Kopachuck State Park is beautiful throughout all the seasons we experience in the Pacific Northwest, but the best time of year is in the summer, when that cool breeze blows in from the Carr Inlet and you dig your toes into the warm sand along the beach. This 109 -acre marine and camping park has 5,600 feet of saltwater shoreline, and provides scenic views of sunsets, the Olympic Mountains and the Puget Sound.
Kopachuck aptly named “at water” by the Chinook Tribe offers 41 tent spaces, a dump site, a restroom and showers and is surrounded by Douglas Firs. During low tide, the sun warms up the sand, and warms up the water brought in by the tide. Enjoy a little swimming and kayaking here. There’s also an easy loop trail where you can wander among giant maple and cedar trees.
Other activities and features include boating, clamming, crabbing, diving (Kopachuck Underwater Park), saltwater fishing, oyster harvesting, bird watching and wildlife viewing.
On the corner of Kopachuck Drive NW and Ray Nash Drive Northwest is the Island View Public House and Market, where you can enjoy a cold pint of beer or a glass of wine with friends, snack on a cheese plate and enjoy the incredible view. They also have a gas station and a small grocery store that carries some locally made items and has been serving this community for over 50 years.
Downtown Gig Harbor is only 6 miles away and there are some local favorites like The Green Turtle and Tides Tavern that you don’t want to miss! Both have mouth watering menus of fresh seafood dishes. Another great dining option on the water is Netshed No. 9 where you won’t want to miss the house made cinnamon rolls! All have stunning views along the water and the Gig Harbor Lighthouse. Get your fresh fruits and veggies at the Gig Harbor Farmers Market - open on Saturdays. Listen to live music and pick up a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Need to get a little shopping done? You’ll find Target, Albertsons, Costco, Walgreens and more just miles away.
Just 12 minutes away is Uptown Gig Harbor - Here you can find an abundance of dining and shopping like, Moctezuma’s Mexican Restaurant (amazing happy hour and margaritas). It’s a great place to go for dinner before taking in a movie at the Galaxy Uptown Luxury Theater. There’s also a Marshall’s, Talbots, Kohl’s, Michael’s, Ben & Jerry’s, Cutter’s Point Coffee, Panera, Safeway, Starbucks and Domo Sushi. For other grocery needs, Fred Meyer and Harbor Greens are on the other side of Olympic Drive NW.
