BPA Trail in Tacoma, WA
The BPA Trails are one of the most popular running trails in Tacoma, Washington. The trail is located near Point Defiance Park and offers gorgeous views of Mount Rainier to the north, Puget Sound to the west, and Olympic Mountain Range to the east.
The BPA Trail is a great running trail with several magnificent views of downtown Tacoma. Some people run the courses for exercise while others use it to get away from everyday life, relax and take in all that nature offers. There are many different types of trees along this route which makes it very pretty during all seasons. You can expect an average round trip distance between three or four miles depending on your pace if you’re using this as an out-and-back course. If you want to challenge yourself, addition loops around North Slope Park will add another mile or two onto each side, making about eight total when combined!
About the BPA Trail
BPA Trail in Tacoma, WA, is a lovely nature-running trail with spectacular views of the city and Puget Sound. It’s not very difficult, but it can be muddy at times, especially during the autumn months when there are frequent rains in the area, making it an exciting adventure for any outdoor sports enthusiast!
You can bring your dog along if you have one as long as he has his leash since this is also a popular hiking spot, so keep them safe until they reach their limit because dogs get distracted easily by smells coming from bushes around here. Do not feed pets while inside BPA Trail boundaries – give them only water so that other hikers do not become upset about your pet leaving poop behind.
The BPA Trail is a place located off the Pacific Highway. It was opened to offer runners and nature enthusiasts alike more beauty on their trails of choice. Now it stretches out for miles, filled with tall trees that canopy over your head as you run through them. Birds are flying about high above you in these giant trees, which adds an element of peace when running down this trail.
The peacefulness continues along the path with no cars or people around but plenty of animals like deer and squirrels playing among themselves without fear because they know humans won’t bother them here! The beautiful views await you at every turn; don’t forget to stop by one of many scenic areas before completing your run!
There are over 15 kilometers of pure bliss on this paved path around Commencement Bay. You will not be disappointed with what it has to offer, whether it is cycling or running; there’s something here for every level of fitness enthusiast. With several scenic viewpoints along the way, such as Point Defiance Park and Owen Beach, there is no shortage of photo opportunities to be had.
Facts About the BPA Trail
The BPA Trail was formerly the site of a railroad trestle that is now an elevated trail with access to magnificent views. This popular running, walking, and biking path connect Ruston Way/Tacoma Waterfront with downtown Tacoma crossing over Commencement Bay. The BPA Trail provides excellent exercise opportunities for all ages, abilities, and fitness levels. This rail-trail winds along Puget Sound’s tidal flats through maritime forests of Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, and Western Red Cedar.
Pierce County Parks Department maintains the BPA Trail in conjunction with Metro Parks Tacoma. The trail is open from dawn until dusk daily throughout most of the year but closed during inclement weather or special events within nearby stadiums/arenas, including University of Puget Sound football games, which can create local traffic hazards for runners bikers or walkers along this route.
It’s not unusual to spot bald eagles soaring above while passing through tall stands of Douglas Fir trees at either end near Ruston Way Marina Park and Titlow Beach Park. These magnificent birds are plentiful here due to an active population around Commencement Bay and the nearby Nisqually Wildlife Refuge.
The trail is easy enough for beginners but has some rather steep sections that will provide a decent aerobic workout for more advanced runners and bikers. The trail surface is mainly packed gravel but does have some asphalt segments as well. The trail is open to walkers, runners, and bikers only.
What to do in BPA Trail?
The BPA Trail is a fantastic trail for those who love running and hiking. Not only does this trail provide some of the best views you will ever see, but it also offers a variety of terrain to explore! During your hike or run on the BPA Trail, you may encounter grassy meadows as well as tall forested areas with trees that can reach heights up to 150 feet high!
This makes for prime exploring during different seasons because each season has its unique beauty. The spring brings lush greenery while fall leaves change into reds, oranges, and yellows, which creates a vivid contrast against the backdrop of green foliage and blue skies above.
Super cool and unique things to see is wildlife! While there are no dangerous animals that you should be aware of, it is still a good idea to keep your eyes peeled for all sorts of local wildlife. You never know what kind of creatures might come out as dusk approaches or when weather conditions change throughout the seasons.
Some forms of nature you may encounter include bald eagles, which can be seen quite frequently during certain times in the year, elk herds roaming through grassy areas. These black bears could potentially cross paths with you while hiking/running on trail paths near creeks where they go to drink water, coyotes, and even cougars!
Cougars do not typically go after humans, though, so you should not have to worry about that. Even if one were to attack you somehow, they are more scared of people than we are of them! Anyways, make sure your pet dogs and cats do not escape from their leash or outdoor area because cougars can be attracted by animals who seem like easy prey, which may put your furry friends at risk of being attacked.
If you want to go on a fun hike or run, this trail will be at its best when weather conditions are optimal! Sunny days with clear blue skies tend to make for the most picturesque views of Mount Rainier and surrounding areas where it looks like something out of a postcard because everything seems so perfect with no clouds in sight.
Wintertime brings snowfall which might not seem appealing. Still, there is quite an exciting process during winter months snowfalls from cloud cover onto evergreen trees that have retained their leaves through the fall season. The weight of all this accumulated snow eventually causes some branches to break off while others bend way down low near the ground. This indicates that these coniferous trees are bowing down to greet visitors who come trekking during wintertime.
As you can see, there is a lot to do and explore at BPA Trail. You could even make it part of your fitness routine by running here after work every day. If hiking/running isn’t really your thing, but you still want to come out here anyways, don’t worry because the trails around this area allow biking as well, which makes an excellent way for families with kids who love getting outdoors together because everyone will have an enjoyable time no matter what they choose to do since there are so many available activities!
What not to do in BPA Trail?
Don’t wear flip-flops or flat shoes. There are places where the trail becomes slippery, and you might fall. Wear good running/walking shoes with treads to ensure your safety on this easy nature running track in Tacoma, WA.
Don’t forget to bring plenty of water if it will be a hot day as there is no shade along with some parts of BPA Trail in Tacoma, WA, so do not run during summer months without water protection from the sun! Use sunscreen lotion but remember that sweat washes it away more quickly than regular skin oil would do, so apply often, especially after sweating heavily while trekking through trees and bushes, which protect you from direct sunlight only partially at best. ‘
Don’t litter BPA Trail with your garbage. Bring a plastic bag or another container to pick up any pieces of trash you may find along the way so that people visiting this nature running trail can enjoy it as much as possible without having to deal with unpleasant smells and the sight of mess left behind by others who don’t care about their environment, keep BPA Trail clean!
Do not drink alcohol before going for a run or walk on BPA Trail. Please do not bring glass bottles, empty beer cans, or alcoholic beverages inside this park since they are not allowed there anyway. This is a family-friendly nature running trail, so do not bring your pets along unless they are on a leash.
Don’t cross over to restricted areas of the BPA Trail, such as military bases where trespassing can get you arrested, so stay on designated trails only. Do not litter anywhere along the way since trash receptacles are at suitable intervals throughout this easy nature running track. Keep noise levels down while enjoying yourself here so others around won’t be annoyed by your raucous behavior.
Don’t forget to hike in the opposite direction of travel on this nature running trail since it is customary not to disturb others with loud chatter while concentrating on their walk or run.
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