Fort Steilacoom Park
Rate this placeNearby: Manitoba Park Chambers Creek Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Fort Steilacoom Park is a 340-acre park located in Lakewood, Washington.
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Summary
The park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, and families. The park has a rich history and was once home to a military fort in the mid-1800s.
There are many reasons to visit Fort Steilacoom Park. It is a great place to enjoy a picnic with friends and family, take a leisurely stroll, or go for a bike ride. The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including playgrounds, sports fields, and walking trails. In addition, the park is home to a dog park, which is a great place to let your furry friend run and play.
There are several points of interest to see at Fort Steilacoom Park. The park includes a historic cemetery, which is the final resting place of several soldiers who served in the fort. Visitors can also see the remains of the historic fort, which includes a few buildings and barracks. The park has several ponds and lakes, which are home to a variety of wildlife, including ducks, geese, and turtles.
Fort Steilacoom Park has many interesting facts. It was once the site of a military fort that was established in 1849, which was later abandoned in 1868. The park was developed in the 1970s and has since become a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.
The best time of year to visit Fort Steilacoom Park is during the summer months. The park is open year-round, but the warm weather and sunny skies make it an ideal time to enjoy the park's outdoor activities. Visitors can take advantage of the park's sports fields, playgrounds, and walking trails, or simply relax and enjoy a picnic on the grass.
In conclusion, Fort Steilacoom Park is a beautiful and historic destination in Washington. With a variety of recreational activities, points of interest, and natural beauty, it is a great place to visit for both locals and tourists.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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.
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