In case you missed it, it’s officially Autumn! Whether you heard the news from the “It’s Fall, Y’all” posts covering your social media pages, or have been noticing the gradually brightening leaves around town, we are bringing you the best local locations to bask in all the visual glory of Fall.
Leaf peeping in Tacoma
Tacoma might be a bustling urban metropolis with remarkable views of the sound, but that doesn’t mean it’s short on woodlands. There are several parks right here in Tacoma boasting beautiful foliage as we head into fall.
Point Defiance Park
5400 N. Pearl St
Tacoma, WA 98407
Details:
Most people think of Point Defiance Park as our local zoo & aquarium, but in reality it is a 760-acres of old-growth forest trails, beaches, gardens, and play equipment with spectacular views of Commencement Bay and the Puget Sound. In the park you will find several walking trails ranging in distance from 0.5 - 5 miles, but if you’re not up for the walk they also offer the Five Mile Drive option through the park (Note: review hours and car restrictions before heading out).
When you’re done exploring the trails, you can enjoy the myriad of other conveniences offered throughout Point Defiance Park. The playgrounds, picnic areas, multiple gardens, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, and more make this a great place to spend the day with your family.
General Park Hours:
- Open ½ hour before sunrise
- Close ½ hour before sunset
*Check individual attractions hours prior to heading to the park.
DOGS:
- Point Defiance Park has a 7-acre fenced off-leash dog park
- Dogs must be leashed at all times while on the trails and in general park areas (Note: Dogs are strictly prohibited in some areas. SEE RULES).
You can print a map of the park, including the trails HERE.
Wright Park
501 South I St.
Tacoma, WA 98406
Details:
We were introduced to Wright Park when Fit4Mom-Tacoma held their outdoor classes there back in the day, and it’s been one of our favorite semi-hidden gems ever since. In the summer we love the playground and splashpark, but come Autumn, Wright Park is 7 acres brimming with more than 600 trees. Many of the historic trees are over a century old, including a red oak planted to honor President Theodore Roosevelt’s visit to Tacoma in 1902, a giant sequoia planted in 1939 to commemorate the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and more. Enjoy these and more natural treasures on the easy walking loop (distance is less than 1 mile. The park also houses an Arboretum, the beautiful W.W. Seymour Conservatory (check hours prior to visiting), many interesting statues and a duck pond. All-in-all, this is a perfect environment to explore the fall foliage...and maybe sneak in a local history lesson.
General Park Hours:
- Open ½ hour before sunrise
- Close ½ hour before sunset
*Check individual attractions hours prior to heading to the park.
Dogs must be leashed and are not allowed to enter in the pond, sprayground, or any play area designed to use water in the park.
You can print a map of the park, including the trails HERE.
Swan Creek Park
E 42nd St & Roosevelt Ave
Tacoma, WA 98404
Details: While it may be smaller in size, Swan Creek Park is big on appeal. An inherent symbol of unity, this little slice of tranquility is 373-acres joining the boundaries of Tacoma and Pierce Country. As fall moves in, the abundance of deciduous trees provides an array of leaves and vivid hued foliage. Kids can collect fallen leaves and compare the different sizes, shapes, colors, and textures they find. Nature-lovers everywhere will enjoy the salmon-bearing stream, myriad of bird species, woodland areas, and paved and natural trails. For those looking for more sport, Swan Creek Park has recently added Tacoma’s first trail system for mountain biking and BMX. Conveniently located with a little something for everyone, this Swan Creek Park is an ideal location to experience Autumn with your family.
General Park Hours:
- Open ½ hour before sunrise
- Close ½ hour before sunset
Dogs must be leashed at all times while on Swan Creek Park property.
You can print a map of the park, including the trails HERE.
More Info
When is the peak time for the best fall foliage colors?
Based on the Fall Foliage Prediction Map, it looks like fall colors will peak October 11th - October 18th, 2021.
Want to sneak in a lesson about leaves for the kids (or yourself)?
Check out the Fall Colors page provided by the Forest Service & USDA. It includes information on the Science of Fall Colors, Fall Colors for Kids and more.
Want more information about forests?
Discover the Forests is a gold mine of information! You can enter your city or zip code to find forests and parks near you, and activities to aid in Identifying Trees, Bird Watching, and Identifying Plants.
Are we buddies on social yet? If not, let’s hang out there! It’s a hub for a lot of goodies you won’t want to miss!
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