Point Defiance - Fort Nisqually and View Point
About
Point Defiance - Fort Nisqually and View Point is a public ocean beach in Washington, set within the Fort Nisqually Grounds about a mile from the town of Ruston. The site has restrooms and accessible access, and there is no fee to visit. Swimming is not allowed here, 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 show July and August highs around 76°F with only four to five wet days a month, while winter months bring highs in the mid-40s and rain on 20 or more days. Climbers can head to Wilson Way Bridge Boulder, about a mile away, or Point Defiance Park, just over a mile off. Hikers have the Puget Canyon Trail and Adam Tallman Nature Park Trail, both roughly 3 miles away.
Beach Details
Swimming
Not allowed
Parking
Available
Fee
Free
Restrooms
Yes
Accessible access
Yes
As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.
Location
Point Defiance - Fort Nisqually and View Point
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: May–Sep. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 64–76°F and lows of 47–54°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Tacoma Narrows Ap, WA weather station, 3.2 mi away. High / low in °F.
- Jan46° high36° low
- Feb48° high37° low
- Mar53° high39° low
- Apr57° high41° low
- May64° high47° low
- Jun70° high51° low
- Jul76° high54° low
- Aug76° high54° low
- Sep70° high51° low
- Oct59° high46° low
- Nov50° high40° low
- Dec46° high36° low
Where it is
- Fort Nisqually Grounds · Public land
- Nearest town
- Ruston, Washington · 1.1 mi
Source: NIFC Jurisdictional Units; USGS GNIS populated places
Nearby
- Wilson Way Bridge BoulderRock climbing1 mi
- Point Defiance ParkRock climbing1.1 mi
- Puget Canyon TrailHiking3 mi
- Adam Tallman Nature Park TrailHiking3.1 mi
- Hidden Beach TrailHiking3.6 mi
- Lost Lake TrailHiking3.7 mi
- Central-West Cascades & SeattleRock climbing4.4 mi
- TacomaRock climbing6.8 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
