Penrose Point State Park Things to Do Tips by glabah

Trails: "A Touch of Nature Interpretive Trail"

As the only trail at Penrose Point State Park that doesn't allow mountain biking, the surface is in fairly good condition, while the other trails have some fairly significant mud holes in wet weather due to being torn up by the mountain bikes. Signs at trails connecting to this trail inform bikers to walk their bikes while they are on this portion of the park's trail system.

The features along the trail are numbered, with a sign at the main entrance to the trail giving some meaning to the numbers. To really get some value out of the interpretive trail, however, you need to have a brocure that tells the real story behind each of the markers and what is going on at that location. Unforuntately, the park had run out of such brochures upon my visit to the trail.

Directions: Turn right at at the main intersection in the park. After arriving at the paved parking area, you will find a restroom facility to the left of the beach. The entrance to the interpretive trail is to the left of the restroom facility.

Website: http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Penrose%20Point&subject=all

Picnic Facilities: wide variety, some with views

There are quite a number of picnic tables scattered throughout Penrose Point State Park, many of them with nearby barbecue stands. Many of these picnic tables have a view of Mayo Cove.

There are two picnic shelters that are large enough to cover one table. All picnic tables and the two shelters are considered "first come first served".

On a good day, you could just set up your picnic on the beach or grass - there's a lot of open space in a few locations. Follow the hiking trails to get to more remote areas of the beaches along the shores of the park.

Please make sure you take you trash out with you!

Directions: Picnic facilities are scattered throughout the entire park. The most tables are nearest the parking areas.

Website: http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Penrose%20Point&subject=all

Trails: Hiking and Mountain Biking

There are approximately 2.5 miles (4.1 km) of trails in Penrose Point State Park. These trails range from very well built wide gravel to narrow muddy trails. If it is wet, some of the trails become impassable due to deep water across the trail.

Mountain biking is allowed on ALL trails EXCEPT for a small loop near one of the day use parking area, which is fairly well marked and has signs telling riders to walk their bikes while they are on that area of the trail system.

The trail system is extremely well marked, including a map of the trail system at each trail interchange. Each trail interchange is given a letter designation, and it is then possible to associate that trail intersection with the location on the map.

Directions: Trails are located all through the park, but the best place is to start from the day use picnic area: at T at end of road turn right and park in the paved parking area at the beach.

Website: http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Penrose%20Point&subject=all

Beaches: explore and play

There are a number of beaches at Penrose Point State Park. Some of these are very close to parking area, while others require a short walk through the woods in order to access. Some of them are sandy, while others are more gravel or small rocks than sand.

Crabbing, clamming, and oyster hunting (only in season) are other activities that are allowed here on the beaches.

But, I think most people just come to enjoy the beaches, without actually "doing" much at all in the way of active activities.

After all, what is the point of relaxation if one doesn't spend the time relaxing?

Address: 321 158th Avenue KPS, Lakebay, WA 98349

Directions: At T in road into park, turn left. If you are adventurous, follow the hiking trails from the parking lot to the various more remote beaches, or just use the beach right there by the parking area.

Website: http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Penrose%20Point&subject=all