Complete information for Joemma Beach

Park overview:

Joemma Beach State Park is a 122-acre marine camping park with 3,000 feet of saltwater frontage on southeast Key Peninsula. Aside from the natural beauty of park and surroundings, the area is an excellent place for fishing, boating and crabbing.

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 9:30 p.m.
Winter: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The park is open year round for camping and day use.

Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

Winter Schedule for all Washington State Parks

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.

Campsite Information:

The park has 19 tent spaces and five vault toilets (all ADA). In addition, there are two water trail sites (available only to campers arriving by human-powered watercraft) and two primitive hiker/biker sites (no motorized vehicles permitted). Maximum site length is 40 feet (may have limited availability). All campsites are first come, first served.

2013 camping fees:

Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).

May 15 – Sept. 15 (peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $23 non-premium site, $26 premium site
Partial-utility campsite*: $30 non-premium site, $35 premium site
Full-utility campsite*: $32 non-premium site, $37 premium site
*Please note: Camping fees during the 2013 peak season are $28 for partial-utility sites and $29 for full-utility sites at Beacon Rock, Lewis & Clark and Schafer state parks. These parks are first come, first served.

Jan. 1 – May 14 and Sept. 16 – Dec. 31 (off-peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $22 for non-premium and premium sites
Partial-utility campsite: $28 for non-premium and premium sites
Full-utility campsite: $29 for non-premium and premium sites

Maximum eight people per campsite.

Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.

Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.

More about park hours
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park from April 1 through Sept. 30; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.

Driving Directions

Located 28 miles southwest of Tacoma, Wash. in Pierce County.


Park address:
20001 Bay Road KPS
Lakebay, WA 98459

From Tacoma:
Take Hwy. 16 to Purdy exit. At the light turn left onto Hwy 302, which changes into Key Peninsula Hwy. Travel approximately 15 miles and turn right on Whiteman Rd. Go approximately four miles, turn right and travel on Bay Rd. approximately one mile. Stay on asphalt into park.

Park Maps

Joemma Beach downloadable pdf map #1


List of all downloadable Washington State Park maps.

Park Features

This forested park set on Puget Sound provides a boat launch and water trail campsites. Fishing and crabbing attract visitors.

History

This property was granted to Washington at statehood in 1889 for the support of common schools. The original recreation site was developed beginning in 1961 and was named Robert F. Kennedy Recreation Area on opening day in 1968. The property was transferred to State Parks in 1995 and was renamed "Joemma Beach State Park" after Joe and Emma Smith who lived on the premises from 1917 to 1932.

Interpretive opportunities

There are currently no interpretive opportunities at this park.

Services/Supplies

Available in the park	Available in the area
• Camping	• Camping • Pay phone

The nearest gas station with basic groceries and a post office is five miles away.

Activities

Trails	Water Activities	Other
• 0.8 mi. Hiking Trails	• Boating (saltwater) • 1 boat ramp (saltwater) • Fishing (saltwater) • Water Skiing (saltwater) • Crabbing	• Beach Exploration • Bird Watching • 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

Events
Date/time	Event description	State Park
Daily event Memorial Day - Labor Day	Centennial Interactive Map – Joemma Beach: See where Joemma Beach State Park's centennial visitors are from on an in-park interactive map display. When visitors come to the park, they can mark where they have traveled from to experience the beauty and uniqueness of Joemma Beach State Park. The display will be posted on the bulletin board near the dock from Memorial Day through Labor Day to celebrate Washington State Parks' 100th year.	Joemma Beach (253) 884-2514

Full list of events at Washington State Parks

Boating Features

There is one boat ramp and 500 feet of dock space. The docks are available from mid-May through mid-October; offering 30 feet of moorage at low tide.

Please note: Boaters have the right of way to the docks.

A daily watercraft launching permit for $7 and a trailer dumping permit for $5 is available at the park.

Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.

Picnic and Day-use Facilities

The park provides one sheltered and seven unsheltered picnic tables. The picnic shelter has a maximum capacity of 50 people. The picnic shelter and unsheltered picnic sites are all available on a first-come, first served basis.

Wildlife

Mammals	Birds	Fish & Sea Life
• Chipmunks • Foxes • Raccoons	• Crows or Ravens • Gulls • Herons • Hummingbirds • Wrens	• Clams • Crabs • Mussels • Sea Birds • Seals • Shellfish • Starfish • Bullhead • Perch • Steelhead

Environmental Features

Physical Features		Plant Life
		• Douglas Fir • Maple • Berries • Ferns • Seaweed

Park photo gallery