PENROSE POINT STATE PARK
Penrose Point State Park is a richly forested, 237-acre marine and camping park on the shores of Puget Sound. The park has nearly 2 miles of saltwater frontage on Mayo Cove and Carr Inlet.
Large stumps with springboard notches can be seen in the park, evidence of early logging activity.
The community played an important role in the development of Penrose Point. The park was initially created out of a swamp (now the day-use area).
The name honors Dr. Stephen Penrose, a Pennsylvania native who served as president of Whitman College in Walla Walla from 1884 to 1934. For more than many years, Dr. Penrose and his family spent their summers vacationing on what is now park property. A prominent church and educational leader in the Northwest, Dr. Penrose was a firm believer in outdoor recreation for children.
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the
Discover Pass web page.
The camp provides 82 standard campsites one hiker/biker site, one Cascadia Marine Trail site, one dump station and three restrooms two with showers. The campground is in the woods, and all sites are shady or partly shady. None of the campsites are on the water, but the beach is only a short walk away. Typical campsites accommodate a vehicle or combination of up to 35 feet. A few sites can handle longer vehicles or combinations, but the campground roadways are narrow and winding.
Reservations for camping are available May 15 through Sept. 15 and can be made up to 9 months in advance. Camping is available on a first-come, first-serve basis September 14 thought May 14.
The park offers a group camp which accommodates 20 to 50 people in tents or RVs. Facilities include a shelter with three picnic tables, a fire ring with benches, water and a vault toilet. Restrooms with flush toilets are located nearby in the day-use area. Restrooms with showers are located on the campground. A dump station is located near the park entrance. Fees vary with size of the group. Reservation for the group camp are available year-round.
Firewood is available for purchase at the park through out the summer.
Reservations can be made by calling 888 CAMPOUT or 888 226-7688.
Located Pierce County on Puget Sound, Penrose Point provides 158 feet of dock. A picnic area with tables, braziers and a fire ring with benches are located near the dock. A short trail leads uphill to a small picnic shelter, visitor parking lot, campground and public restrooms. The nearest public boat launch is located in the town of Home, three miles from the park.
The park also provides 270 feet of moorage, eight moorage buoys.
I love Penrose, It has been my families camping spot since I was 6 years old.
Now I take my daughter to the same spot I went as a kid. I will keep going my whole life.
So many good memories there.
Our family has camped here several times. Well kept, clean. Some sites give privacy, most are close and open. The beach is muddy at low tide.
A well used park.
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