Explore Saltwater State Park for FREE!

Beginning January 2025, enjoy these FREE Discover Pass Days at ANY Washington State Park:

• January 1 - New Year's Day and First Day Hikes
• January 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• March 9 - Billy Frank Junior's Birthday
• March 19 - State Parks’ 112th Birthday
• April 22 - Earth Day
• June 7 - 8 - Free Fishing Weekend
• June 19 - Juneteenth
• August 9 - Smokey Bear's Birthday
• September 28 - National Public Lands Day
• October 10 - World Mental Health Day
• November 11 - Veterans Day
  

NOTE: These select days apply to DAY USE ONLY (not overnight stays or rented facilities). Free days are valid at all Washington State Parks and Washington State Departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife lands. Sno-Park permits are still required on free days at designated Sno-Parks during the winter season.

Start 2025 with an adventure at Saltwater State Park!

Join us on Wednesday, January 1st for our annual First Day Hikes—an opportunity for everyone to get outside and enjoy a beautiful state park!

Choose a guided hike, snowshoe excursion, trail ride, polar plunge or scavenger hunt to enjoy on New Year’s Day. First Day Hikes events vary in difficulty, ranging from smooth, flat ADA-accessible trails to moderate hill climbs.

A few parks will even offer multiple hikes to suit different interests and skill levels. Additionally, several hikes will include talks with rangers, which allow attendees to learn about the park's history and natural features. All participants will receive a collectible Washington State Parks 2025 First Day Hikes pin.

Most First Day Hikes require advanced registration, and group sizes may be limited.

NOTE: All hikes are FREE and a Discover Pass is NOT needed to park on state managed lands on Wednesday, January 1, our first FREE day of 2025. However, if you plan to participate in a First Day Hike at a park that becomes a Sno-Park during the winter (Lake Easton State Park, Lake Wenatchee State Park and Mount Spokane State Park), a Sno-Park permit is required.

PLAN YOUR VISIT:

Explore the South Sound at Saltwater State Park featuring a sandy beach getaway on the edge of Washington's largest urban area. Located on the flight path of Sea-Tac International Airport, the park can be noisy at times—but it's all part of the urban beach experience!

Conveniently located only 2 miles from Interstate 5, Saltwater State Park is set on a stretch of shoreline between Tacoma and Seattle making it one of the most popular Washington State Parks. It features a 137-acre camping park with 1,445 feet of saltwater shoreline along the Puget Sound.

While you won't often have Saltwater State Park to yourself on a warm summer day, the beach and atmosphere can't be beaten! Wade in the shallows, make sandcastles or play on the driftwood-strewn shore. Explore tide pools or seasonal salmon spawning in McSorley Creek.

If you prefer to view sea life from under the water, Saltwater is the only state park with an underwater artificial reef for diving. The reef is a protected marine sanctuary, and harvesting is not allowed.

You can also take an easy hike on the cool green forested trails or cook up a picnic on one of the park's barbecue grills.

PARKING:

The park is equipped with an automated pay station for visitors to purchase a one-day pass or an annual Discover Pass.

ALCOHOL:

Alcohol is ONLY allowed only in the campground (by registered campers of legal age) and MUST remain in the registered campsite.

Alcohol is not allowed in any other area of the park.