Forest Rock Hill Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Forest Rock Hill Park is a popular destination in the state of Washington, located just outside the city of Tacoma.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

This park is a great place to visit for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, as it offers a variety of hiking trails, picnic areas, and scenic vistas.

Some of the top reasons to visit Forest Rock Hill Park include its beautiful natural surroundings, which include lush forests, rolling hills, and stunning views of the Puget Sound. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, rabbits, and a variety of bird species.

One of the most popular points of interest in the park is the Forest Rock Hill trail, which takes visitors on a winding hike through the forest up to the top of the hill. At the summit, hikers can enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding area, including Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains.

Other notable attractions in the park include the Ruston Way waterfront, which offers a scenic waterfront walk along the Puget Sound, and the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, which is located just a short drive away.

Interesting facts about Forest Rock Hill Park include its origins as a logging camp in the early 1900s, as well as its designation as a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat.

The best time of year to visit Forest Rock Hill Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny, and the park is lush and green. However, visitors can also enjoy the park's beauty during the fall and winter months, when the leaves change colors and the snow covers the ground.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References