Tolmie State Park, a Washington State Park located near Gig Harbor, Lacey and Lakewood

TOLMIE STATE PARK

TOLMIE STATE PARK
7730 61st Ave NE
Olympia, Washington 98506

Tolmie State Park is a 105-acre marine day-use park with 1,800 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound. This forested park is on Nisqually Beach, a few miles from Olympia, the state's capital city. The park offers a variety of beachside activities and an underwater park built by scuba divers. The park features an underwater park for scuba divers, a saltwater marsh, a beach, a forest and abundant wildlife.

Park hours/updates:

Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, Oct. 2 through April 1.

The park is open year round for day use.

Nature of the Area

Wildlife Mammals Birds Fish & Sea Life? Chipmunks? Coyotes? Deer or Elk? Rabbits? Raccoons? Skunks? Squirrels? Crows or Ravens? Ducks? Eagles? Geese? Gulls? Hawks? Herons? Hummingbirds? Jays? Ospreys? Owls? Woodpeckers? Wrens? Clams? Crabs? Mussels? Oysters? Sea Birds? Seals? Shellfish? Shrimp? Bullhead? Cod? Eel? Perch? Salmon? Shark? Steelhead? Trout

Environmental Features Physical Features Plant Life ? Cedar? Douglas Fir? Hemlock? Yew? Alder? Maple? Foxglove? Rhododendron? Berries? Eel Grass? Ferns? Moss or Lichens? Seaweed

History of the Area

The park is named for Dr. William Frazer Tolmie (1812-1866) who spent 16 years with the Hudson Bay Company at Fort Nisqually as a physician, surgeon, botanist and fur trader.

Passes

A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.

Camping

There is no camping available at this park, but there are five mooring buoys available for boaters who wish to tie up and stay overnight on their boats.

Park Store

Available in the area? Auto repair? Camping? Diesel? Fishing/hunting? Gasoline? Gifts? Golf? Groceries? Hardware? Hospital? Overnight Accommodations? Pay phone? Postal service? Propane

All services are available within a few miles of the park.

Boating

The park provides five mooring buoys. Moorage fees are charged year round for mooring at docks, floats and buoys from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Location

Tolmie State Park is located near Gig Harbor, Lacey and Lakewood

Nearby Parks

Tolmie Underwater State Park

Nisqually State Wildlife Recreation Area

Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Joemma Beach State Park

Penrose Point State Park

Squaxin Island State Park

McMicken Island State Park

Hope Island Marine State Park

Jarrell Cove State Park

Kopachuck State Park

Picnicking

The park provides two kitchen shelters with electricity, plus 11 sheltered and 20 unsheltered picnic tables. Kitchen shelters include picnic tables, water, sinks and grills. The upper kitchen shelter, which accommodates up to 50 guests, can be reserved by calling the park at (360) 456-6464.

Nature Programs

Displays on the beach and in the upper picnic areas describe the evolution/ecology of the shoreline and the history of the park.

Area Attractions

Trails Water Activities Other? 3 mi. Hiking Trails? Boating (saltwater)? Diving? Fishing (saltwater)? Swimming (saltwater)? Clamming? Crabbing? Beachcombing? Bird Watching? 2 Fire Circles? Wildlife Viewing

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

October 1 Closure by Shep

We went to the park today Tuesday 1 October 2019 only to find that it was closed. Apparently it will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays now. Website stated it would be closed on Mondays and Tuesday beginning 2 October 2019 NOT 1 October 2019. Though it was only a 45 minute drive there it would be nice if the park follows its own guidelines.

April 20 Wonderful fun for the whole family by Sherrie

We come to the park whenever we can, which is often. Facilities are clean and the beach is great for combing and sand castles when the tide is out!!

December 15 Fun, Fun, Fun! by Julie from Georgia

We visited the beach area and waded into the mud flats. The kids loved it! There are great views on a clear day. Sand dollars, crabs and shells were abundant. Wonderful natural place to visit!!!