmon spawning in McSorley Creek. There’s also an underwater artificial reef here that’s popular with scuba divers.
Aside from scuba diving, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy at Saltwater State Park. For example, you can take a hike on the cool green forested trails or cook up a picnic on one of the many barbecue grills.
The 137-acre marine camping park is popular with scuba divers as well as locals looking to relax on the shoreline and enjoy the views of Puget Sound. There are even a few scuba dive schools in the area to help you become scuba-ready quickly.
Fishing
If you’re a big fisherman or a scuba diver, Saltwater State Park is the place for you. The 137-acre camping park features 1,445 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound.
When the tide’s out, a patchwork of saltwater pools teems with sea life. Crouching on the beach, you can watch crabs scurry underfoot and anemones wriggle in microcurrents.
You may also see sand dollars dotted across the sand or salmon spawning in McSorley Creek. Picnic areas are scattered throughout the park, along with barbecue grills and restroom facilities.
Located halfway between Tacoma and Seattle, this is one of the most popular parks in Washington.
The beach at Saltwater State Park is a great spot to relax and soak up the sun on a warm summer day. There are also plenty of other things to do in the area, such as hiking or kayaking. It’s a great option for glampers who want to get away from the city but are still close to all of the amenities. Up next is Dash Point State Park.
Driving directions from AAA Construction LLC to Saltwater State Park
Driving directions from Saltwater State Park to Dash Point State Park