A bald eagle sits on a seaweed-covered rock while kids peer into the glassy waters of Mayo Cove, pointing out sea stars and crabs. Welcome to life at Penrose Point State Park.

At low tide, this Puget Sound park is a clam and oyster bonanza in season. Crabbing and saltwater fishing are also popular here. Catch a glimpse of majestic Mount Rainier to the east; the enormous mountain seems to be floating on air.

As the tide comes up, beachgoers retreat to the grassy knoll above Carr Inlet and the forest beyond. Trails are rife with Douglas-fir, western red cedar, red alder, Pacific madrone and big-leaf maple and highlight an abundant understory of ferns, huckleberry and trillium.

After your hike or bike ride, wind down at a campfire and enjoy a shellfish feast or game of horseshoes, then pitch your tent in a shaded campsite. Boaters may sleep in the comfort of their vessels mooring along the dock or on a buoy.

State Parks Tagged With: Lakebay