The best parks & outdoor spots in Tacoma

10 parks & outdoor spots we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Parks & Outdoors · 10 places · showing the latest additions first

Hike-friendly site for families, solo adventurers and pooches, featuring a sandy beach and a park.

Chambers Bay Walk (University Place)

Hike-friendly site for families, solo adventurers and pooches, featuring a sandy beach and a park.

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Harry Todd Park

Parks & Outdoors

17-acre, lakeside destination with a swimming beach & picnic tables, plus a skate park & more.

8928 N Thorne Ln SW (Lakewood)

17-acre, lakeside destination with a swimming beach & picnic tables, plus a skate park & more.

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PowellsWood Garden

Parks & Outdoors

3-acres of serene landscaped gardens nestled in a forest, with paths, a pond, stream & conservatory.

430 S Dash Point Rd (Federal Way)

3-acres of serene landscaped gardens nestled in a forest, with paths, a pond, stream & conservatory.

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Steel Lake Park

Parks & Outdoors

This 52-acre, lakeside park offers a playground & volleyball pit, plus live summertime concerts.

2410 S 312th St (Federal Way)

This 52-acre, lakeside park offers a playground & volleyball pit, plus live summertime concerts.

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American Lake Park

Parks & Outdoors

Popular 5-acre lakefront park featuring a lifeguard-manned swimming beach, playground and picnic areas.

9222 Veterans Dr SW (Lakewood)

Popular 5-acre lakefront park featuring a lifeguard-manned swimming beach, playground and picnic areas.

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Kubota Garden

Parks & Outdoors

Hilly 20-acre Japanese-style garden dating to 1927, with flowers, ponds, waterfalls & a moon bridge.

9817 55th Ave S (Seattle)

Hilly 20-acre Japanese-style garden dating to 1927, with flowers, ponds, waterfalls & a moon bridge.

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Sunnyside Beach Park

Parks & Outdoors

Park with 1400 ft. of shoreline plus a playground, volleyball court, trails & picnic facilities.

Chambers Creek Rd W (Steilacoom)

Park with 1400 ft. of shoreline plus a playground, volleyball court, trails & picnic facilities.

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Fort Steilacoom Park

Parks & Outdoors

Large area with baseball, softball & soccer fields, plus hiking paths, play sets & a dog park.

8714 87th Ave SW (Lakewood)

Large area with baseball, softball & soccer fields, plus hiking paths, play sets & a dog park.

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Coastal Farm & Ranch

Parks & Outdoors

Outfitter for farm/ranch supplies offering livestock feed, boots & workwear, tools, stoves & fences.

1425 Outlet Collection Way (Auburn)

Outfitter for farm/ranch supplies offering livestock feed, boots & workwear, tools, stoves & fences.

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Lakewold Gardens

Parks & Outdoors

Landscape designer Thomas Church's 10-acre flora collection includes rare & unusual plants.

12317 Gravelly Lake Dr SW (Lakewood)

Landscape designer Thomas Church's 10-acre flora collection includes rare & unusual plants.

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