Overview
Tumwater is a city in the southern Puget Sound region of Washington State, just south of Olympia.
5 sights · 2 things to do · 1 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Tumwater
Tumwater Falls Park
Wolf Haven International
It is a wolf sanctuary located about a half an hour from Olympia. Forty-seven wolves reside at the refuge and it can be toured by visitors. It has been listed several times in reputable wildlife journals as being one of …
Tumwater Historical Park
Park adjacent to the Crosby House. Includes space for picnics and river access.
Tumwater Hill Park
Includes trails and a baseball field.
Crosby House Museum
Henderson House Museum
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 78°F; winter lows dip to about 35°F. Wettest: Nov and Jan. (climate data from nearby Kent)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- OLM Olympia Regional Airport, Olympia — 3 mi away. Directions
- TIW Tacoma Narrows Airport, Tacoma — 24 mi away. Directions
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 41 mi away (major hub). Directions
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) is the nearest commercial airport.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Tumwater Falls Park, Henderson House Museum, Crosby House Museum
- Lunch Falls Terrace
- Afternoon Tumwater Historical Park, Tumwater Valley Golf Course
Day 2
- Morning Wolf Haven International
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) is the nearest commercial airport.
By car
Interstate 5 (I-5) from Seattle and Portland passes through Tumwater.
US Highway 101 (US-101) from Port Angeles and the Olympic Peninsula moves along the northern city limit before merging into I-5.
Get around
See
See Henderson House Museum
Do
Do Wolf Haven International
It is a wolf sanctuary located about a half an hour from Olympia. Forty-seven wolves reside at the refuge and it can be toured by visitors. It has been listed several times in reputable wildlife journals as being one of the top wolf sanctuaries in the United States.
Eat
Eat Falls Terrace
Great seafood & steakhouse with a view of Tumwater Falls.
Sleep
Nearby
Olympia
City / town · 37 listings · 3 mi away
Lacey
City / town · 9 listings · 5 mi away
Anderson Island
City / town · 13 listings · 14 mi away
Harstine Island
City / town · 6 listings · 16 mi away
Shelton
City / town · 4 listings · 17 mi away
Steilacoom
City / town · 7 listings · 19 mi away
Centralia
City / town · 20 listings · 20 mi away
Key Peninsula
Rural area · 28 listings · 21 mi away
My experience
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