Gig Harbor Undressed

Enjoying Gig Harbor’s Beaches

Recently, one of this blog’s readers lamented losing access to the Gig Harbor Lighthouse, and mentioned that there isn’t much waterfront access left to those of us without a boat.  He’s right.  Being surrounded by the Puget Sound is one of the things that draws people to Gig Harbor, but getting in and enjoying the water can be tricky.  There are three beaches that I like to visit with my family…any others that you’ve visited?

Narrows Beach Park

The Narrows Park is located on the south east side of Gig Harbor, and was recently upgraded to provide a place for residents to observe the construction of the 2nd Narrows Bridge.  Parking is fairly limited, maybe 20 spaces or so, but the beach and the view are spectacular.  It is very common to find fishermen lining the beach, as well as dog owners and their dogs.  There is a telescope to view the bridge, and a small grassy area as well.  Check the tides before you go.  At a low tide, you can walk seemingly forever (including walking under the bridges).  When the tide comes back, it can come in quickly and the entire beach disappears.

                     

Kopachuck State Park

Kopachuck State Park is located on the west side of Gig Harbor, and offers a fantastic view of the Olympic Mountains.  Being a state park, Kopachuck offers camping, picnic sites, multiple trails, and beach access.  Not only are you able to be at the beach, but Kopachuck Park is a beautiful forest with huge trees and ferns everywhere.  The only drawback that I can think of for Kopachuck is that it is a fairly long, steep walk down to the beach (which in turn creates a long, steep walk back to your car). 

                              

Purdy Spit

Located on the north side of Gig Harbor, the Purdy Spit offers a fun place for kids to play, dogs to run, and people to boat, kayak, and occasionally wind surf.  The Purdy Spit is the smallest of the three beaches, and probably the least accommodating as well.  Parking is a bit treacherous, as you park on the side of a heavily trafficked highway.  This also means that you better keep a close eye on kids and animals at all times.  The Purdy Spit does have some great shells and sea creatures. 

So if you don’t have a boat and you don’t live on the water, these three beaches may be a good option for some recreation.  Keep in mind that the waters near Gig Harbor tend to be cold, so there’s not a lot of swimming going on.  In the summer months, however, a dip in the Puget Sound can feel pretty nice (it does get up to 90 in Gig Harbor on occasion).