Steilacoom Side
Where you catch the boat, where to park, and how to spend the wait.
Catching the boat from Steilacoom.
Steilacoom is a small waterfront town about 45 minutes south of Seattle, just past Tacoma. Washington's oldest incorporated town, in fact, though most people who pass through know it only as the place you board the Anderson Island ferry. The dock sits at the foot of the hill at 56 Union Avenue. You'll find it without much trouble.
Getting to the dock
From Seattle, take I-5 south to Exit 129 (DuPont/Steilacoom-DuPont Road) and follow signs west toward Steilacoom. From Tacoma, take I-5 south to Exit 127 (Bridgeport Way) and head west through Lakewood. From JBLM or Olympia, head north on I-5 to the same exits. Either way, expect about 45 minutes from downtown Seattle and 15-20 minutes from Tacoma. Open in Google Maps →
Parking
There's free parking near the terminal. On most weekdays and winter weekends, you can find a spot without much hunting. Summer weekends and holidays are a different story - the ferry lines stretch up the hill, and the lot fills early. If you can leave the car and walk on, your life gets significantly easier: walk-on passengers board before vehicles, and you skip the queue entirely.
The BNSF mainline runs right past the terminal, with roughly 70 trains a day. Be ready to wait at the crossing. It's not a long wait, but it's a real one - factor it into your timing on a tight schedule.
While you wait
Steilacoom is a real town, not just a ferry stop, and it's worth getting out of the car for. Most of the places below are within a short walk of the terminal. The biggest mistake first-timers make is sitting in their car for 45 minutes when they could be eating ice cream at the water's edge instead.
In the 1895 Bair Drug & Hardware building - part restaurant, part living museum. Breakfast, lunch, and comfort food. The restored 1900s marble soda fountain is worth a look on its own. 1617 Lafayette St.
Family-run coffee shop in a converted 80-year-old gas station, right by the traffic circle near the ferry landing. Indoor seating and a drive-thru. 1203 Rainier St.
The waterfront restaurant and coffee shop (same building, same owners) are temporarily closed after a structure fire. Rebuild and insurance work in progress; updates on their Facebook pages.
Grassy hills, benches, and clear views of Puget Sound and the islands. A grandstand makes for an easy family photo. No beach access here.
500 feet of shoreline, restrooms, a picnic shelter, and a couple of 1930s stone buildings. Closer to a beach than Pioneer Orchard.
More shoreline, more space, volleyball court. A bit of a walk from the dock but pleasant on a clear day.
Open weekends April through October, free admission. Includes the adjacent Wagon Shop and Nathaniel Orr Home. 1801 Rainier St.
Steilacoom is small and walkable - historic homes, train depot views, and the waterfront are all within a few blocks of the terminal. A 20-minute loop fills the wait nicely.
More on getting here.
Ferry Schedule & Info
Sailing times, fares, rider alerts, and what to know about boarding. The page to bookmark before your first trip - and every trip after.
Read MoreFirst-Time Visitor Guide
What you actually need to bring, how to set expectations for a day trip vs. a stay, and the practical things nobody told you the first time you came.
Read MoreBy Boat or Kayak
The ferry isn't the only way over. Marina realities, private moorage, paddling routes, and what to know about the South Sound's tides and currents before you launch.
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