Summertime in the PNW is all about soaking up all of the sunshine while we can! Our BaseHubs team put their heads together and curated this list of BEST OF: Lakes & Beaches to help our community make the most of the gorgeous sunny weather!

Shoreline park- JBLM: For those looking to stay close to home, look no further. Shoreline Park is right on base! This lakefront beach has a swimming area and canoe and kayak rentals. Pavilions are also on sight for rental, so if you have an event coming up, consider checking this spot out. This is truly a great spot to spend the day with friends and family, without having to go far from home! Learn more at: https://jblm.armymwr.com/programs/parks-pavilions

Owens Beach- Tacoma: Tacoma’s most popular beach just recently reopened with tons of improvements! With plenty of parking and brand new facilities, this spot is sure to be a favorite for the family. Accessibility is a huge highlight of this beaches redesign; with improvements including ADA-accessible children’s play area, drop-off zones close to the water, and pathways. There is a concession stand on sight Open daily, 11 am – 7 pm with all sorts of tasty summer treats. Kayak and pavilion rentals are available at this beautiful spot as well. To learn more, visit: https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/place/owen-beach/

Lowell Johnson Park- Anderson Island: Looking to take a real adventure? For this hidden gem, you will need to take the ferry out of Steilacoom to Anderson Island. Located on Florence Lake, this beach is known locally as the “Old Swimming Hole”. This absolutely gorgeous waterfront has a dock, and a floating dock further out for those who enjoy a good swim. There are sandy beaches, a volleyball court, and picnic areas. *Please keep in mind there is no lifeguard on duty at this beach. Be sure to visit their website to read about this beautiful beach: https://andersonislandparks.org/lowell-johnson-park

Lake Tapps Park- Bonney Lake: Talk about swimming with a view! This beautiful, sandy beach has spectacular views of Mount Rainier and is a great spot for kids and adults alike to cool off from the Summer sun. There is a boat launch, picnic tables, BBQ grills, and walking trails to keep the whole family entertained all day long! https://www.piercecountywa.gov/1326/North-Lake-Tapps-Park

Bradley Lake- Puyallup: If you’re looking for some wide open space, picturesque views and walking trails to go with your swimming spot, Bradley Lake is the place for you! https://www.cityofpuyallup.org/facilities/facility/details/Bradley-Lake-Park-2

Summer Cove- JBLM: Another spot located right on base, Summer Cove is a picturesque waterfront park with a shallow wading area, a sandy beach and a huge playground and splash park! Parking is limited, so carpool when possible. https://jblm.armymwr.com/programs/parks-pavilions

Be sure to hashtag #BaseHubsExplores when you visit these awesome spots and share your pictures! And be sure to download the BaseHubs App to access real reviews of local businesses by members of your local military community, local events, and more “BEST OF” lists! Link to download here: https://www.flowcode.com/page/basehubs