With a Beach, Hiking, And Fishing Opportunities, This State Park Is the Ultimate Family Destination

Looking for a place that will entertain the whole family and get them outside in Washington? Pack up the car and head to Des Moines (nope, not that Des Moines) in King County to Saltwater State Park. From hiking to beachcombing to kayaking to birdwatching, this is one of the best choices for family-friendly parks in Washington.

Saltwater State Park is a 137-acre urban beach park located on the shores of Puget Sound. It features more than 1,400 feet of shoreline, teeming with fun activities and sights that will delight both the kids and the kids at heart.

It is a marine protected area established in 1926.

And it's an unbelievably gorgeous family-friendly destination in Washington.

There are three hiking trails. One on my bucket list (and a great one for kids) is the Saltwater Short Loop.

It is only .4 miles in length and takes you through a beautiful green forested area.

Birdwatching is also popular here. See you if you can spot a duck, gull, hawk, or even an eagle!

You can also fish here as well.

There is a lovely sandy beach, just perfect for making sandcastles.

The park is also home to an underwater artificial reef where you can dive!

Check out what interesting things you can find in the tide pools. There is also a great deal of beautiful driftwood here.

Or if you are visiting during the season, head to McSorley Creek to investigate the salmon spawning.

Have a picnic as part of your adventure. There are grills available for use and you can sit with a glorious water view.

If you or the little ones get a little hungry and you don't have any picnic supplies, the Park Store at Saltwater is open seasonally and offers food and beverages. You can also rent a kayak from here and explore the area by water.

If just one day isn't enough and you want to spend more quality time here with the family, there is a first-come, first-served campground with 50 spaces for tent camping. Just note that the park is in the flight path of the Seatac Airport so it can get a little noisy at times.

Learn more about Saltwater State Park.

Looking to stay overnight in this area, but not interested in camping? Take a look at the accommodations available in Des Moines.

Have you ever been to Saltwater State Park? What do you think are the best family-friendly parks in Washington? Tell us in the comments!

Looking for more to do with the kids? Check out these day trips in Washington.