Joemma Beach State Park
This forested park set on Puget Sound provides a boat
launch and water trail campsites. Fishing and crabbing attract visitors.
Location:
Joemma Beach State Park is located in Pierce County approximately 28
miles from Tacoma. State Highway 16 to State Highway 302 from Purdy
to the Key Peninsula (County) Highway to Longbranch; or, State Highway
3 to State Highway 302 from Allyn to the Key Peninsula Highway to Longbranch.
Acreage:
122 acres with approximately 3,000 feet of saltwater frontage on Whiteman
Cove.
Acquired:
Joemma Beach State Park was transferred to Washington State Parks from
the Department of Natural Resources January 1995, as part of the 1993
Trust Land Transfer bill.
Historical Background:
This property was granted to the state at statehood in 1889 for the
support of common schools. The original recreation site was developed
beginning in 1961, and was named Robert F. Kennedy Recreation Area at
the opening day in 1968. The recreation area was renovated by DNR in
three phases, beginning in 1986. When the property was transferred to
State Parks in January 1995, it was renamed by the State Parks Commission
after Joe and Emma Smith, early settlers who lived on the property from
1917 to 1932. The Smiths operated a bulb business, trading store, and
a newspaper, the JOEMMA BULLETIN. Many local people enjoyed picnics
and social gatherings at the site, calling it Joemma Beach. Joemma Beach
State Park was dedicated in an opening ceremony April 26, 1995.
Facilities:
The park has 19 campsites, 2 water trail sites, 3 primitive sites, a
large picnic shelter, 5 vault toilets, a boat launch, 3 mooring buoys,
and a large E-shaped moorage dock (seasonal), made up of 10 12'x 31'8" floats.
There is a camp host site with full utility hook-up, a carport/storage
shed, and a wellhouse building.
Of Special Interest:
Whiteman Cove, located on Case Inlet on the west side of the
Key Peninsula, was earlier called "Interest" after an early
white settler in the area. The original recreation area was to be named
AWhiteman Cove@ after the main feature of the park. It was developed
with help from the Olympia Outboard Motor Club and the Mission Creek
Youth Camp. The oyster tracts off Whiteman Cove at Joemma Beach are
operated by a local resident under the Bush Act.
Activities:
Trails
Trails
0.7 mi. Hiking Trails
Water
Boating (saltwater)
1 boat ramp (saltwater)
Fishing (saltwater)
Water Skiing (saltwater)
Crabbing
Other
Beachcombing
Driving Directions:
From Tacoma:
Take Hwy. 16 to Purdy exit. Turn left onto Key Peninsula Hwy., approximately
15 miles. Turn right on Whiteman Rd., approximately four miles. Turn
right on Bay Rd., approximately one mile. Stay on asphalt into park.
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Comment Submission
Courtesy of Washington
State Park and Recreation Commission
