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Washington
12

Washington State Parks

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USA Parks
Washington
Volcano Country Region
Tolmie State Park
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Tolmie State Park Bridge to the Beach © Gary Morgan
This is a HDR photo of the bridge at Tolmie State Park, looking toward the beach. Dec. 11, 2011
Tolmie State Park © Serge Nadya Pa
Tolmie State Park © Serge Nadya Pa
Tolmie State Park Tolmie State Park © Alicia Gilfoy
Mt. Rainier over Puget Sound
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TOLMIE STATE PARK
TOLMIE STATE PARK
7730 61st Ave NE
Olympia, Washington   98506

Phone: 360-456-6464
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.
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.
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.
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.



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.
Trails
1. Four Cedars Trail: This 2.5-mile loop trail is the longest in Tolmie State Park, offering a moderate hike through lush forests and along scenic beachfronts.

2. Twin Creek Trail: A short but steep half mile trek that takes you to an elevated viewpoint overlooking Puget Sound with stunning views of Mount Rainier on clear days.

3. Sandy Beach Trail: An easy quarter-mile walk leading directly from the parking lot down to one of two sandy beaches within the park; perfect for families or those looking for a leisurely stroll.

4. Boundary West Fire Road/Trail Loop: At just under three miles long, this moderately difficult trail offers hikers beautiful forest scenery as well as glimpses into local wildlife habitats such as wetlands and creeks.

5. Tolmie Underwater Park Trails: These are not traditional hiking trails but rather underwater routes designed specifically for scuba divers exploring marine life off:shore at high tide times only.

6. Woodland Loop Nature Interpretive Trial: It's about .25 miles long which starts near picnic area B & C where visitors can learn more about native plants species found throughout Washington state parks via interpretative signage placed strategically around its path.

7. Picnic Area Pathways: Short pathways connecting different areas like Picnic Areas, playgrounds etc., these paths offer gentle walks suitable even for small children or elderly people who may have mobility issues.
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
park review stars; one to five 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
park review stars; one to five 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
park review stars; one to five 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!!!
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Area Campgrounds
Olympia Campground
1441 83rd Avenue SW
Olympia, WA
360-352-2551
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Washington
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Washington State Parks

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