A bald eagle sits on a seaweed-covered rock while kids peer into the glassy waters of Mayo Cove, pointing out sea stars and crabs. Welcome to life at Penrose Point State Park.
At low tide, this Puget Sound park is a clam and oyster bonanza in season. Crabbing and saltwater fishing are also popular here. Catch a glimpse of majestic Mount Rainier to the east; the enormous mountain seems to be floating on air.
As the tide comes up, beachgoers retreat to the grassy knoll above Carr Inlet and the forest beyond. Trails are rife with Douglas-fir, western red cedar, red alder, Pacific madrone and big-leaf maple and highlight an abundant understory of ferns, huckleberry and trillium.
After your hike or bike ride, wind down at a campfire and enjoy a shellfish feast or game of horseshoes, then pitch your tent in a shaded campsite. Boaters may sleep in the comfort of their vessels mooring along the dock or on a buoy.
PARK FEATURES
Penrose Point State Park is a richly forested, 237-acre marine and camping park on the shores of Puget Sound. The park has nearly 2 miles of saltwater frontage on Mayo Cove and Carr Inlet.
ADA AMENITIES/FACILITIES
Campground
PICNIC & DAY-USE FACILITIES
The park has two picnic shelters without electricity and 60 unsheltered picnic tables. All are first come, first served. A spacious day-use area at the beach features a large lawn, picnic tables, braziers, a small picnic shelter and a restroom.
ACTIVITIES
TRAILS
2.5 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails
WATER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
158 feet of dock
270 feet of moorage
Boating
Crabbing
Diving
Third bulleted item
Fishing (freshwater)
Oyster harvesting
Personal watercraft use
Swimming
Waterskiing
OTHER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
Beach exploration
Bird watching
Fire circles (3)
Third bulleted item
Horseshoe pits (2)
Mountain biking
Wildlife viewing
BOATING FEATURES
Located Pierce County on Puget Sound, Penrose Point provides 158 feet of dock. A picnic area with tables, braziers and a fire ring with benches are located near the dock. A short trail leads uphill to a small picnic shelter, visitor parking lot, campground and public restrooms. The nearest public boat launch is located in the town of Home, three miles from the park.
CAMPSITE INFORMATION
The camp provides 82 standard campsites one hiker/biker site, one Cascadia Marine Trail site, one dump station and three restrooms (two with showers). The campground is in the woods, and all sites are shady or partly shady. None of the campsites are on the water, but the beach is only a short walk away. Typical campsites accommodate a vehicle or combination of up to 35 feet. A few sites can handle longer vehicles or combinations, but the campground roadways are narrow and winding.
