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.
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.
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).
2010 FeesStandard campsite, $19.
Full utility campsite, $26.
Partial utility campsite, $25.
Primitive campsite and water trail camping, $12
An additional $3 fee (standard) or $5 fee (utility) may be charged for select premium campsites at some parks.
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 hoursCheck-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 during the summer; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
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.
Park Winter Schedule
| Campground Closes |
| Campground Reopens |
| Day-Use Closes |
| Day-Use Reopens |
| Watercraft Launch Closes |
| Watercraft Launch Reopens | |
| Open |
| Open |
| Open |
| Open |
| Open |
| Open |
|
Winter Schedule for all Washington State Parks
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
Joemma Beach downloadable pdf map #2
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 |
| • Boating (saltwater)
• 1 boat ramp (saltwater)
• Fishing (saltwater)
• Water Skiing (saltwater)
• Crabbing
| • Beachcombing
|
Beachcombing is also popular.
|
Boating Features
There is one boat ramp.
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.
Events
Full list of
events at Washington State Parks
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
The park provides one sheltered and seven unsheltered picnic tables. The picnic shelter is reservable for a maximum of 50 people and requires a fee. To reserve call (888) 226-7688 and ask for the Penrose/Joemma beach shelter. 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
We'll be adding photos to this page soon.