The Key Peninsula: Beauty and Recreation in the Pacific Northwest

The Key Peninsula is a long branch of peninsula surrounded by the waters of the Puget Sound and filled with forests and countless views of the majestic Mount Rainier. Just west of Gig Harbor, WA, the Key Peninsula provides scenic beauty you will not soon forget. It is a photographer's dream, nature lovers paradise, and recreational boaters and campers heaven.

It All Starts at Purdy

The Peninsula begins in a little place called Purdy. I am not sure where the name Purdy came from, but I used to tell my kids that long ago an explorer came along, looked out of over Henderson Bay and the spit of land that enters the peninsula and said, "Gee, look at that fellers, ain't it Purdy." I know, that's pretty dumb. But my kids loved it. My aunt used to live on the beach front in Purdy back in the 1960's. My family and I spent many hours on the beach swimming, beach combing, boating, water skiing, and fishing. The beach on the spit is a favorite gathering place for families to sun themselves, picnic, have bonfires after dark, and it is a hot spot for wind surfing and wind sailing.

When you come off highway 16 from Gig Harbor, you turn left onto highway 302 in Purdy to head down the Key Peninsula. The view of Henderson Bay as you cross the spit is vast, and there are many moods as the seasons go by. You can see lots of water fowl, and in the fall, you can see the autumn trees on the hills overlooking the bay reflected in the water.

Scenic Driving

Once you get over the spit, the highway begins to twist and turn uphill. This network of curves is known as "the Wauna curves" and they are lined with a beautiful canopy of trees with little snippets of Henderson bay in view. There are gorgeous homes along here, each with their own unique personalities.

The Key Peninsula is roughly about a 17 mile drive from Purdy to Taylor Bay. It is the best place I can think of to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon driving through non-stop beauty. But if you feel like exploring, there are so many places to see and experience.

Penrose Point State Park is a marine and camping park located on the Puget Sound on the Key Peninsula. Visitors will be able to take in several views of Mount Rainier, a western Washington monument. Upon arrival at the park you will cruise slowly down a tree lined road. If you walk in, you feel like a small speck of living matter as you see and feel the massive trees towering over you. The day use area is littered with picnic tables, a fire pit and very scenic main beach. It is heavily used in the summer by families who mostly beach comb and wade in the water. To the left during very low tide is a long sand spit and it is ripe for the picking with crabs, shells, starfish, and other treasures of living things.

To the left of the day use area with the lawn, there are flat trails that wind through the woods. Most of these are relatively short, but very beautiful. I often stroll these paths with my dog. One minute I am on the beach with noisy families, and the next I feel like I am deep in the forest smelling the aroma of heavy loam and moss. There is an interpretive trail there with markers for various points of interest. One trail leads all the way to the other side of the park and ends at the marina where you can find a few picnic tables, a barbecue grill and you can play on the beach, or fish off the mooring dock.

To the right of the day use area there are more trails with a few more options and more rugged trails. There a couple of trails there that lead to other scenic beaches. Depending on the time of year, you will observe a wide variety of wild flowers, and other northwest plant life. It's also a great place to go bird watching.

Penrose park also sports a camping ground with individual and group sites. There are restrooms all throughout, shower facilities, and the park and a ranger station if you have any questions or concerns.

There is a $10 fee for parking at the park.

Joemma Beach State Park is located at Whiteman Cove on the beautiful Puget Sound on the Key Peninsula. Joemma Beach State Park has a perfect combination of forest and beach. Camping is available, there is a picnic shelter, a small wooded hiking/biking trail, boat launch, and a wonderfully large beach in which to scavenge for crabs and shells. Joemma Beach is an excellent place for water sports such as swimming, boating, and water skiing.

Though much smaller than Penrose Park, Joemma Beach has it's own unique scenic splendor and a day spent at there is a day well spent full of fun and sun.

Glen Cove is a lovely little inlet just before you enter Key Center. Turn left onto Cramer at the light and you will drive right through it. Glen Cove is host to the oldest camp on the peninsula, Camp Seymour, a YMCA camp. It is run year round and offers awesome natural beauty, and everything from kayaking to rope climbing to hiking, to swimming. They also host conferneces and receptions of all kinds. See the link below for more information.

Right across the water is the Historic Glen Cove Hotel, a beautiful victorian manse now used for receptions, weddings, and as a bed & Breakfast. The Hotel was built in the late 1800's as a resort spot. It is now a registered Historic place. For more info, see the link to the right.

The little town of Home is a charming place about half to three quarters of the way down the Key Peninsula. Back in the 1920's, Home was a community of anarchists. Today, it is home to just plain folks. The community is populated with homes, many of them waterfront, and a few key businesses.

For All You Wine Lovers

Home also features a delightful little winery, Trillium Creek Winery. A lovely way to spend a few hours sipping vino and enjoying the northwest beauty on the Key Peninsula.

Home Park

A few years ago, Home Park was built right along the highway. Though it's small, it packs a punch with plenty of grass, a very cool playground, and picnic tables under a wonderful shelter. This little place has brought lots of joy to the community, especially the children.

Scenic Walks and Photo Ops

Home has a character all its own. Across from the post office at the intersection of Key Peninsula Highway and Herron Road, there is a great photo op of an old house that stands over the water. If you go the opposite direction, you have A Street, which runs right along the water. It makes for a lovely, picturesque walk.

Dining, Gas, and Other Amenities

You can stop for lunch at Lulu's Homeport restaurant. The food is homestyle good and it's a great place to meet the town folks. Servers know everyone and are down right friendly. You also may find the Home Country Store where you can buy pop, beer, a few groceries, and they have great little hot food counter. Home is also the last stop for gas. The gas station also has a little food mart for snacks, pop, and beer.

Across the street is the Lakebay Post Office for those of you who wish to mail out a postcard or two. There is also a little laundromat and the Beach Hut, a good place to buy a burger, fries, or a hot dog. It is only open in the summer, however.

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Taylor Bay Park- Natural Convservation park with wetlands and estuary. A must see if you enjoy wildlife beauty.

Minter Creek Salmon Hatchery - Salmon is one of the most common large fish in Washington. This hatchery is fascinating and very educational for children.

Tennis - Key Peninsula Civic Center and Volunteer Park

Golf - Horseshoe Lake Golf Club

Skating and Skateboarding - Key Peninsula Civic Center Indoor Skate and Volunteer Park Skate Park

Frisbee Golf - Volunteer Park

Soccer and Softball - Volunteer Park

Walking and Nature Trails - Volunteer Park, Rocky Creek Conservation Area, 360 Park, Maple Hollow

Horseback Riding - 360 Park

Dirt Bike Riding - 360 Park

Back 9 Barbeque @ Horsreshoe Lake Golf Course - 1250 SW Clubhouse Court Port Orchard, WA

Burger King - 14320 92nd Ave NW Wauna, WA

Dexter's Drive-In - 6701 Tyee Dr. NW Purdy, WA

El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant - 15611 92nd St. KPN Lakebay, WA

Floatation Device Pub & Grill - 14511 Sherman Dr. NW Purdy, WA

Gourmet Burger Shop - 11717 State Rounte 302, Gig Harbor WA

LuLu's Homeport - 1509 Key Peninsula Hwy KPS Home, WA

Massimo's Italian Restaurant - 13802 Purdy Dr. Nw Purdy, WA

O'Callahans Pub & Grill - 5610 92nd St. Key Center, WA

Roadhouse on the Hill - 1906 154th Ave Ct. NW KPN Key Center WA

Seabeck Pizza - 9501 State Rount 302 Wauna, WA



© Lori Colbo 2011