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    Sunnyside Beach Park

    4.1 (35 reviews)

    Sunnyside Beach Park Photos

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    New beaches.
    Kathryn Y.

    I cannot believe it has taken me so long to write this review. While visiting a friend we took a drive to this beach. It is amazingly unique to any beach I have been to. The forest is right next to the beach and the trees are hanging off the cliff above. There was a huge tree that had falled off the cliff and it was covered in barnacles. The views are outstanding. I might move here. Just kidding, but it is an amazing place to visit. Plenty of parking and the walk down to the beach is equally beatiful. There was large green lawn with deer. You walk past some private residences on the way to the beach. I could live here. if I wanted to do. But nope, I am a California girl. I digress! Next time I visit, I will be sure to visit this beach again. You should too! Cheers and happy Yelping!

    Fun in the sun
    Brittney K.

    We have lived here for over 10 years and this was our first time stopping at this beach! We went one day randomly after the Steilacoom Farmers Market which is only 2-3 mins away. It was a beautiful sunny day and my kids has a blast. I like how you don't have to walk far to get to the sandy beach area. It gets really busy on a nice day but there is plenty of space to spread out. The water is cold but you get use to it. It's kid friendly, the eater isn't choppy. There isn't much shade so bring a canopy or umbrella especially on a hot day! Tip ~ You need cash to pay for parking. You have to cross a small strip of train tracks to get to the beachfront. They have showers to rinse off Playground is fun for the kids Restaurants and I've cream nearby Get there early if you want good parking on a hot day! They have benches and shelter picnic areas near the playground. The water is clean and clear

    Jeanee V.

    Sunnyside Beach Park is a great place to bring the kids, have a picnic and lounge in the beautiful sunshine. There is a lot of space at this park. For me, it's a place to launch my kayak. I really enjoyed kayaking from Sunnyside to Chambers Bay and back. It's always nice to get out and stretch at the half way point. It's a beautiful area. The only thing that's a little bit of a pain is having to go down the hill from parking and cross a railroad to get to the beach - it doesn't make it the easiest place to launch - but worth the trouble.

    Bathrooms
    Karisa S.

    What a perfect little spot to bring the kids and let them play in the calm water. The beach isn't huge but there is enough room to lay a blanket out and gets some sun and watch the babes play. The beach seemed pretty clean. Right above the beach area is two volleyball nets, a pavilion with tables, bathrooms, and a decent size playground. The only downfall is that there is train tracks VERY close to the beach and volleyball nets. There is a train coming every 15 to 20 minutes and there is nothing that prevents you from going on to the tracks when the train is crossing. It is extremely important to keep an eye on the little ones who might want to venture closer for a better look. Parking is not free and will only set you back $5 for an entire day. I will be back again!

    Jason L.

    Sunnyside Beach Park is probably one of the best parks in Steilacoom and that doesn't say much because it's the only park I've been to in Steilacoom. You can get a really nice view of the water and can also see chambers bay from here which is pretty nice. The only downsides of this place is that there is pretty limited parking and cars can pay 5 dollars to park here the whole day which can be a pro and a con. This place is also right by the train tracks which gets really noisy every so often when a train passes by. Usually this place isn't that crowded but on July 4th, it was packed during the noon time. You could probably have a better experience at Chambers Bay which is a lot bigger and the view from Chambers Bay is also a lot nicer than the view from here

    Sunset parking lot

    Absolutely beautiful beautiful very clean me and my family enjoyed it it's right by the water a little dangerous train tracks but just be careful and watch your kids

    Walking along the beach.

    This is an awesome little park. There is an area for playing volleyball and some grassy areas for sports or for children to run around. There is a covered pavilion area with tables and benches for parties and get togethers. The bathrooms are clean and well-maintained. The best part of this park, though, is the beach. Sunnyside is a beautiful beach for walking. The views of the Sound are spectacular, especially on a sunny day. You can also catch a glimpse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in the distance. When a train isn't passing by and blowing its horn, it's quiet and peaceful. The park is scattered with benches which offer peaceful moments of introspection. I would love to come here to sit and write and draw and stare out at the water.

    8/8/2010
    Elizabeth C.

    This location is beautiful! It's a wonderful place to hang out during the summer because it's right on the water & there is beach access for those wanting to cool off. It has a volleyball net set up, a covered picnic area (as well as some uncovered tables) as well as a small playground for the kiddos.

    Beautiful scenery!

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Water was colder than I would have liked. I guess I need to go back to Lake Samamish if I want to go in the water.

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    6 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Stopped by a bit...it's an access point to the water to cool off. Nothing more...nothing less!!

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    14 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Sunnyside Beach Park

    Review Highlights - Sunnyside Beach Park

    “00 for non-residents and there are train tracks where trains come by frequently on certain days.”

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

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    Farrel's Marsh Wildlife Area - Tree frog on blackberry vine

    Farrel's Marsh Wildlife Area

    5.0(4 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    At the top of Chambers street in Steilacoom, lies 62 acres of hidden paradise with a 15-acre pond…read morecalled Farrell's Marsh. This treasured wetland and park is home to a diverse biosphere of native plants, birds, mammals, and amphibians. The main trail of the park is a vestige of the historic road between Fort Steilacoom and Fort Nisqually constructed in the 1830s by the Hudson Bay Company. A pre 1917 Assessors Map shows the marsh, then known as Light's Swamp, as a continuous swamp of approximately 40 acres. Around 1917 the marsh was drained to create a pasture for livestock. In 1930 Fort Lewis bisected the land with a road off Union Avenue. By the 1960s pastoral farming ended to urbanization as Steilacoom expanded. The new developments increased street drainage and outflow, partially reviving the marsh. In 1975 it was purchased by the town with a State grant to be preserved as a protected wetland. Kill Trap Wetlands are ideal for beaver, natures ecosystem engineers, and provide habitat for many endangered species. The algae and plants in the pond improve water quality by absorbing dissolved nutrients, processing organic wastes, and detoxifying toxic street runoff (e.g. heavy metals, pesticides and fertilizers). Through the years beaver have inhabited the marsh and in December 2019 returned, strengthening the derelict dam at the 1917 man made outflow. During the wet months of January, the dam held fast with heavy rains exceeding 5.5 inches in just 5 days, while still allowing a continuous flow of water. The park has recently become a local controversy over how the town plans to mitigate the beavers and the dam. The concern is the potential to downstream flooding, should the dam break. Past flooding has occurred largely due to undersized, substandard and blocked culverts along Union Avenue. Kill Trap Mayor Ron Lucas confirmed he hired a trapper to trap and kill the beaver after a park visitor discovered a lethal "Conibear" kill trap and surveillance camera near one of the trails. There was an immediate concern for public safety since no warning signage was posted and these dangerous traps which could easily kill a large dog or injure a child. The traps, according to the mayor, have been removed with the plans on hold, but as of 29 May, the trail camera remains. COVID-19 has restricted wildlife management from dispatching specialists to the field. However, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) advised council woman Nancy Henderson that the impact of the beaver should be objectively assessed prior to implementing any further plans. Pursuant to RCW 77.55 a Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) permit must be issued by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) to remove or modify a beaver dam on a natural or modified watercourse. Trail Surveilance Camera Dees and Associates 1998 Farrell's Marsh Basin Study advised to effectively achieve flood control a 2.25-foot-wide outlet should be installed. Driveway culverts should be up sized to between 36-42 inches. None of the recommendations were implemented. WDFW stated beaver trapping is both costly and temporary, as beaver will return. Other mitigating more effective measures are available such as a flexible pond leveler or a beaver deceiver. So where are we today? Before further public monies are expended on trapping, subject matter experts must conduct a risk assessment of the current ineffective culvert drainage system on Union Avenue. WDRW Region 6 habitat biologists should be consulted regarding all recommended interventions. Decisions on the long-term impact of this wetland park should be discussed in public forum, including the elected members of the city council; not the unilateral decision of one person. Let's learn to live with them, not without them. Those who wish to remain current on this issue can join the Facebook Group, "Citizens for the Protection and Preservation of the Farrell Marsh."

    This is a tiny hidey-hole of a portal in a forgotten corner of Steilacoom. Enter this dark forest…read moreand you will immediately be surrounded by a sense of enigma...and foreboding... Tiny paths digress from the main trails and dead end at the moor's edge. Tangles of ivy and prickly things will grasp your arms and legs whilst curiosity leads you forward like a coy, evil faery with a casual giggle and a curled-finger. Onward, ever onward, you seek to know what lies just beyond the next bend in the dense hedges until you find yourself stepping into a circle of giant mushrooms, onto a muddy clearing that seems just slightly out of place. What looks like a path beckons from the other side, you take a step, then another. Your nervous bae fidgets behind you like a colt that smells a faint trace of blood spilled by some predatory feline. "Can we go back now?" she says, trying to mask the fear, the adrenaline that closes around her throat like icy fingers. "Let me just take a peek around this shrubbery. I see something weird...these roots...what?" "Bae?" "I'm sinking! My feet! Oh my god..." "BAE!!!!" "The blue lights, I see the blue lights. Run, J-Bae! Run!" "AHHHHHHH!" MEOW! A portal opens. The faery laughs and laughs. Your curiosity is sated...forever...

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    Farrel's Marsh Wildlife Area
    Farrel's Marsh Wildlife Area
    Farrel's Marsh Wildlife Area

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    Chambers Creek Regional Park

    Chambers Creek Regional Park

    4.4(35 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Chambers Creek Regional Park is one of my favorite places throughout the year. They have a wide…read morerange of activities at this park, such as golfing, biking, skateboarding, walking, running, picnicking, kite flying, and beer festivals. There's a pretty lengthy trail close to the street that also leads to the Chambers Bay Grill. At the grill, they host special events, weddings, and personal celebrations. The Grill has an average set of drinks on tap and a pretty decent food menu as well as outdoor seating for those who want to continue to take in the breathtaking views around the park. Additionally, there are several strategically placed Scenic Overlook/viewpoint areas where you can sit, take in a magnificent view of the sound and landscape of the golf course. I usually come here at least 2-3 times a month to walk down the steep decline to the golf course area/trail over to a bridge that extends slightly into the sound. Here is my meditative space - somewhere I can go for some quiet reflection.

    If you're looking for a park with tons of space and amazing views, you've found it here! Chambers…read moreCreek is HUGE! It's an old sand and gravel quarry turned golf course and park. I didn't see any playgrounds or splash pads while we were there but if you're hosting a picnic, BBQ or want to set up a volleyball net and have a tournament, this is a great place to do that. Mostly, I think that this park is best for folks who like to walk, run or jog a lot. They have a path along the road at the top of the park with some stunning views of water and Olympic peninsula from that path. The park has multiple walking paths with different levels of difficulty so I'm sure you'll find one to suit your needs. At the bottom of the park is some huge grassy areas that stretch a few acres right up to the water and it's a great place if you like to watch trains go by. They have at least one covered gathering place that you can rent and they can set up temporary tents if you need to rent space for your event. The park staff is friendly and always keeping an eye on things from their little offroad vehicles. They offer you extra trash bags if you've rented a space and they keep the park feeling safe and secure. I don't know much about golf, but the Chambers Creek golf course intertwines with the park so if you're a golfer, you can check it out. I hope to visit this park in the future and see what else I may be able to find. Until then, Cheers!

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    Chambers Creek Regional Park
    Chambers Creek Regional Park
    Chambers Creek Regional Park

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    Steilacoom Community Center - Playground on the back

    Steilacoom Community Center

    3.0(2 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    I went to the community center to get a senior menu. They always used to be on a table in front of…read morethe dining area. I stood in front of the help window about a foot from the employee who appeared to be staffing the window. She ignored me entirely, paying less attention to me than she would a bug. When this had gone on for some time, I rang the bell that's there to summon an employee for help and asked for a menu. She told me in a rude tone there weren't any in the office. I didn't believe her because there are almost always some in the back or they print one off the computer. She evenutally said she might be able to print one later but she was in the middle of a meeting. I said she didn't look like she was in a meeting but looked like she was there to help people. As I walked off she called out "Sorry" in a snotty, sarcastic tone of voice." This was about 10:00 on Fri, Nov 7. I would respectfully suggest that putting someone who is arrogant, sarcastic and demeaning at the help window doesn't give the community center a good look. I would also respectfully suggest that menus be put out on the table where they used to be so people can help themselves. I gave them 2 stars because some employees do a better job.

    My children and I walk to this hidden little park. I love that the community center. It has lots of…read moreactivities and clean bathrooms. There is a little workout gym and for $20 per month you may use it. It has a part time childcare center which looks fun. The playground is behind the main building and it has half a basketball court. If you live close by I recomend this little gem.

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    Steilacoom Community Center - View from back  Picnic tables to grab a bite

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    View from back Picnic tables to grab a bite

    American Lake Park

    American Lake Park

    3.3(24 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    Not much sand to really feel like a beach. Hella dirt instead that we were sunbathing on, so bring…read morea towel or a blanket to lay on. Water was very beautiful and super duper clear. So many water activities going on left and right with people fishing, jetskiing, riding on their personal boat, etc. it was a good time all around. Do not think that you can drink here. Be sure to bring snacks and drinks, especially with the hot weather going right now in the month of June 2026. Pick up after yourself so we could continue to have this beauty, please! Watch out for the military police. Multiple sites to rest at, including summer cove where I was at with my Asian migration group, hehe! Many parking spots no matter where it is that you and your group decide to settle at around this site.

    Out of all honesty I'm hovering between three to four stars on this park. Much of it revolves…read morearound the timing of when you go here I imagine. Most of the surrounding shore that makes up American Lake looks to be private and this park seems to be more of a boat launching point for the general public to use for utilizing the lake. The park itself is quite small and that also goes for the parking lot as well. The day I went was a warm day so the park was full as well as the designated lots. Filled lots for certain parks often times in neighborhoods aren't really that big of a deal because you can use curbside parking that is usually nearby but in this part of Lakewood there is no curbside parking at all and it looks like parking in front of someone's house doesn't seem like it's a good idea because one gets the idea you are parking in their yard and not on a curb. So what I did was park in an area that was designated for a school and carefully looked for any parking restrictions given the amount of time it would take for me to walk to the park, check it out for a bit then walk back. This proved to not be an issue parking here but the walk was a bit long. Fortunately the day that I picked to go to American Lake was a clear day and if you walk to the boat docks you can get a good view of Mount Rainier and the the lake itself is very pretty. But don't assume you can get a clear view of the mountain all of the time. Overcast is not unusual. There is also a decent looking beach here as far as lake beaches go but like everything the day I went it was fairly crowded. The boat ramp was in full use as well and a line of cars were waiting to unload as well. Definitely a very busy park the day I went despite it's size. Aside from the crowds this park isn't too bad and if you can enjoy the view of Mount Rainier and the water I'd definitely bump that aspect of the park up to four stars.

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    American Lake Park
    American Lake Park - Such a great view of Mt. Rainier!

    Such a great view of Mt. Rainier!

    American Lake Park

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    Sunnyside Beach Park - parks - Updated October 2026

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