Nearly a quarter of a million people live in Tacoma, which is just south of Seattle and north of Olympia, the state capital. First Nations peoples have lived on the shores of Puget Sound for thousands of years. The first colonists didn't arrive until roughly the 1850s as part of the larger migration that made up the Gold Rush. Beginning May 10, 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad started service from Omaha to Sacramento after the Golden Spike was driven home in Utah. Four years later, the northwestern terminus was completed just outside of Tacoma. A decade later, a further line was added, and it connected Minneapolis.
Restaurants from the Olive Branch to Duke's Chowder House provide a wide range of cuisine from "stick-to-your-ribs" fare to fine dining. The city's restaurants include something for international palates, too, with places like Loak Toung Thai, Sushi Tama, and The Church Cantina serving world-class food.
If horticulture is your thing, then you will love the multiple botanical gardens and conservancies in Tacoma. The Pacific Bonsai Museum is of special note. Kubota Garden further explores Asian planting techniques, and the Point Defiance Rose Garden is a wonderful contrast.
The most famous thing about Tacoma is its world-renowned glass art. The Museum of Glass is the hub of all glass-related activity in the city. It provides demonstrations and even "blow your own glass" classes for those who are interested. The museum features exhibitions of both modern and traditional glass art that encompass many techniques from the minuscule to the grand.
Campgrounds Near Tacoma, Washington
There are no RV campgrounds of note in Tacoma itself, the closest being in Puyallup. There are, however, at least a dozen within a 30-minute drive of Tacoma. The Vasa Park Resort is a full-on glamping location. The sites are fully paved, and there are full hookups of every kind at each site. It's so popular, in fact, that calling in advance for reservations is a very good idea. The park has lots to do for children, including a water park, so it's a great choice for families.
Manchester State Park provides an extensive shoreline on Puget Sound. It's well-known as a spot for history buffs. The large brick building on the premises used to be a torpedo warehouse. The park's RV sites aren't luxurious, but there is a volleyball court and horseshoe pit for families to remain active. The two-mile hiking trail is great for a leisurely stroll after dinner.
If quiet contemplation is what you seek, then the Lake Pleasant RV Park is the place for you. It's got nearly 200 sites with full hookups, and the placid lakeside setting is just the right place to unwind and drop a fishing line. It's got gentle hiking trails, and even as quiet as it is, there are restaurants and other interesting things to see and do just behind the tree line. You can even break out your putter and practice your stroke at the putting green while birds playfully serenade you in the trees.
State Parks Near Tacoma, Washington
Dash Point State Park is right on Puget Sound. At just 400 acres, it's small but not tiny. The fishing is marvelous. The beach is relaxing. Kayaking through the waterways and small lakes is a great way to unwind. The park has 100 campsites that can accommodate 40-foot RVs. It's a very popular location, so reservations are a fine idea. If the campground is full, then there are other campgrounds near the location where you can hole up for the evening or even longer.
Saltwater State Park is the only state park that offers scuba diving on a natural reef. The reef is a protected sanctuary, but the experience of diving on it to see the myriad fish, crustaceans, and other marine wildlife is sure to be memorable. You can build a sand castle and wade in the water as well. If you time it right, you can even see salmon spawning in the park's creeks. If you plan to fish or gather shellfish, then you will need to secure a permit.
Penrose Point State Park juts out into Puget Sound and provides a stunning view of Mount Rainier across the water. On a clear day, the mountain is a veritable sentry for the city of Seattle. A permit is required for fishing. The 2.5-mile long nature trail is just right for "working off your dinner" with an evening constitutional. The park's RV sites accommodate up to 35-foot rigs, and they're considered primitive sites without hookups or WiFi. Even though you might be roughing it at the campground, there are small towns with lots to offer campers dotted around the countryside.
National Sites Near Tacoma, Washington
Seattle's Space Needle celebrated its 50th anniversary in April 2022. At a little more than 600 feet tall, the Space Needle is almost as tall as the Great Arch of St. Louis. It was built for the World's Fair in 1962. The idea was for it to symbolize the quest for space travel that had been jump-started by the "Space Race" with the Russians. If you don't mind heights, then grabbing a cocktail in the lounge with the glass floor 60 stories off the ground is a unique experience.
Snoqualmie Falls is a 270-foot drop of cascading water flanked by observation decks above and below. At night, you can see a fabulous display of lights playing off the water droplets. More than 1.5 million people come to these falls to experience the peaceful grandeur of this place. You can bring your dogs, too, as long as they are leashed, and you clean up after them.
To get to San Juan Island National Historical Park, you must fly or take a ferry. Because of the size of most RVs, they won't fit well on the ferry. Therefore, it's a good idea for you to leave your RV at one of the Tacoma campgrounds and drive a car to the dock or to Boeing Field. It's just 28 miles to the airport. San Juan Island's museums are fun and educational, and the hiking trails around the island are easy and offer terrific scenery. Amateur lepidopterists will appreciate several species of butterflies along the Mount Finlayson Loop Trail.
National Forests Near Tacoma, Washington
Olympic National Forest is a rainforest. There are waterfalls throughout the area and easy-to-moderate hiking trails to get to see them all. The other two main trails in the forest, the Colonel Bob Trail and the Mount Walker Trail, are strenuous and long and are for experienced hikers. The trout will be biting in Crescent Lake, so anglers can catch their own dinner.
Despite being home to Mount St. Helens, Gifford Pinchot National Forest is not well-known. The wildlife there is varied and well worth photographing. Several endangered species populate the forest, including the spotted owl. Throughout the seasons, the temperatures in this forest are mild, making it a great place to hike and enjoy outdoor life any time of year.
Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest offers 1,500 miles of hiking trails for hikers of all skill and endurance levels. The salmon fishing in season is some of the best in the country, and you'll probably have to compete with the bald eagles of the area for the fish. The other wildlife in the area, which includes elk, mule deer, and bears, is diverse and wonderful. If you geocache, then you can do so in the park as long as you don't encroach on the 10 wilderness areas.
