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Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls

Explore Brewery Park

A wide variety of native trees and shrubs line both sides of the river as it pitches and eddies through a gorge of boulder rapids and deep pools, its course culminating in a mist-filled plunge over Tumwater Falls.

A half-mile-long walking trail is highlighted by views of cascading waterfalls, quiet pools, and massive rocks. Spanning the river at both ends of the gorge and connecting the network of trails are footbridges designed for compatibility with the surroundings and historic accuracy.

At the upper reaches and entrance to the park, visitors find wide expanses of beautifully maintained lawns, picnic facilities, a sand-filled area for children featuring uniquely designed play items, immaculate restrooms, a fish ladder, and ample parking.

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Open 8am-8pm

The park is currently open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm every day. Hours are liable to change depending on the season. The entrance gate currently closes at 7:30 pm, so plan accordingly.

Walking Conditions

The 1/2 mile pedestrian walking loop trail is mostly gravel, but it does have some stairs, boardwalks, and bridges. It features some gentle hills which are not too strenuous but may prove difficult for some.

ADA Accessibility

The park has ADA-accessible sidewalks along the office, fish ladder, and water-viewing platform, as well as ADA accessible restrooms next to the office building. The ADA-accessible Deschutes Valley Trail runs parallel to our walking path.

Playground

The playground near the parking area features an assortment of children's toys, as well as some picnic tables for seating. The large field adjacent to the playground provides plenty of space for games and activities.

Dogs Are Welcome

Dogs are welcome at the park on leash, and there are doggy waste stations along the pedestrian path and near the playground. Please do not bring aggressive dogs, any dogs displaying aggressive behavior will be asked to leave.

About Brewery Park

In 1962, OTF constructed a park where the Deschutes River ends its journey with a series of three waterfalls, tumbling a combined 82 feet into Capitol Lake. Brewery Park provides visitors with 15 acres of natural, picturesque beauty offering enjoyment for all ages.

Today, the park is one of Thurston County’s top five tourist destinations! With incredible scenery and plenty of space to explore, Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls is a staple of the community. 

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Make Contribution

Contrary to general perception, Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls is not a state- or city-funded recreation area. We count on your donations to enhance and sustain the Park! If you enjoy the use of its picnic area, playground, or walking trails, please consider making a donation to help with the cost of keeping Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls beautiful, safe, and clean.

Make a Contribution

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Park Attractions

Park History

1962: Brewery Park is Announced

In the winter of 1962, the Olympia Tumwater Foundation announced plans to build a new scenic park near the falls of the Deschutes River.  Land for the 15-acre park was donated by the Olympia Brewing Company, whose offices, brewhouse, and cellars rose above the east bank of the property.

1963: Brewery Park is Completed

A regional labor strike that spring put the project behind schedule, but the playground and picnic tables were installed by July and the rest of the park was largely completed by fall 1963.

Features of the completed park included paths along both sides of the canyon, two footbridges over the river, and an observation platform below the Lower Falls. Newly constructed “waterfalls,” fed by water pumped from the Deschutes, splashed through ferns and moss-covered rocks on the east side of the gorge.

The 1970s: Brewery Park Becomes a Community Staple

In the decades that followed the park’s construction, it quickly became a local destination visited by many. The park’s incredible scenery, playground, and walking path made it a must-see spot for families and nature enthusiasts!

Today: The OTF Preserves the Park's Natural Beauty for the Community

Now, more than 50 years later, Tumwater Falls Park, now knows as Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls, is still a well-loved destination in Tumwater. The park itself is one of the largest tourist draws in Thurston County!

Brewery Park offers spectacular natural beauty, family-oriented activities, community events, and more to all who visit. The OTF, a  non-profit organization, continues to provide maintenance and care to the 15-acre park at no cost to visitors. Come explore the park today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the park owned by the city or state?

Neither. Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls has always been privately owned by the Olympia Tumwater Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, since it opened its gates in 1962. The foundation receives no government funding for its operations.

Does it cost money to enter the park?

No, the park is free to the public. We do, however, appreciate any contribution to the park for funding maintenance, etc, as we are a non-profit.

Can I have my wedding in the park?

We do not take reservations or charge a fee for weddings.  We only ask that your event does not disrupt normal park operations or disturb other patrons. No music, tents, or blocking trails and bridges please.

What time do the restrooms close?

The restrooms close when the park closes each day, depending on the season. It will range from 4:30pm in the winter to 8:00pm in the summer.

Can I bring my dog to the park?

Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash and supervised at all times. If your pet shows aggressive behavior, it must be removed from the park at once. Please pick up after your pets, and dispose of feces properly. Pet bag stations are provided throughout the park for your convenience.

Can I bring a bike to the park?

No bicycle riding is allowed on the gravel walking trails. However, bicycles are allowed in the parking lots and along the paved Deschutes Valley Trail.

Is the park ADA accessible?

Yes and no. The park is ADA accessible everywhere but the pedestrian walking path, though there is ADA access to the Deschutes Valley Trail which runs parallel to the walking path and also has great views of the river and falls.

Can I take pictures in the park?

You may take pictures in the park while it is open. Please be considerate of others around you.

Do you have a lost and found?

Yes, please visit the OTF office (located near the Upper Falls) during business hours to see if your lost item has been turned in.

Who should I report a problem to?

During business hours report any problems to the OTF office or call (360) 943-2550, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until dusk. After hours call 911.

Can I reserve an area in the Park?

Visitors are welcome to hold small events in the park such as reunions, receptions, etc. We do not take reservations, all areas are available first-come-first-serve. We only ask that your event does not disrupt normal park operations or disturb other patrons. 

Directions to Brewery Park & Contact Information

Park Hours – Spring Schedule

Open every day from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
(entrance gate closed at 7:30 pm)

Email:

OTF@olytumfoundation.org

Physical Address:

110 Deschutes Way SW
Tumwater, WA 98501
Corner of C Street and Deschutes Parkway

The Olympia Tumwater Foundation owns and manages Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls, the Schmidt House, and offers scholarships and grants through our Education Program.

  • Mailing Address:
    PO Box 4098
    Tumwater, WA 98501
  • Physical Location:
    110 Deschutes Way SW
    Tumwater, WA 98501
    (Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls)
  • Reach Out:
    (360) 943-2550
    OTF@olytumfoundation.org

© 2022 Olympia Tumwater Foundation / 501(c)(3) public charity. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

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Pedestrian Trail

One-half mile of walking trails are highlighted by cascading waterfalls, still, reflective pools and massive rocks. Spanning the river at both ends of the gorge and connecting the network of trails are foot bridges designed for compatibility with the surroundings and historic accuracy. Benches along the way provide a comfortable way to relax and take in the beautiful northwest surroundings or to just be mesmerized by the sound of the rushing falls.

Fisheries Facility in Tumwater Falls Park

Facilities operated by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Here

In the early 1950s, as part of its statewide hatchery program, the Washington Department of Fisheries built a series of concrete fish ladders to help salmon get upstream. In 1962, in conjunction with the development of Tumwater Falls Park, the state was granted an easement by the Foundation for hatchery operations at the top of the falls.

This photo, taken at the lower falls of the Deschutes River, is of a boat called the “screw trap” which WDFW biologists use to trap, catch and count the fish species that naturally migrate out of the Deschutes River. The WDFW biologists also tag a percentage of the migrating fish for survival data of species.

Historic District

Historical Markers

Walk the park and learn about early history on the Deschutes River. Throughout the Park grounds are six interpretive panels complete with informative text and historical photos. The panels show how the river canyon and waterfalls were home to the first permanent American settlement on the shores of Puget Sound. Eventually, pioneers established eight water-dependent industries along the river.

Tumwater Falls Bridge

Made Famous by Beer

One of the most charming features of the park is the wooden footbridge above the Lower Falls. Today’s bridge is a replica of the historic span that crossed the river at that same location more than a hundred years ago and appeared on the “lucky horseshoe” logo of the Olympia Brewing Company.

Washington Salish Native Plant Garden

Native Plant Garden at Tumwater Brewery Park

Dedicated in the spring of 2012, this ethnobotanical garden is a collaborative effort between Washington Salish tribes (Chehalis Tribe, Nisqually Indian Tribe, and Squaxin Island Tribe), and the Olympia Tumwater Foundation. Located near the Upper Falls, this garden’s collection of over 56 indigenous plant species represents a history of resourceful and artistic use by local Salish families to provide food, medicine, clothing, tools, and materials for day-to-day living.

Within the garden are two interpretive panels: one identifies each plant in the collection, and the other explains the garden’s origins.

Riverwalk Tours

The guided walking tour covers Tumwater’s pioneer past, Olympia Brewing Company history and the annual salmon migration.

These popular, free guided tours are offered from June through mid-September. For scheduled tour dates, and to register for a tour, click here. Tours are free and limited to a maximum of 30 people each. Meet outside the Olympia Tumwater Foundation office at Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls (near the upper falls).

Tours are free and limited to 30 people on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are taken. The tour meeting takes place outside of the Olympia Tumwater Foundation office in Tumwater Falls Park.

Salmon Return

Seasonal Activity

The peak season for viewing returning salmon in Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls begins as early as late August and can end as late as the last two weeks in October. Activity in Brewery Park at the WDFW fisheries facility increases dramatically during this time.

Watch this video to learn more about salmon returning to the Deschutes River.  This 50-minute video is presented by the City of Tumwater’s Water Resources Program and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Deschutes River Waterfalls

Three waterfalls—the Upper, Middle, and Lower falls–can be seen along the Deschutes River in Brewery Park. Visitors can enjoy all three while walking the half-mile pedestrian trail.