Jacob's Point Park

The park has 100 beautiful acres of beach, woods, and wetlands.  Hikers will find about 2.5 miles of level, fairly easy trails to traverse.

The hike begins with a .4 mile hike from the trailhead through woods. You will pass over a raised 100-foot long walkway across a wetland that offers an opportunity to stop and enjoy one of the many ecosystems of this beautiful park. At least one family of coyotes has been frequently near the raised walkway and frogs sounds are deafening at times. 

Just past the wetland walkway, hikers will have the option to continue along the main trail or take the Brickyard Loop Trail. Along the main trail, scenic overlooks with spit rail fencing and picnic tables have views of Vega Bay, Oro Bay, South Puget Sound and Mt. Rainer. An interpretive sign with information about the Jacob’s family marks the short spur trail that leads to a lone mossy chimney…all that remains from the original Jacobs homestead.  

Eventually hikers encounter stair access to the beach with a sea cave near the bottom of the stairs. The main trail extends about 1/4  mile past the beach to an overlook with a gorgeous view of Mt. Rainer - on a clear day, and just past the beach stairs is a composting toilet and the other end of the Brickyard Loop Trail.

The recently established Brickyard Loop Trail is a .5 mile long trail, smaller and more natural than the wide main trail. From this loop trail, hikers can take a .2 mile spur trail that leads to the historic brickyard, a picnic table and another spot for beach access. Additional work is being done to uncover the brickyard, and the Park District expects to create interpretive signs for this site in the coming year.

With beach access from the main and brickyard trails, visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk along Jacob’s Point’s stone-pebble beach at low tide. This beach is also an excellent place for hand powered watercraft to take a break. 

Throughout this park, interpretive signs shares insight into the flora and fauna, and we encourage you to take the time to stop at the wetland walkway and overlooks to observe and listen to nature's sounds. This is a vibrant birding area, with both woodland and shore birds present in large numbers.
 

The waters around Jacobs Point are part of the Nisqually Reach Aquatic Reserve, and park shorelines provide food and shelter for juvenile salmon migrating out from the Nisqually Delta. The park has several distinct habitats including second-growth forest, two wetlands, clay bluffs, a seasonal creek with a small estuary, mudflats, and a gravelly beach. The forest has been logged and grazed, but is on its way back to its natural state.

Please keep in mind that this is a sensitive high value nature park.  Read more about how to minimize your impact in this special park, and please review and follow our standard park rules.

Also, be aware that the beaches are tidal and the banks are high.  There is "sucking mud" in some places.  Don't get trapped!  There is also an abundance of poison oak and nettles just off the trail.  Mitigation is an ongoing struggle so please stay on the trail. And for this park in particular, bring insect repellent!  

HISTORY

Historically the property was a pioneer farm and connected with a former brick yard which is was acquired by the Park District in 2016 and is now being developed as a historical site. Read more about the island history associated with this property and how we are working to learn more.
 

Jacobs Point Park was purchased in 2011 from Young Life with funds from the Pierce County Conservation Futures Fund and the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office’s Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account. The Conservation group Forterra guided the Park District through the grant and purchase processes.