Run through Point Defiance Park

Point Defiance Park is the largest urban park in Pierce County and it provides a variety of amenities. Located at the very northwest tip of Tacoma, the park provides residents with a much needed retreat from the bustle of everyday life. Point Defiance Park is the place to go if you need a quick dose of nature, but you don't have a lot of time to travel out of Tacoma.

The Owen Beach parking lot is a great place to start hiking. All of the trails can be accessed from the end of the parking lot, opposite the beach. The parking lot has plenty of room to park close to the trail, but there are many places to access the trails in the park. 

When you finally make it to the trailhead, you will notice that the trail map shows three different, color-coded trails: the Outside Loop Trail (dark blue - 4.3 miles), the Inside Loop Trail (yellow - 3.6 miles), and the Spine Trail (light blue - 2.6 miles). All of these trails are unique in their own way and they all intersect or connect at some point. The Outside Loop Trail will allow you to see Fort Nisqually, the Narrows Bridges, Gig Harbor, the Dalco Passage, Vashon Island, and the Mountaineer Tree. It is by far the most inclusive trail.

Because this park is in Tacoma, the trails can tend to be busy. Do not let this dissuade you from enjoying the park! Try to plan your visits during the week rather than the weekends.

*The location marked on the map is for the trailhead near the Owen Beach parking lot.