Jacobs Point Park
Park rich with views, history, and wildlife on Oro Bay
Quick Facts:
Location: Anderson Island
Land Agency: Anderson Island Park and Recreation Department
Round Trip: 2.5 mile loop
Elevation Gain: minimal
Contact: Anderson Island Park and Recreation Department
Detailed Information: Urban Trails Tacoma (Mountaineers Books)
Notes: Dogs prohibited
Access: From Steilacoom–Anderson Island Ferry terminal take Pierce County ferry to Anderson Island Ferry Terminal. Then continue west on Yeoman Road for 0.8 mile bearing left onto Eckenstam Johnson Road. Then continue 1.8 miles to trailhead on your left.
Good to Know: kid-friendly, snow free winter hikes, interpretive, historic, exceptional birdwatching, practice Leave No Trace principles
One of the largest protected marine parks on the South Sound, Jacobs Point Park consists of 100 acres of a peninsula in Oro Bay. The park includes an historic homestead, an 1890s brickyard, mature forests including rare Garry oaks, wildlife-rich wetlands, and an extensive beach with a gorgeous view of Mount Rainier across the Nisqually Reach.
Jacobs Point was purchased from Young Life in 2011 by Forterra with the help of several conservation funds. In 2016, Forterra purchased an additional 18 acres and added it to the park allowing for the construction of a loop trail. The park contains one mile of protected beach and some of the best wildlife habitat on the island.
The trail starts on an easement heading east, then making a straight shot south. Cross a marsh on a boardwalk and then enter the park and come to a junction. This is the start of the loop. Head either direction, but the way right is more scenic hugging the shoreline of Oro Bay and coming to a pair of viewpoints with picnic tables.
The way then turns a little inland and comes to a short spur leading to the old Jacobs home site. Claude and Maude Jacobs built their house here in 1916. On land that formerly was part of a brickyard, Jacobs cleared for farming. All that remains of the house is a large chimney.
The loop trail returns closer to the shore passing two more viewpoints with picnic tables. The trail then passes a stairway leading to the beach. During low tide feel free to explore the beach. While there are good strands of sand and cobbled rocks, be aware of pockets of “sucking mud.” The trail continues coming to a junction. The loop heads left to return to the junction near the boardwalk. But absolutely take the spur leading to a bluff with its grand view of Mount Rainier. Be sure too to take a second spur leading to the old brickyard.
For detailed descriptions (including maps) for this trail as well as others on Anderson Island and in Pierce County and south King county, pick up a copy of my best selling Urban Trails Tacoma (Mountaineers Books).
