- Wapato Lake
Wapato Lake is a park with a flat, paved trail around the lake. The trail is about 1 mile around. This has lots of trees and grassy areas as well. Max enjoyed chasing squirrels and sunbathing on the grass. There is also a fenced dog park at this park. There is always plenty of open spaces in the parking lot.
2. McKinley Park
McKinley Park loop is a 1.2 mile trail that has some good elevation for such a short trail. The park is located on a hillside, so one section of the trail includes some switchbacks up the hill. If you are short on time, but want to get a good workout in this is a good spot. The park is mostly wooded and has some unique features like bird houses and rock gardens. It is a small space in the middle of the city where Max enjoyed getting some time in the woods.
3. Owen Beach
Owen Beach is located inside Point Defiance Park. At low tide, you can walk along the beach for 2.3 miles out and back. The beach is easily accessible from the large parking lot and there are bathrooms located just beyond the parking lot. There were many other dogs playing on the beach when we visited. Max had a blast exploring the driftwood and running from the tide.
4. Port Defiance Park
The park consists of 13 trails of old forest surrounded by Puget Sound water on two sides. Not only are there beaches and wooded trails, but there is also a walking park that has a Japanese garden, rose garden, and duck pond. I highly recommend checking out both the forested trail park and the garden park. The first time Max and I hit the trails at Port Defiance we spotted a giant elk!
5. Wright Park
Wright Park is absolutely beautiful in autumn. This city park reminded me of a smaller Boston Common back home. The park is large in size and has trails crisscrossing amongst what feels like every type of tree there is. This 27 acre arboretum is home to over 600 trees. The park has a beautiful pond with a bridge crossing over that was added in 2000. There is also a playground and a basketball court. You will see many other leashed dogs also enjoying the park. Max had a blast chasing the squirrels up the trees.
6. Titlow Park
This park has grassy fields, a duck pond, a playground, and hiking trails branching off from the park that are flat and easy. A 1.5 mile loop will take you around the park, down the wooded trails, and out to Titlow Beach. Max enjoyed this hike, but it was hard for him to explore off the trail because there were a lot of thorns along the sides of the trails. However, I do think it is a nice spot to walk your dog with differing geography.
7. Dash Point State Park
This state park consists of 7 different trails and direct beach access. I have to say I enjoyed this park more than Point Defiance because it is smaller, quieter, and less crowded. I also think the beach is nicer. Max had so much fun playing in the sand on this beach. He even got the zoomies! The trail we took was absolutely gorgeous with a stream running through it and beautiful forest. The trails are very well maintained and not half as crowded as other state parks. There is also a lovely campground you can walk through or camp at!
8. Clarks Creek Park
Clarks Creek is actually located a little outside of Tacoma in Puyallup. The park is hidden at the end of a residential street and is a hidden gem for hiking and dogs. There is a small fenced in off-leash dog park as well as hiking trails with enough elevation gain to make it feel like a workout. At the end of our hike, Max even got in the river by the parking lot for a cooling off swim!
9. Bark Park
Bark Park is also located a little outside of Tacoma in Gig Harbor, but well worth the extra drive. Parking at the fire station, a short trail will take you to a completely fenced section of old forest. The trail that goes around the perimeter of the fence is about 1.5 miles total, with intersected trails through the middle as well. Bark Park gives you the best of both worlds: a fenced off leash dog park and hiking trails. Max had so much fun running around with the other dogs and hiking here that after one lap around the fenced park, he was exhausted and ready to go home. But if your dog has more stamina than mine, the surrounding McCormick Forest Park has many trails you can take your dog on-leash, so the fun doesn’t have to end!
