The Micoadventure: Epic Adventures Without the Epic Hassle
28. Get Out on the Water in a Kayak
There's nothing quite like getting out on the water on a gorgeous summer day. Whether you kayak the waters of the Sound, the serene Angle Lake, or along one of our rivers, there's lots of fantastic kayaking in the waters around Seattle Southside.
If you don't travel with your own kayak (it's just a little too big for a carry-on after all), you can rent kayaks for use at Saltwater State Park through their Snack Shack, which is open weekends.
Saltwater State Park
Here you'll find a sandy beach getaway on the edge of Washington's largest urban area, and the park is only 2 miles from Interstate 5.
Set on a stretch of shoreline between Tacoma and Seattle, Saltwater is one of the most popular Washington state parks. While you won't often have the beach to yourself on a warm summer day, the atmosphere can't be beat.
Wade in the shallows, make sand castles or play on the driftwood-strewn shore. Explore Saltwater's tide pools or its seasonal salmon spawning in McSorley Creek. If you prefer to view sea life from under the water, Saltwater is the only state park with an underwater artificial reef for diving. The reef is a protected marine sanctuary, and harvesting is not allowed.
Hike on the cool green forested trails or cook up a picnic on one of the park's many barbecue grills.
Saltwater State Park is on the flight path of Sea-Tac International Airport and can be noisy at times, but it's all part of the urban beach experience.
PARK FEATURES
Saltwater State Park is a 137-acre camping park featuring 1,445 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound, halfway between Tacoma and Seattle. The two cities jointly and literally buried a hatchet at the park during the 1926 park dedication as a symbol of the end of their mutual competition.
Des Moines Snack Shack
A local concession stand located on the water at Saltwater State Park, the Snack Shack offers both single and double kayak rentals, as well as a variety of mouth-water hot dogs (Seattle Dog, Mac and Cheese Dog, Chili Cheese Dog, and more), ice cream, and more!
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