Spanaway Park
A 135-acre aquatic recreation hub with boating, fishing, swimming, trails, and a playground on scenic Lake Spanaway.
Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Cooler temps, fewer crowds
Spanaway Park
Best Time
Cooler temps, fewer crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A 135-acre aquatic recreation hub with boating, fishing, swimming, trails, and a playground on scenic Lake Spanaway.
"Remarkable park with so much parking, you will find a spot easily. Great for walks, dogs, kids, and water activities."
🚗 Ample Parking Available
Finding parking is generally easy, even during busy periods.
🐾 Dog-Friendly Trails
Great park for walking your dog, with a large area for them to run freely. :dog:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Lake Spanaway Recreation
Lake Spanaway
Enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming on the expansive Lake Spanaway. Perfect for a day of water-based fun.
Scenic Walking Trails
Park-wide
Explore the 1.75-mile trail circling the park, offering beautiful lake views and abundant wildlife sightings.
Family Playground & Sprayground
Near the main entrance
A clean playground with a new sprayground makes it ideal for kids to play and cool off during warmer months.
Fantasy Lights Walk
Spanaway Park
Experience dazzling animated lights during this popular winter event, often featuring food trucks.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Outdoors at Spanaway Park
Event & Activity Planning
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Ample Parking Available
Finding parking is generally easy, even during busy periods.
🐾 Dog-Friendly Trails
Great park for walking your dog, with a large area for them to run freely. :dog:
🎣 Fishing Opportunities
Enjoy fishing on Lake Spanaway; remember to check local regulations. :fishing_pole:
🎈 Shelter Rentals
Rent gazebos or picnic shelters for group events and parties. :party_popper:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Ample Parking Available
Finding parking is generally easy, even during busy periods.
🐾 Dog-Friendly Trails
Great park for walking your dog, with a large area for them to run freely. :dog:
🎣 Fishing Opportunities
Enjoy fishing on Lake Spanaway; remember to check local regulations. :fishing_pole:
🎈 Shelter Rentals
Rent gazebos or picnic shelters for group events and parties. :party_popper:
🦆 Wildlife Viewing
Abundant ducks and squirrels make it a great spot for nature observation. :duck:
💡 Event Check
Look out for special events like 'Touch A Truck' and 'Fantasy Lights'. :bulb:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Spanaway Park is widely praised as a beautiful and spacious recreational area, ideal for families, outdoor activities, and group events. Visitors appreciate the ample parking, scenic lake views, and the variety of amenities like trails, a playground, and boat launch. While some content touches on broader community issues in Spanaway, the park itself is consistently reviewed positively for its natural beauty and recreational offerings.
"Is a remarkable park so much parking ypu will find a parking really easy. There is a a trail that almost circles the entire park so it is very fun to walk it is about 1.75 to the end back with some squirrelsand ducks, really big are for the dogs to run. There is a playground so it's great for the kiddos it is clean with a bathroom close to it, there are gazebos/ picnic area you can rent. You can also fish, water activities and launch a boat. Overall great park just wish at the beginning where the park beginning the lake wasn't so green."
Ricardo Merced
"Beautiful park on Lake Spanaway. I used to go here as a kid and waterski. My dad would put the boat in the lake and I'd jump in the deep water with my vest on and take off...so much fun and fond memories. Great place for large group get togethers as well."
Shelly Longley
"I love this park. Went to light the lake with my son and my mom this year, it was fun, we had a good time. I also recently rented a shelter in the park for my son's graduation party and the shelter area was clean everything worked it was a wonderful day with family celebrating my son in this beautiful park"
Jacque “JQ” Green
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Spanaway Park is located in Spanaway, Washington. It's accessible by car, with ample parking available. Public transportation options may be limited, so driving is often the most convenient method. Check local transit schedules if you plan to use public transport.
Yes, Spanaway Park offers plenty of parking, making it easy to find a spot even during peak times.
Absolutely! Spanaway Park has facilities for launching boats onto Lake Spanaway, making it a great destination for water sports enthusiasts.
While the park has walking trails, it's primarily designed for walking and recreational activities. Cycling might be possible on some paved areas, but dedicated bike paths are not a main feature.
Spanaway Park is located at 12015 Mountain View Lake Rd SW, Spanaway, WA 98387. Use GPS navigation for the most accurate directions from your starting point.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Spanaway Park is generally free to enter, offering a great value for a day of recreation. However, specific events like 'Fantasy Lights' may have separate admission fees.
Entry to the park itself is usually free. However, special events like the 'Fantasy Lights Walk' often require tickets. It's best to check the official Pierce County Parks website for event-specific ticketing information.
Park hours can vary seasonally. Generally, it's open from dawn until dusk. For specific event hours, like the 'Fantasy Lights Walk', check the Pierce County Parks schedule.
Yes, you can rent gazebos and picnic shelters for group gatherings and parties. This is a popular option for celebrations and family reunions.
The playground and sprayground at Spanaway Park are free to use for all visitors.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, walking on trails, picnicking, and playing at the playground. The park is a versatile destination for outdoor fun.
Yes, Spanaway Park is excellent for families. It features a playground and a sprayground, making it a hit with children.
Yes, clean restrooms are available, conveniently located near the playground and picnic areas.
Yes, swimming is permitted in Lake Spanaway at Spanaway Park. Enjoy a refreshing dip during the warmer months.
The park is known for its abundant wildlife, including many ducks and squirrels, offering great opportunities for nature observation.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
While there are no permanent restaurants, food trucks are often present during special events like the 'Fantasy Lights Walk'.
Picnicking is a popular option, and shelters can be rented for group meals.Yes, bringing your own food for picnics is highly encouraged. There are many scenic spots to enjoy your meal.
Some parks in the area have grills, and Spanaway Park is mentioned as a location where they might be available, though sometimes rental of picnic areas is required.
During events like the 'Fantasy Lights Walk', you can expect a variety of food trucks offering diverse options. Past events have featured vendors like Puget Sound Pizza and Stacks Burgers.
Typically, there are no shops selling snacks or drinks within the park itself, unless it's during a special event with food vendors.
📸 📸 Photography
The lakefront offers stunning views, especially during sunrise and sunset. The walking trails provide scenic backdrops with trees and wildlife. The playground area is also great for capturing family fun.
While drone usage might be permitted, it's essential to check local regulations and park rules regarding drone operation to avoid any issues. Some TikTok videos show drones flying over the area.
Yes, the Fantasy Lights Walk is a highly photographic event, with dazzling animated light displays creating a magical atmosphere.
Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, commercial photography or filming may require permits. Always be respectful of other visitors' privacy.
The 'golden hours' around sunrise and sunset offer the most beautiful light for landscape photography. Daytime is great for capturing activities and wildlife.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
For a truly memorable experience, look out for family-friendly events like 'Touch A Truck', where kids can explore large vehicles up close. The ample parking makes it convenient to bring strollers and all the gear needed for a day out with little ones.
🎣 Anglers and Boaters
🚶♀️ Nature Walkers and Dog Owners
🎉 Event Planners and Group Gatherings
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring Spanaway Lake Park
The park also features a network of trails, with one notable path that almost circles the entire lake, spanning about 1.75 miles. This trail is ideal for walking, jogging, and enjoying the natural surroundings, often accompanied by sightings of local wildlife like squirrels and ducks. The presence of a playground and a sprayground makes it particularly appealing to families with young children, ensuring entertainment for the younger visitors.
For those looking to host gatherings, Spanaway Park offers rentable gazebos and picnic areas, which are frequently used for family reunions, graduation parties, and other group events. The park's accessibility and variety of amenities contribute to its reputation as a beloved community space for recreation and social gatherings.
Spanaway Park Events and Seasonal Attractions
Another notable event is 'Touch A Truck', an interactive experience where families can explore various trucks and big rigs, allowing children to climb aboard and learn from operators. These events highlight the park's versatility and its role in community engagement. Additionally, the park is a venue for various community picnics and festivals throughout the year, such as church picnics and PD Fiesta events, showcasing its importance as a gathering place.
While the park is a year-round destination, these special events often require advance planning and can attract large numbers of visitors, impacting crowd levels and parking. Checking the Pierce County Parks schedule is recommended for dates, times, and any associated ticketing information for these popular attractions.
Community Perceptions and Local Insights
However, some content, particularly from users like @amosprenger on TikTok, focuses on less idyllic aspects of the Spanaway area, including trailer parks and social issues. While these videos offer a raw glimpse into certain facets of the community, they do not represent the entirety of Spanaway Park's offerings or the experiences of most visitors who come for recreation and nature. It's important to distinguish between the park's recreational facilities and broader community contexts.
Despite these varied portrayals, the park itself is consistently reviewed positively for its natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and suitability for events and family outings. The 'green' appearance of the lake at the park's beginning is a minor point of critique for some, but overall, the park is seen as a valuable community asset.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit