One of the best things about Thurston County is our parks! If you are looking for a park near Olympia or Lacey that’s great for picnicking, walking and more, check out Tolmie State Park! Tolmie State Park offers clamming, tide pooling, nature trails and even a reef for scuba divers.
How to Get to Tolmie State Park
From Olympia or the Lacey area, head north on 1-5. Take Exit 111, towards Marvin Road S. Turn left off the exit onto Marvin Road NE. Go through four roundabouts, taking the second exit at each. When you come to the T in the road, turn right onto 56th Avenue NE. In .5 miles, turn left onto Hill Street NE. In .5 miles, take a slight left onto 61st Avenue NE. At the stop sign, turn right into Tolmie State Park.
You will need a Discover Pass, unless you go on a Discover Pass free day – check out the dates for the year on the Discover Pass website. They do have an automated pay station at the park, so you can pay for just a day if you like. Other things to note:
- Tolmie State Park is a day-use only park, no overnight camping. In the summer, the park opens at 8 a.m. and in the winter at 9 a.m. Gates close at dusk.
- Bikes are not allowed on the trails.
- Leashed dogs are allowed. Leashes must be less than 8 feet and used in all areas, including the beach. Remember to leave no trace and to pick up after your dog!
- There are bathrooms, including ADA bathrooms.
Things To Do At Tolmie State Park
Tolmie State Park near Lacey is a great place to take the whole family, with plenty to see and do. The park’s beach at low tide provide the perfect opportunity for tide-pooling – kids will love looking for aquatic wildlife! Just remember to respect them and look, but not touch.
Tolmie State Park is a great place for clam, mussel and oyster harvesting year-round. Crabbing at Tolmie State Park is also popular! The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and the Department of Health will announce when these activities are permitted. Check with these departments before heading out. Harvesters have the best luck finding oysters and crabs at Tolmie State Park, more than clams.
The beautiful beach and evergreen forest provide a lovely backdrop for a picnic at this Thurston County park. Tolmie State Park has two kitchen shelters with electricity, tables, water, sinks and grills. These are perfect for hosting a birthday party, reunion, grad night and other events. You can reserve the lower shelter online or by calling 888.CAMPOUT. The upper shelter can be reserved by calling 360.456.6464 – reservation of this shelter includes an amphitheater. The park also has 11 sheltered picnic tables and 20 unsheltered picnic tables for those wanting to have a bite to eat with the family. There are firepits, be sure to check with the County to make sure there are no burn bans in place before lighting one.
Spend the afternoon searching for treasure with a metal detector, fishing (be sure to have a license!) or just reading a book in the serene atmosphere. Two trails are great for those looking for some exercise under a beautiful canopy of evergreen and deciduous trees. If the tide is in, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding and boating are all allowed at Tolmie State Park. While the park is day use only, you can moorage for the night.
Scuba Diving Near Olympia
One of the unique features of Tolmie State Park is its underwater park! An artificial reef was created to provide for scuba divers and diving. This fun activity near Olympia is something the whole family can do. Don’t worry if you have never done scuba diving, just contact Off the Hook Diving in Lacey.
Off the Hook Diving takes people to Tolmie State Park often, because it’s a safe place to dive with lots of interesting things hiding beneath the waves. Look for sunken barges, along with a myriad of marine life. They offer classes and even equipment sales, so when you get hooked, you can get set up to return on your own as often as you like!
Tolmie is a great state park near Olympia that offers a large variety of outdoor recreation for the whole family. Whether you want to walk, fish, look for sea life, picnic or just enjoy nature, you’ll be glad you check out this park.
Ready for another adventure? Walk the Mima Mounds, bike North Slope, or kayak Black River Gate area or, for a challenge, the northern part of the Black River.
Sponsored
