You know that feeling when you drive into a town and it feels like you've accidentally slipped into a 1950s postcard? That is Steilacoom. It’s the oldest incorporated town in Washington, and honestly, it wears that history with a weird mix of pride and casual indifference. But if you keep driving past the quaint brick buildings and the local pub, you hit the water. This is where you find Sunnyside Beach Park Steilacoom WA. It isn’t some massive, sprawling state park with a ten-page rulebook. It’s a 13-acre slice of shoreline that feels like the community’s collective backyard.
I’ve spent a lot of time looking at Puget Sound. Most people flock to Ruston Way in Tacoma or the Seattle waterfront, but those places are chaotic. Sunnyside is different. It’s tucked away. You have to want to go there.
The first thing you’ll notice isn't the sand—it’s the trains. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) tracks run right along the edge of the park. For some people, that’s a dealbreaker. For others, it’s basically the soul of the place. There is something intensely Pacific Northwest about sitting on a piece of bleached driftwood, smelling the salt air, and feeling the ground shake as a mile-long freight train thunders past just yards away. It’s loud. It’s gritty. It’s perfect.
The Reality of the Shoreline at Sunnyside Beach Park Steilacoom WA
Let’s be real about the "beach" part. If you’re expecting white, powdery sand like you’d find in Destin or Maui, you’re going to be disappointed. This is Washington. The shoreline at Sunnyside Beach Park Steilacoom WA is a rugged mixture of pebbles, crushed shells, and coarse grey sand. It’s the kind of beach where you definitely want to keep your Tevas or Keens on unless you have soles made of leather.
The park offers about 1,400 feet of shoreline. That sounds like a lot until high tide hits. When the tide is in, the beach gets skinny. But when the tide goes out? That’s when the magic happens. The mudflats and tide pools reveal themselves, and if you’ve got kids, they’ll spend hours poking at barnacles or trying to find tiny crabs under rocks.
One thing people often overlook is the view of McNeil Island. It’s right there, hauntingly beautiful and sitting in the middle of the Sound. It used to be a federal prison—the only one in the country that was only accessible by boat or air. It’s closed now, mostly, but looking out at it from the shoreline of Sunnyside gives the whole place a bit of a "Shutter Island" vibe. To the south, you’ve got Anderson Island and the Ketron Island ferry route. It’s a constant parade of maritime movement.
Getting There and the Parking Situation
Getting to the park is simple, but the parking is a bit of a local drama. The address is 2509 Chambers Creek Road, Steilacoom, WA 98388. If you’re coming from Lakewood or Tacoma, you’ll wind down through some beautiful wooded areas before the vista opens up.
Here is the kicker: it’s not free.
Unless you are a resident of Steilacoom with a permit, you’re going to be paying at the kiosk. It’s usually around $5 to $10 depending on the day and the season. Don't try to dodge it. The local enforcement is surprisingly efficient, and a ticket will ruin your "chill beach day" vibes real quick.
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The lot isn't massive. On a scorching Saturday in July, it fills up by 11:00 AM. If you show up at noon and expect a spot right by the path, you’re dreaming. However, if you come on a Tuesday evening in October? You’ll have the place to yourself. The park is open from dawn until dusk, and honestly, the "dusk" part is the best part.
Why the Picnic Game Here is Top Tier
Most people come to Sunnyside Beach Park Steilacoom WA for the day-use facilities. There are several picnic shelters, and they are almost always occupied by a birthday party or a family reunion. There’s something about the smell of charcoal briquettes mixing with the sea breeze that just feels right.
- The Big Shelter: This is the one you see right near the entrance. It’s got plenty of tables and a big grill. You can reserve these through the Town of Steilacoom’s parks department, and if you’re planning a group thing, you absolutely should.
- The Grassy Uplands: If you don’t want a table, the park has these rolling grass hills that overlook the water. It’s prime territory for a picnic blanket.
- The Playground: It’s a standard-issue plastic and metal setup, but it’s positioned so parents can sit on a bench and look at the Olympic Mountains while the kids tire themselves out.
The terrain is interesting because it’s split. You have the upper grassy areas where the "civilized" picnicking happens, and then you have the lower beach area. There is a paved path that makes most of the park accessible, which is a huge plus for anyone with a stroller or a wheelchair. But once you hit the sand, all bets are off.
Diving into the Sound
You’ll see people in the water. Usually, they are wearing 7mm thick neoprene.
The water temperature in Puget Sound stays around $45°F$ to $55°F$ ($7°C$ to $13°C$) year-round. It is cold. It’s "take your breath away" cold. But Sunnyside is actually a fairly popular spot for local SCUBA divers.
Why? Because the entry is easy. You don’t have to hike down a cliff with 80 pounds of gear on your back. You just walk in. The underwater topography isn't as dramatic as some spots further north in Hood Canal, but there is plenty of sea life to see if you know where to look. Giant Pacific Octopuses (GPOs) have been spotted in the area, along with various types of rockfish and sea stars.
If you aren't a diver, you might see people launching kayaks or paddleboards. Just be careful with the currents. The Tacoma Narrows is not far away, and the water through here moves faster than it looks. If the tide is ripping, you can find yourself a mile down the coast before you’ve even realized you stopped paddling.
The "Secret" Trails and the Bridge
A lot of people just stick to the beach, but they’re missing out. There is a bridge—an overpass, really—that crosses over the train tracks. It connects the parking area and the upper park to the lower beach. Watching a train go by from directly above is a visceral experience. The wind from the engines and the sheer mechanical noise is enough to make your chest rattle.
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Once you’re on the beach side, you can walk for a decent stretch. To the north, you’ll eventually hit the Chambers Creek Regional Park boundary. It’s a bit of a rocky scramble, but it’s a great way to escape the crowds. To the south, the shoreline eventually turns into private property, so keep an eye out for signs.
One thing that genuinely surprises people is how good the birdwatching is. Since the park is situated on the edge of the Nisqually Reach, you get everything. Great Blue Herons stand like statues in the shallows. Osprey and Bald Eagles are constantly patrolling the sky. I once saw a sea lion lounging on a buoy about 200 yards offshore, barking its head off for no apparent reason. It’s a wild place, despite being so close to suburbia.
Addressing the "Industrial" Elephant in the Room
Some people complain that Sunnyside is too "industrial." You’ve got the train tracks, and just to the north, you have the massive Chambers Creek wastewater treatment plant (which, to be fair, is very clean and doesn't smell) and the world-famous Chambers Bay Golf Course.
But that’s exactly what makes Sunnyside Beach Park Steilacoom WA authentic. It isn't a manicured, fake version of nature. It’s a functional part of a working coastline. You see tugboats pulling log rafts. You see the ferry to Anderson Island making its slow, rhythmic loops. You see the infrastructure that keeps the PNW running.
If you want "pristine," go to the Olympic National Park. If you want "real," come here.
Local Tips for a Better Visit
I’ve been here in every kind of weather. Here is the unfiltered advice for anyone making the trip:
- Check the Tide Tables: Seriously. If you go at a +12 foot tide, there is almost no beach. You’ll be sitting on the logs. Go at a low tide if you want to explore.
- Bring a Jacket: Even if it’s 80 degrees in Puyallup, it’s 68 degrees at Sunnyside. The wind off the water is relentless. It’s called a "sea breeze," but sometimes it feels more like a "sea gale."
- The Train Schedule is Non-Existent: Don’t bother trying to "time" the trains. They come when they come. Sometimes you’ll see five in an hour; sometimes you won’t see one for two hours.
- Dog Rules: Dogs are allowed, but they have to be on a leash. People are pretty strict about this because of the wildlife and the proximity to the tracks. Don't be that person.
- Sunset is Mandatory: Because the park faces west/southwest, the sunsets over the Olympics are legendary. The sky turns this bruised purple and fiery orange color that reflects off the water in a way that makes you forget about the $10 parking fee.
What about the "Sunnyside" Name?
You’d think it’s just a generic name, right? But it actually fits. Because of the way the hill slopes, this little pocket of Steilacoom tends to catch the afternoon sun longer than the spots further down the coast toward Nisqually. When the rest of the town starts to fall into shadow, the beach stays lit up for another thirty minutes. It’s a small detail, but you notice it when you’re trying to squeeze every last drop out of a summer evening.
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Practical Insights for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head out to Sunnyside Beach Park Steilacoom WA, don't just wing it. It's a small enough park that a little bit of planning goes a long way.
First, think about food. There are no concession stands here. No hot dog carts. No ice cream trucks. If you didn't bring it with you, you’re driving back into the center of Steilacoom. Luckily, the town has a few gems like Topside Bar & Grill or the Berry Dock Ice Cream Shop. Grab your supplies there before you head down the hill.
Second, the bathroom situation is... fine. There are permanent restrooms. They are usually clean-ish, but it's a beach park, so expect some sand on the floor and a bit of a "public park" aroma. It beats a Porta-Potty any day of the week.
Third, the wind. I mentioned it before, but it deserves its own point. If you’re bringing an umbrella or a pop-up tent, make sure you have sand stakes or heavy weights. I have seen more than one "instant canopy" tumble across the rocks like a giant metal tumbleweed because someone underestimated a gust off the Sound.
Making the Most of the Experience
The best way to enjoy Sunnyside is to embrace the slow pace. This isn't a place for high-speed activities. It’s a place for sitting. It’s a place for throwing rocks into the water. It’s a place for watching the sunset and wondering what it’s like to live on one of the islands in the distance.
The park represents a specific kind of Washington lifestyle. It’s not about the glitz of the Bellevue skyline or the hipster energy of Capitol Hill. It’s about the sound of the waves, the smell of the salt, and the roar of the train. It’s about the grit.
If you want to visit, here is your checklist:
- Download a tide app to make sure you actually have sand to walk on.
- Pack a heavy-duty blanket because the ground is either rocky or damp.
- Bring cash or a card for the parking kiosk.
- Arrive early if the sun is out, or arrive two hours before sunset if you want the best views.
- Keep your camera ready for the trains and the eagles.
Once you’re there, just walk. Cross the bridge, head down to the shoreline, and find a piece of driftwood that looks comfortable. Sit down. Turn off your phone. The Sound has a way of washing away the noise of the rest of the world, even with a freight train screaming past behind you. It’s a weird contradiction, but that’s exactly why Sunnyside works. It’s a little bit of everything that makes the Pacific Northwest what it is.