Tolmie State Park

Tolmie State Park is a public recreation area and state park covering on Nisqually Beach on Puget Sound, northeast of Olympia, Washington.

History

The park was named after William Fraser Tolmie, a Hudson's Bay Company officer. The state acquired land for the state park from Charles and Ola Jones in 1965.
Removal of more than 100,000 tires comprising an artificial reef off the shores of Tolmie State Park and the Nisqually River delta began in late 2024. The attempted reef was part of an overall effort within the Puget Sound during the 1970s and 1980s to increase aquatic wildlife in the waters as a means to strengthen recreational fishing. The tires spread after polypropylene twine holding the tire bundles in place dissolved, becoming a damaging, negative environmental impact.

Geography and features

Tolmie State Park includes of saltwater shoreline at the mouth of a creek known as Big Slough as well as forest lands, a saltwater marsh, and an underwater park with artificial reef for scuba diving.

Activities and amenities

Park activities include hiking on three miles of trails, boating, swimming, scuba diving, fishing, crabbing, and bird watching.