Public Beaches In & Near Gig Harbor
Does this change in weather have you searching for the best public beaches to soak up the sun? If so, you’ve come to the right spot! Whether you’re looking for saltwater or freshwater beaches, or hoping to walk Fido, run, hike, swim, paddleboard, kayak and more, the Pacific Northwest has everything you’re looking for. With Spring and Summer creeping up on us, you’ll want to read on to plan for that nature immersive endorphin boost you’ve been craving! Learn which beaches have hiking and running trails, picnic facilities and restrooms, camping availability, Discover Pass requirements and more!
Table of Contents:
Gig Harbor Beaches
Beaches Near Gig Harbor
Beaches Across the Bridge
Kitsap County Beaches
Other Noteworthy Beaches
Gig Harbor Beaches
You can’t beat the views of Mount Rainier and the Puget Sound from this 6-acre beachfront, especially at low tide! Sunrise Beach Park also provides access to a popular scuba diving destination! It’s a great place to bring your family, leash up your dog or enjoy some solo exercise and park amenities:
2.0 miles of walking trails and forest paths
Swimming, scuba diving and watersports
Six picnic tables
Day-use areas
Designated parking areas
This beautiful sandy-rock beach has the best views of the Narrows Bridge and Tacoma. The 6-acre waterfront area is the perfect place to exercise, walk your dog (on a leash) or spend the day with your family. Amenities include:
Grassy play and picnic area
Picnic tables
Non-motorized boat launch
Telescopes and gazebo overlook.
Paved parking area
This park has been closed for construction, but is due to open back up for the well anticipated date of July 5, 2025 (The non-official first day of summer in the PNW) Bring your Discover Pass or $10 day pass and your running/hiking/walking shoes for its scenic stretch of rocky shoreline and shaded trails among the trees. While you’re there, you can also enjoy some watersports such as swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking and scuba diving. Be sure to check back in for updates on construction, opening dates, and amenities:
Picnic shelter and tables
Grill
Hiking trails
Restrooms
Moorage
“The Spit” is a popular undeveloped beach with that divides Burley Lagoon from Henderson Bay. It’s a common place to see many families, leashed pets, swimmers, waterfowl and occasional sail boarders and seals!
Saltwater beachfront
Boat launch
Beaches Near Gig Harbor
Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Park - Fox Island
Bring your fishing poles, skim boards, paddle boards, kayaks, hiking shoes and dog leash. This park has it all:
Viewpoints
Wooded trail system
Picnicking
Parking
Restrooms
Water access for non-motorized watercraft
Penrose Point State Park - Lakebay
You will need a Discover Pass or $10 day pass to enjoy this richly forested park with nearly two miles of saltwater shoreline. While you’re here you can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, scuba diving and more! This park features:
Picnic shelter and tables
Restroom
Fire pit
Joemma Beach State Park - Lakebay
You can reach this rocky beach by sea or by land for a day of hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, scuba diving and many other water sports. You will, however, need a Discover Pass or $10 day pass to park and enjoy the amenities:
Hiking trails
Fire pits
Restrooms
Camping
Boat ramp and moorage
Picnic shelter and tables
Beaches Across the Bridge from Gig Harbor
Owen Beach - Tacoma
The paved walking path along the beach at Owen Park, makes it the perfect place for some scenic outdoor exercise. Bring the family to enjoy everything this park has to offer:
Playground
Restrooms
Boat launch
Kayak rentals
Hard and soft trails
Picnic shelter or pavilion for reservation
Titlow Beach - University Place
Titlow Park’s Hidden Beach Trail makes for a scenic 1.3 mile walk though forest trails and along the rocky beach. For a longer stroll you can add the .75-mile Lagoon Loop! There is so much to offer for a day of family fun:
Playground and splash park
Boat launch
Bike trail and bike rack
Picnic shelter
Baseball field
Basketball court
Chambers Bay Beach - University Place
The beach at Chambers Creek Regional Park has a pedestrian overpass providing access to more than two miles of Puget Sound shoreline. Run, stroll or bike the paved trails with beautiful views from mountains to sound. There’s an entire day worth of activities with all that Chambers Creek Regional Park has to offer:
Paved Trails
Off-leash Dog Area
Environmental Service Building
Dash Point Park - Federal Way
This park/campground offers miles of forested hiking, biking and running trails. It’s beautiful sandy beach is perfect for swimming and all non-motorized water sports! A Discover Pass or $10 day pass is required to park here! Amenities include:
Restrooms
Firepits
Drinking water
Picnic tables and shelters
Sunnyside Beach Park - Steilacoom
Saltar’s Point Park is a cute little beach with 500 feet of saltwater shoreline and two stone buildings from the 1930s. This park is equipped with:
Foot Bridge Over Tracks
Drinking Water Access
Picnic Shelters - With Cooking Facilities
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
500’ of Saltwater Shoreline
American Lake – Lakewood
This family friendly 5-acre park is located on the north shore of American Lake. It’s a great and safe place for the kids to splash around, however, there are no dogs allowed in the beach area.
Amenities:
Picnic shelter and tables
Swimming beach
Playground
Year-round restroom
Boat launch
You can only access this quiet and beautiful little island via Steilacoom Ferry. It’s a great place to stay for a change of scenery. While you’re there you have access to three freshwater lakes where you can enjoy:
Fishing
Swimming
Boat Launches
Playgrounds
Sports courts and more!
Kitsap County Beaches
Anderson Point Park - Olalla
Saltwater Beach Access
Viewpoints of Colvos Passage and Vashon Island
Horseshoe Lake - Port Orchard
Swimming area
Walking Trails
Picnic Areas with BBQ
Playgrounds
Ball Field
Restrooms
Port of Manchester - Port Orchard
Sandy Saltwater Beach
Elevated Boat Launch
Picnic Area
Two Floating Docks for Short-term Moorage
Short walking distance is a family restaurant, pub, library, and post office.
Long Lake - Port Orchard
Swimming Area
Fishing Pier
Picnic Areas
Volleyball Court and Ball Field
Community Building
Life Jacket Kiosks
Wildcat Lake - Bremerton
Fishing
Swimming Area
Basketball Courts
Playground
Picnic Area
Life Jacket Kiosks
Illahee State Park - Bremerton
Sandy & Rocky Saltwater Beaches
Swimming & Watersports
Picnic Area
Camping
Hiking trails
Playgrounds
Ballfields
Discover Pass or $10 day pass required
Point no Point - Hansville
Beach & Tidelands
Lighthouse
Discover Pass required to use parking lot
Foul Weather Bluff - Hansville
Rocky Saltwater Beach
Hiking Trail
No Dogs allowed
Scenic Beach State Park - Seabeck
Rocky Saltwater Beach
Swimming & watersports
Hiking trail
Camping
Discover Pass or $10 day pass required
Other Noteworthy Beaches
Mason Lake - Mason County (50-minute drive)
Lake Cushman - Mason County (90-minute drive)
Fort Worden - Port Townsend (80-minute drive)
Salt Creek Recreation Area - Port Angeles (2-hour drive)
As you can see, Gig Harbor has plenty of beaches within a short drive or an arm’s reach!
Enjoy!
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