Kopachuck State Park

Kopachuck’s sun-warmed, shellfish-rich beaches, mysterious island and creaky forest will take you right out of everyday life and into a fairytale. 

Snug in the curve of Carr Inlet a half-hour from Tacoma, Kopachuck State Park is an easy jaunt from South Puget Sound and the Kitsap Peninsula, and a lovely stop on an outing to Gig Harbor.

Though the park offers 2 miles of shaded hiking trails, most of the action takes place on the beach, which is popular with families for wading. Boaters and paddlers can cruise the shoreline or make the half-mile trip to Cutts Island, a small clay butte with a stand of trees. At low tide, the island offers a teardrop-shaped beach. 

This day-use park has more than 50 picnic tables, and its glorious sunsets go well with the shellfish harvesting and saltwater fishing available at the park. 

Whether your carriage is the family car or a kayak, you will leave Kopachuck with glowing memories of your Puget Sound state park experience. 

Park features


Kopachuck State Park is a 109-acre day-use marine park with 5,600 feet of saltwater shoreline on Henderson Bay. One portion of the park, Cutts Island, is a half mile from shore and reachable only by boat. 

Discover Pass: A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.

  1. Activities
  2. Boating
  3. Camping
  4. Maps

Picnic & Day-Use Facilities


The park provides two picnic shelters with two or three picnic tables in them and 55 unsheltered picnic tables throughout the upper and lower day-use areas. All first-come, first-served basis.

Activities


Trails


  • Two miles of hiking trails

Water Activities & Features


  • Boating
  • Clamming
  • Crabbing
  • Diving
  • Oysters
  • Personal watercraft
  • Saltwater fishing
  • Swimming
  • Water skiing

Other Activities & Features


  • Beach exploration
  • Bird watching
  • Two fire circles
  • Wildlife viewing
 

Additional Information


  • Most of the activities at Kopachuck center around the beach. During low tide, the sun warms the sand, which in turn warms the water brought in by the tide. The sandy beach is ideal for wading, sand-castle building and exploring the marine habitat.
  • The most popular day-use area is the beach. Getting there requires a short 1/8-mile walk down a hill. People with limited mobility may drive or be driven to the beach. Contact park staff to make such transportation arrangements.
  • A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information, or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.