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Point Defiance Park

point defiance entrance sign
slides and stairs
PtDef_2024 TrailMap

Welcome to Point Defiance Park!

There is so much to do at the park. Scroll down to learn more about the park's attractions.

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Chutes and Ladders

Come play on these slides at the east end of Wilson Way. A fun way to quickly get down to the marina complex below!

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Explore the Park

Download a park map and start discovering the trails, beaches, forest and more!

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Point Defiance Park

5400 N Pearl St
Tacoma, WA 98407

Directions

Park Hours:
Open ½ hour before sunrise
Close ½ hour after sunset
(Hours of park attractions may vary)

Restroom Schedule

Connect

Activities Happening Here

Tots on the Trail

Friday, Mar 21, 2025
10:00 am
Point Defiance Park
5400 N Pearl St
Tacoma, WA 98407

Drop-in Hikes at Point Defiance

Saturday, Mar 22, 2025
9:00 am
Rhododendron Garden
Five Mile Rd
Tacoma, WA 98407

Rhododendron Garden Club Work Party

Saturday, Mar 22, 2025
9:00 am
Rhododendron Garden
Five Mile Rd
Tacoma, WA 98407

Babies on the Trail

Monday, Mar 24, 2025
10:00 am
Point Defiance Park
5400 N Pearl St
Tacoma, WA 98407

Owen Beach Work Party

Saturday, Mar 29, 2025
9:00 am
Owen Beach
5605 N. Owen Beach Rd.
Tacoma, WA 98407

Weeding Work Party

Saturday, Mar 29, 2025
9:00 am
Point Defiance Park
5400 N Pearl St
Tacoma, WA 98407

Visitor Information

Volunteers on park watch point defiance park
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Volunteer
Point Defiance Park racoons
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Wildlife
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Kayak Rentals

Attractions

Improvements at Point Defiance Park are guided by efforts to enhance visitor experiences and honor the park’s character.

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Attractions

Owen Beach

Open - renovated in 2022

Five Mile Drive & Trails

Inner loop- Open to vehicles during regular park hours
Outer loop- Open to pedestrians/cyclists only

Tacoma's Chutes and Ladders

Open

Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance

Open

Wilson Way Pedestrian Bridge

Open

Gardens

Open

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Open. Click to view hours & buy tickets

Point Defiance Marina

Open. Click to view hours

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum

Open - Access via Five Mile Drive inner loop
Click to view hours & get tickets

Off-Leash Dog Park

Open - Access via Five Mile Drive inner loop

News

Harvest Home at Fort Nisqually

Fort Nisqually ushers autumn in with our Harvest Home celebration

As autumn approached, the laborers of the original Fort Nisqually would pull in the last of the crops. The “hock cart” would carry the last harvest, decorated in celebration o…
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point defiance park sign

Construction updates on Point Defiance projects

Last updated – 9/28/23 Point Defiance Park Water System Analysis Project What will visitors see happening? Visitors to Point Defiance Park may notice painted marks on th…
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Outer Loop Closing Permanently to Vehicles

Outer Loop Closing Permanently to Vehicles for Safety

Outer Loop of Five Mile Drive Closing to Vehicles Permanently for Safety Download the 130-Page Geotechnical Report Tacoma, WA: After careful consideration, and following a rec…
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Restrooms, Maps and More

Restroom Schedule Park Maps Conduct in Our Parks Capital Projects Park History

Hours & Contacts

Hours

General Park Hours

  • Open ½ hour before sunrise
  • Close ½ hour after sunset

Restroom Hours

Facility Hours

Contacts

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (253) 404-3800

Point Defiance Marina (253) 404-3960

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum (253) 404-3970

Other Contact Information

Rentals

Owen Beach Pavilion 1

Owen Beach Pavilion

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Point Defiance Main Picnic Shelter

Point Defiance Main Picnic Shelter

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Owen Beach Picnic Shelter 2

Owen Beach Picnic Shelter

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people gather at the fort nisqually picnic shelter

Fort Nisqually Picnic Shelter

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dune peninsula flowers and the sunrise

Dune Peninsula Pavilion at Point Defiance

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Point Defiance Zoo Plaza Cafe

Point Defiance Zoo Plaza Cafe

For gatherings large and small, the Plaza Cafe will make your event special with big views onto the Pacific Rim Plaza.
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Point Defiance Zoo Picnic Pavilion Under the Sea Event

Point Defiance Zoo Picnic Pavilion

Located next to the Red Wolf Woods exhibit and new Pacific Seas Aquarium, the Picnic Pavilion features an open-air structure, permanent picnic tables and a grassy area for ext…
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Point Defiance Zoo Pacific Seas Aquarium 1

Point Defiance Zoo Pacific Seas Aquarium

The 35,000 square foot state-of-the-art Pacific Seas Aquarium is a spectacular, unique venue with stunning art and mesmerizing marine life.
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Point Defiance Zoo Pacific Rim Plaza

Point Defiance Zoo Pacific Rim Plaza

Spectacular views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier make this globe-shaped plaza the premier setting for wedding ceremonies and outdoor celebrations.
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Point Defiance Zoo Asian Forest Sanctuary

Point Defiance Zoo Asian Forest Sanctuary

This lush five-acre exhibit complex is the ultimate outdoor event location. Two viewing pavilions and the Asian Dayroom provide covered space for buffet stations and seating.
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Point Defiance Zoo Education Center

Point Defiance Zoo Education Center

This versatile 3,000 sq. ft. venue has a private entrance and can be divided into three separate rooms.
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couple is married in the Point Defiance Rose garden

Point Defiance Rose Garden Lawn

This beautiful formal garden features a grassy area. During the summer months it is surrounded with a colorful border of flowers.
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Point Defiance Rose Garden Gazebo 2

Point Defiance Rose Garden Gazebo

The Gazebo sits amidst a formal rose garden setting. The area holds 30-50 people (standing).
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Point Defiance Pagoda wedding celebration

Point Defiance Pagoda

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Features

feather quill pen
Art & Artifacts
bbq
Barbeque - Grill
bicycle
Bike Rack
motor boat
Boat Launch - Drive-up
motor boat
Boat Lockers
anchor
Boat Moorage
flower
Display Garden
dog
Dogs
drinking-fountain
Drinking Fountain
earth
Environmental Education
fish and hook
Fishing Pier
present
Gift Shop
feather quill pen
Historic
fork and knife
Kitchen
water
Lake/Pond
trail
Natural Areas
dog
Off Leash Dog Park
car
Parking Stalls
car
Parking Stalls / ADA
picnic shelter
Picnic Shelter - Drop-in
picnic shelter
Picnic Shelter - Reservable
playground
Playground
water
Puget Sound
restroom
Restrooms / Seasonal
restroom
Restrooms / Year Round
tennis racket and ball
Tennis
trail
Trail / Hard
trail
Trail / Soft
binoculars
Viewpoint
water
Waterfront
More Features (22)