Point Defiance Park

Category: Park in Tacoma, Washington

Address: 5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA

Phone: +12533051088

Opening hours

Sunday: 7AM–8:30PM

Monday: 7AM–8:30PM

Tuesday: 7AM–8:30PM

Wednesday: 7AM–8:30PM

Thursday: 7AM–8:30PM

Friday: 7AM–8:30PM

Saturday: 7AM–8:30PM

Reviews

Daniel Bennett

Jul 20, 2022

A wonderful place to dress up and take photos. Plenty to do, plenty to see. I would recommend this place to anyone, locals and visitors alike. Unlike many places in Tacoma, this place has an aura of cleanliness and refinement. Somewhere that you can take a picnic basket and dress well for a weekend out with the family like one would see almost 100 years ago. Check out the flower garden, ladies can get their rose and flower fix there while wondering about. There are nearly domesticated deer that wander about all over the park so keep a wary eye out for them. All this culminates to the beachfront area where you can relax in the sun with the water lapping at your feet. During low tide, you could walk along the shore and explore some of the caves and sea shelves that can be found along the coast. Lastly, the renovations they have made were very tasteful and make the whole experience that much better.

Raychel Schultz

May 25, 2022

This place is always nice to go to. I will say I was taken back by the fact that you can't feed the ducks. I carry around bird food with me everywhere. I guess too many people were giving them bread. It's a really big area. Parking is limited. Always love looking at the flowers when we're here.

Theodore Kubasti

Apr 28, 2022

Such a beautiful and relaxing place to enjoy nature. Whether you want to walk, bike, trail run, or just want some peaceful vibes. Definitely the best park in Tacoma! I love going here

Cindy Pfarr

Apr 9, 2022

My Hands Down Favorite Park! Owens Beach is Gorgeous Great Family/Pet Friendly Forest Beach access, Nature walk trails, 5 mile Loop Drive view points are a must see! Off leash Dog Park, Big and Spacious. Great place for Bike Riding, Skating, Jogging and Walking, Wildlife often see, deer families and raccoons.

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Questions & Answers

Are the Rose's in bloom right now in the rose tunnel?

Dana Marie | Dec 28, 2018
Dana Marie | Dec 29, 2018

Awesome thanks for all your help guys! Getting my engagement pictures done this weekend so wanted to be sure :)

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Are leashed pets aloud?

Alexandria Monroe | Dec 28, 2019
Charles Cunningham | Dec 29, 2019

Yes

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Is any of this open to the public?

Erica Davies | May 1, 2021
Peter | May 2, 2021

Yes, although they are now using timed tickets and you need to order in advance. The zoo is mostly open except for a few areas and they only have food to go.

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Roses aren't in bloom til spring....? It's nearly Christmas now, Happy holidays !!

Trojan | Dec 27, 2020
NORA NORTON | Dec 28, 2020

Well thank you so much, Merry Christmas to you and yours! ❤️🎄❤️

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How much do park tickets cost?

Alma Duran | Dec 27, 2020
Joe W | Dec 28, 2020

Entrance to the parks is free. Zoo / Aquarium is $ 18 / $ 14

Is there a military discount

Tonya Walker | Dec 28, 2018
Joe La Sac | Dec 29, 2018

The park is free, and that includes Fort Nisqually, the beach areas, and a lot of picnic space. For the zoo & aquarium, yes, there is a military discount, I believe.

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Is never never land open?

Kathleen Hohosh | Dec 28, 2018
Google User | Dec 29, 2018

Not anymore, unfortunately.

If I wanted to go there with my children and Barbeque, would I need a reservation, permit, or etc.?

Choco Doll 618 | Dec 28, 2018
Calvin Augur | Dec 29, 2018

No reservation. Definitely busier during weekends and the summer. There's a shelter on Owen Beach that I think you can reserve. Check out Metro Park's website.

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Can you bring your dog to the park?

Karen Martin | Dec 28, 2018
Wendy Tracey | Dec 29, 2018

Theres a dog park there and you can walk them around but they are not allowed in zoo area. And as always please clean up after yourself and pet. The only bad part about my visit was getting out of car to a dirty diaper right next to us. Unfortunately some people dont see trash cans and assume its ok to throw it in your parking lot.

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Can I bring my gas BBQ into the park for a family picnic?

Farrell Vanderhoef | Dec 28, 2018
Kurtis Mayo | Dec 29, 2018

Yeah, at Owen beach theres tables and little built in grills. People have cook outs and picnics along the beach all the time.

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Are dogs allowed

Shawn Dunaway | Dec 28, 2017
Christopher Blackwell | Dec 29, 2017

Yes, on a 6' leash under your control at all times. Also there is a off leash dog area inside the park. Enjoy!

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Are we allowed to BBQ on our grills at the beach? Not sure if we are allowed after the recent burn ban.

Surendra Rai | Jul 30, 2021
Melissa Knott | Jul 31, 2021

You cannot access Owens Beach right now from Point Defiance because they're tearing it up to make it look prettier and fill it with concrete to make us more like Seattle and less like Tacoma.

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Can you camp here? If so how much does it cost?

Saven Hoff | Dec 27, 2020
Naomi Cole | Dec 28, 2020

There is no camping at this park but there are plenty of other activities and parks you can camp in relatively close.

Is the rose garden open in October?

Dana Cleveland | Dec 27, 2020
Chad Dennis | Dec 28, 2020

Yes it is. From my understanding the park area and rose garden is open year round. The only thing closed at Point Defiance is the 5 mile drive to cars only. You can still walk or bike in.

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Is the park closed because of the corona? and is the rose garden close to blooming?

Cameron Eddy | Dec 27, 2020
Dakhota Volunteer | Dec 28, 2020

Yes they are closed because of the Virus. The Governor of Washington State said said for Clubs and Restaurants to be closed for Public Safety and Security during this time of crisis. Libraries and any indoor abd outdoor public place are closed for Public Safety.

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Is metal detecting allowed on park property? If so who do I get permission from?

Dave Farnsworth | Dec 27, 2020
Tim Mezen | Dec 28, 2020

Metro parks Tacoma, give them a call.

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Are there public restrooms

Audreona Williams | Dec 27, 2020
Joe W | Dec 28, 2020

Yes, several at convenient locations

Do you provide electric scooters for rent? If so, where are they located, and what do they cost? Thanks.

Sandy Moore | Dec 28, 2019
Justin Fowler | Dec 29, 2019

On the waterfront along Ruston way. Near all the new buildings.

Can you rent kayaks here?

kenneth von forell | Dec 28, 2019
Robin Young | Dec 29, 2019

Yes you can rent kayaks and boats

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How much is admission

Alma Duran | Dec 28, 2019
Amanda O'Boyle | Dec 29, 2019

19 for adults online 21 at the door

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Looking to have a birthday party for my daughter. Looking for somewhere with tables and a bbq already there ?

Monica Smith | Dec 28, 2019
Cynthia Vanderstelt | Dec 29, 2019

Point defiance has plenty if picnic tables and grills all throughout the park . there are some that have the gazebo( as I call them). We have had graduation parties and baby showers at different spots there. Had a great time. There is a spot on 5 mile drive towards the end I forgot what that site is call but the gazebo has a serving area inside. We always had a great time at point defiance no matter what we were there for. . hope u enjoy it as well.

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Is the Japanese garden area wheelchair/transportation chair accessible?

Elizabeth S | Dec 28, 2019
Jose Morales | Dec 29, 2019

Yes

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Why didn't they give me a stamp?

Diana Bran | Dec 28, 2019
Renee Stumpf | Dec 29, 2019

They are not a good place go to woodland

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Are the picnic areas at Owen's Beach to be reserved or who comes first?

Sharon Worden | Dec 28, 2019
robert Leslie | Dec 29, 2019

They can be reserved

Is there Basketball court?

Peter Aaron Myhre | Dec 28, 2019
Sandy Trevino | Dec 29, 2019

No but It still fun to go!! Please do 😊

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When is the TrailLink going to be complete to the Ruston trail?

Lisa Maust | Dec 28, 2019
Ryan O'Loughlin | Dec 29, 2019

should be soon

Can you walk a dog on leash on the trails?

shane abbott | Dec 28, 2018
Tad Doviak | Dec 29, 2018

Yes, but I charge a small fee. :)

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Is point defiance on Puget sound?

Katie Goggin | Dec 28, 2018
Denice Hill | Dec 29, 2018

Yes so is Owens beach they go hand in hand

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Rose's are in bloom at point defiance?

Randy Pullen | Dec 28, 2018
Heather Bede | Dec 29, 2018

Yes

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How much does it cost to point defiance park to zoo and aquarium.?

Michael Sambrano | Dec 28, 2019
Jennifer | Dec 29, 2019

We went 2 days ago it was $13.00 for seniors and $14.00 for adults

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Is there a Basketball court there

Donald Walker | Dec 28, 2018
Margo Clayton | Dec 29, 2018

No basketball court

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Are the trails at the park paved? Thinking of taking my baby on a walk there but need to use the stroller...

Lola | Dec 28, 2018
Jacob Asplund | Dec 29, 2018

There are both paved and unpaved trails. The only main walkway that is paved is the Owens Beach boardwalk. 5 mile drive is a road that is closed to cars Sat and sun till 1pm

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Can I bring dogs

le John | Dec 28, 2018
Jeff Brady | Dec 29, 2018

Chambers bay

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How much does it cost to visit the park?

Carolyn Nigh | Dec 28, 2018
Samantha Lowrie | Dec 29, 2018

The park is free.

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Is any part of the park free and open to the public

Trisha Wilkerson | Dec 28, 2018
Kevin Gent | Dec 29, 2018

What they said. It is the second largest city park in the nation so you have many hundreds of Acres of free access

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What days are free

Angela Mccorkle | Dec 28, 2017
lorenzo stricklen | Dec 29, 2017

None anytime soon, I know there is 1 in the spring and 1 in the summer for Tacoma residents.

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