Dickman Mill Park
About
Dickman Mill Park is a public ocean beach in Washington, about 1.9 miles from Tacoma. It's a simple stop with restrooms and parking on site, and there's no fee to visit. Swimming is not allowed, so plan on enjoying the shoreline from the beach rather than the water. Summer is the most comfortable time to come. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Tacoma put July and August highs around 77°F with only about four wet days a month, while winter brings highs in the upper 40s and rain on most days. Several trails sit close by, starting with Puget Canyon Trail just 0.3 miles away and Garfield Gulch Trail at 0.9 miles. For something different, Point Defiance Park, about 2.4 miles off, is a climbing area, and DeLong Park Trail is roughly 2.3 miles away.
Beach Details
Swimming
Not allowed
Parking
Street / roadside
Fee
Free
Restrooms
Yes
As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.
Location
Dickman Mill Park
Washington
Data: Washington State Department of Ecology, Coastal Atlas public beach access. Source metadata
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: Apr–Oct. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 60–77°F and lows of 44–57°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Tacoma #1, WA weather station, 3.6 mi away. High / low in °F.
- Jan48° high37° low
- Feb50° high37° low
- Mar55° high40° low
- Apr60° high44° low
- May66° high49° low
- Jun71° high53° low
- Jul77° high57° low
- Aug77° high57° low
- Sep71° high53° low
- Oct61° high47° low
- Nov52° high41° low
- Dec47° high37° low
Nearby
Puget Canyon TrailHikingPhoto: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)0.3 mi- Garfield Gulch TrailHiking0.9 mi
- DeLong Park TrailHiking2.3 mi
- Point Defiance ParkRock climbing2.4 mi
- Wilson Way Bridge BoulderRock climbing2.5 mi
- Hillside LoopHiking2.9 mi
- TacomaRock climbing3.8 mi
- Central-West Cascades & SeattleRock climbing7.7 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Best time to visit Dickman Mill Park
Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
48° / 37°
19 wet
Feb
50° / 37°
16 wet
Mar
55° / 40°
17 wet
Apr
60° / 44°
14 wet
May
66° / 49°
11 wet
Jun
71° / 53°
8 wet
Jul
77° / 57°
4 wet
Aug
77° / 57°
4 wet
Sep
71° / 53°
8 wet
Oct
61° / 47°
14 wet
Nov
52° / 41°
19 wet
Dec
47° / 37°
20 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Tacoma #1, WA, 3.6 mi away at 25 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
