SaltWater State Park is perfectly located between Seattle and Tacoma with beach access and trails!

Saltwater State Park in located in Des Moines, Washington. If you are looking for a State Park nestled inside a local neighborhood this is your park – only 2 minutes off of I-5.  Open from 8am to dusk, you will need a discovery pass or to pay a day use fee at the entrance booth, which is automated. The parking lot is at the bottom of the hill. You will be parking right at the trail entrance, beach access and restroom. In the summer there is even a concession stand with food and drinks. 

Head down to the beach access to a beautiful view of the Puget sound. You will crawl over a patch of drift wood to get to the water and sand, but it is easily navigated. Continue on the paved walking path to find a picnic area and a volleyball court that has a net in the summer. There is also a pirate themed playground right on the water for 2 to 5 year old’s. 

Head back towards the parking lot to find the trail head for a 1.5-mile loop through the forest. You will be able to hear airplanes overhead your entire visit as the park is close to Sea-Tac Airport. 

There are 35 camping spots located at this state park and you can check the WA State Parks website for more details if you are interested in staying overnight. 

Fun fact: there is an artificial reef for scuba diving off the shore – please follow all posted signs as harvesting is not allowed due to the reef. My father was a scuba dive instructor and would take his students here for their check out dive and he tells me there is an Octopus living in an old ship wreck right off the beach. Ask any scuba divers you see if they know his name!