Thursday is your last chance to drive Five Mile Drive. Here’s what to know
A beloved Tacoma scenic route closes to vehicle traffic for good at 2 p.m. Thursday.
Metro Parks Tacoma announced Tuesday that the outer loop of the Five Mile Drive at Point Defiance Park will close Thursday at 2 p.m. and not reopen to vehicles.
The agency said erosion of bluffs along the route has made the drive hazardous to vehicles.
“The road is not safe for vehicles and that’s why were closing it off,” Metro Parks spokesperson Rosemary Ponnekanti said Wednesday.
Cliff edges are particularly dangerous, Ponnekanti said. She urged walkers and sightseers to not enter fenced areas, obey signs and park only in designated areas.
When is the outer loop open?
Cars may drive the route from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 19. The route will not open Friday or thereafter.
On Wednesday, a steady stream of cars was making the drive. Drivers stopped at popular scenic pullouts to take photos.
How far is the outer loop?
The outer loop is a 2.25-mile stretch between the entry/exit to Owen Beach and Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, “including the Vashon Island, Dalco Passage, Gig Harbor, Narrows and Bridge viewpoints,” according to a Metro Parks news release.
“Both Owen Beach and Fort Nisqually will remain accessible along the Inner Loop of the Drive, with Owen Beach reopening in June after renovations,” Metro Parks reported.
Will I still be able to access the loop via bicycle or on foot?
Yes. Bikes, pedestrians and other non-motorized traffic will still be able to use the loop following the closure.
Walking trails and restroom facilities along the stretch will remain open, Metro Parks said.
Why are they closing it now?
“With the imminent increase in park traffic after Memorial Day, Metro Parks believes it is important to close the Outer Loop now to all motorized traffic to prevent further slope damage and threat to public safety,” Metro Parks said in a news release.
What else do I need to know?
Raccoons, along with all wildlife in the park, should not be fed.
This story was originally published May 18, 2022 at 12:07 PM.
