Tolmie: Overview
Park overview:
Tolmie State Park is a 105-acre marine day-use park with 1,800 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound. This forested park is on Nisqually Beach, a few miles from Olympia, the state's capital city. The park offers a variety of beachside activities and an underwater park that contains an artificial reef built in cooperation with scuba divers.Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page.
Park hours/updates:
Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk Wednesdays through Sundays, Sept. 17 through April 15.
Agency information:
Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.
The Discover Pass now can be used on either of two vehicles!Annual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, the Discover Pass is not required if you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, for the duration of your stay at that state park. For additional exemptions and more information, please visit the Discover Pass website.
Campsite Information:
There is no camping available at this park, but there are five mooring buoys available for boaters who wish to tie up and stay overnight on their boats.Park Features
The park features an underwater park for scuba divers, a saltwater marsh, a beach, a forest and abundant wildlife.
History
The park is named for Dr. William Fraser Tolmie (1812-1886) who spent 16 years with the Hudson Bay Company at Fort Nisqually as a physician, surgeon, botanist and fur trader.Interpretive opportunities
Displays on the beach and in the upper picnic areas describe the evolution/ecology of the shoreline and the history of the park.Services/Supplies
| Available in the area | |
| • Auto repair • Camping • Diesel • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Gifts • Golf • Groceries • Hardware • Hospital • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Postal service • Propane |
All services are available within a few miles of the park.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
| • 3 mi. Hiking Trails | • Boating (saltwater) • Diving • Fishing (saltwater) • Swimming (saltwater) • Clamming • Crabbing | • Beach Exploration • Bird Watching • 2 Fire Circles • Wildlife Viewing |
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 & Wildlife website. | ||
Events
Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free. The Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park on ten designated free days in 2013.
The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:
Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:
Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Find other events at Washington State Parks
Boating Features
The park provides five mooring buoys. Moorage fees are charged year round for mooring at docks, floats and buoys from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m.Picnic and Day-use Facilities
The park provides two kitchen shelters with electricity, plus 11 sheltered and 20 unsheltered picnic tables. Kitchen shelters include picnic tables, water, sinks and grills. Both kitchen shelters can accommodate up to 50 guests. Due to limited parking, only one shelter may be reserved at a time. Early reservations are recommended. Visitors are encouraged to carpool. To reserve a kitchen shelter, call the park at (360) 456-6464.Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
| • Chipmunks • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Rabbits • Raccoons • Skunks • Squirrels | • Crows or Ravens • Ducks • Eagles • Geese • Gulls • Hawks • Herons • Hummingbirds • Jays • Ospreys • Owls • Woodpeckers • Wrens | • Clams • Crabs • Mussels • Oysters • Sea Birds • Seals • Shellfish • Shrimp • Bullhead • Cod • Eel • Perch • Salmon • Shark • Steelhead • Trout |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | Plant Life | ||
| • Cedar • Douglas Fir • Hemlock • Yew • Alder • Maple • Foxglove • Rhododendron • Berries • Eel Grass • Ferns • Moss or Lichens • Seaweed |
