Point Defiance Park and Zoo

Pond at Point Defiance

Adjacent to Franke Tobey Jones is the gorgeous 702-acre Point Defiance Park.  Natural forest, saltwater beaches and spectacular views offer numerous possibilities for recreation, education and communing with nature.

The park is open from sunrise to approximately 30 minutes after sunset.  Point Defiance Park—it’s just absolutely amazing and something you could explore for years and never get tired of.  Some of the many attractions at Point Defiance Park are:

  • Gardens and Old Growth Forest
  • Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
  • Five Mile Drive
  • Walking Trails
  • Pagoda & Lodge
  • Owen Beach
  • Fort Nisqually
  • Boathouse Marina
  • Anthony’s Restaurant

Winding through Point Defiance Park’s old growth forest, Five Mile Drive offers vistas of Puget Sound, the Cascade and Olympic  mountain ranges, Tacoma Narrows and Narrows Bridges, Vashon Island and Gig Harbor. Viewpoints provide opportunities to relax, picnic and take pictures. Picnic sites in Point Defiance that are easily accessible are Gig Harbor View, Fort Nisqually and Owen Beach.

The drive is closed to vehicle traffic every Saturday and Sunday until 1 p.m. so visitors may run, walk or bicycle along the scenic drive.

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