Kopachuck State Park

You'd never expect so much solitude so close to a major city. Just 12 miles northwest of Tacoma [1] off Highway 16 and seven miles northwest of Gig Harbor [2] (follow the signs), Kopachuck State Park (253/265-3606, www.parks.wa.gov [3], tents $17) has a campground (no RV hookups) and picnic areas. The 103-acre Kopachuck State Park is shaded by tall pines and has a beach for swimming, clamming, and fishing.

Kopachuck is one of Puget Sound’s most beautiful parks, and even includes the small (5.5 acres) Cutts Island, a marine park only a short distance offshore with mooring buoys. Scuba divers come here to explore an underwater park with a sunken barge.

Kopachuck’s campground is open from late April to early October. Make reservations ($7 extra) at 888/226-7688 or www.parks.wa.gov [3].