Puget Creek Natural Area
Puget SoundBest Mar–May, Sep–Nov
A short urban greenway tracing a salmon-bearing creek down to Commencement Bay.
About This Trail
Puget Creek Natural Area protects a forested gulch in north Tacoma, threaded by just under a mile of footpath. The creek here is one of only three salmon-bearing streams in the city, running from the bluffs above down through second-growth forest toward Commencement Bay.
The trail network is short and close to homes, but the gulch feels surprisingly tucked away once the path drops below street level. The grade is modest, gaining only 260 feet across the small park. Kids manage it easily, and leashed dogs are welcome.
Parking is limited. Seven spots sit at the Proctor Street trailhead at the corner of Proctor and North 31st; two other access points at Monroe Street and Alder Way have no dedicated lot. Route 11 transit stops nearby for a car-free visit.
Seasonal Highlights
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“this hike is similar to the sequalitchew creek trail in dupont; basically a straight out and back kind of trail.”
Last report: Apr 12, 2026
Scorecard
Getting There
Seven spots at the Proctor Street trailhead. Monroe Street and Alder Way access points have no dedicated parking. Transit access via Route 11.
Recent Reports
After learning about this trail recently, we decided to go walk it today. We parked at 31st and Proctor entrance and followed the stairs down to the Puget Canyon trail.
We parked at the alder st entrance and walked the trail up to the other end and then back. Me, Poppy, and Grammie were on the roster for this hike.
this hike is similar to the sequalitchew creek trail in dupont; basically a straight out and back kind of trail. the trailhead i started from is on the bottom of the trail at alder st, from there it is pretty much an uphill walk, in the beginning the gradiant is not too bad but slowly it gets a little steeper, although it is still not too bad.
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