Major city · United States
Anderson Island
Go for one night, two at most: a car ferry from Steilacoom, 170 acres of wetland trails, a farm museum and no hotels. Skip if you want nightlife or a beach resort.
Anderson Island is the southernmost island in Puget Sound, reached by a Pierce County ferry from Steilacoom in about 20 minutes. It is a rural residential island: two lakes, wooded trails, a restored 1896 farm, a nine-hole golf course and a handful of places to eat. There are no hotels, so you sleep in a bed and breakfast or a rented house, and you need a car or a bike to see anything. It suits a quiet one- or two-night break from Tacoma or Olympia, not a sightseeing checklist.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (driest trails); May and Oct are quieter and often wet
- avoid Nov–Mar (trails muddy, many rentals closed, short daylight)
- Airports
- SEA · OLM
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Anderson Island911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Anderson Island Fire/Rescue (Pierce County Fire District 27), office hours+1 253-884-4040
- Pierce County ferry information+1 253-588-1950
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Anderson Island, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are wet, unlit rural roads, winter flooding on the trails and the lack of a hospital.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 253-884-4040 Anderson Island Fire/Rescue (Pierce County Fire District 27), office hours · +1 253-588-1950 Pierce County ferry information
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSEA Seattle–Tacoma International (About 1 h 15 min by car to the Steilacoom ferry landing; no direct bus to the dock.).
- Getting aroundDrive or cycle.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a pastry at the island café$6–12
- Sit-down mealDinner main at the lakeshore restaurant$18–32
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich or soup$10–16
- BeerDraught beer$6–9
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–35
- Budget bedRented house (up to 6), a night, per roomUS$250
- Mid-range bedBed and breakfast room, a night, per roomUS$190
- High-end bedBed and breakfast room, a night, per roomUS$300
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International (About 1 h 15 min by car to the Steilacoom ferry landing; no direct bus to the dock.) · OLM Olympia Regional (Small field, limited service; about 45 min by car to Steilacoom.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Anderson Island: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
18 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
15 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
17 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
14 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
18 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
18 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Drive or cycle. Eckenstam Johnson Road runs north–south and most sights sit off it; the island has many small meandering roads and no bus service. Bring a car on the ferry if you can, or plan on a bike — distances are short but the roads are narrow and shoulderless in places.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Steilacoom
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Pierce County ferry from the Yoman Road landing, about 20 min
The mainland side of the crossing: historic houses, a small waterfront and the ferry dock.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Ferry to Steilacoom, then drive about 25 min north on I-5
Museums and waterfront; a full day, not a half.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Ferry to Steilacoom, then drive about 40 min south on I-5
State capital, farmers market and waterfront.
Ketron Island
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min
Pierce County ferry, limited runs only
Few sailings and almost no facilities: check the timetable before you plan around it.
Eagle Island State Park
cautionDoor to door: Varies
Boat only; mooring buoys on the west and east sides
Ten-acre marine park with trails and camping, no ferry service.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lake Josephine / Riviera area
Most bed and breakfasts and rental houses, plus the golf course and the lakeshore restaurant.
Eckenstam Johnson Road corridor
The island's main north–south road: café, general store and the trailheads are along it.
Near the ferry landing (Yoman Road)
Shortest walk off the boat; fewest beds, so book early.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Bed and breakfast room1 × 1 night × US$190 | US$190 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Pierce County ferry, car and driver, each way1 × US$30 · check | US$30 |
| Pierce County ferry, walk-on passenger, each way2 × US$6 · check | US$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$51 |
| Trip total≈ US$282 per person per day, bed included | US$563 |
No hotels on the island; many B&Bs close in winter.
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Ferry fares and your own car excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a pastry at the island café | $6–12 |
| Deli sandwich or soup | $10–16 |
| Dinner main at the lakeshore restaurant | $18–32 |
| Draught beer | $6–9 |
| Nine-hole green fee at the community clubcheck; some amenities are members-only | $25–45 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $15–35 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The ferry runs roughly hourly, about 05:00–22:30, and vehicles need a reservation in summer: check the Pierce County ferry page before you book a bed.The ferry runs roughly hourly, about 5:00 AM–10:30 PM, and vehicles need a reservation in summer: check the Pierce County ferry page before you book a bed.
- No hotels on the island — bed and breakfasts and rental houses only, and many close in winter.
- Cell coverage is patchy and there is no hospital: the volunteer fire department runs the ambulance, and serious cases go off-island by ferry, fireboat or helicopter.
- Trails at Andy's Wildlife Park flood in winter; the loop is a summer walk.
- Restaurant hours are short and change with the season: check before you count on dinner.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Anderson Island Fire/Rescue (Pierce County Fire District 27), office hours
- +1 253-884-4040
- Pierce County ferry information
- +1 253-588-1950
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Anderson IslandAnderson Island
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Anderson Island Fire/Rescue+1 253-884-4040
- Pierce County ferry+1 253-588-1950
Embassy
No consulates on the island. Nearest consulates-general are in Seattle; embassies are in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Steilacoom → Anderson Island, walk-on: about $6 each way, about 20 min (check)
- Steilacoom → Anderson Island, car and driver: about $30 each way; reserve in summer (check)
- Steilacoom → Tacoma by car: about 25 min via I-5
Say or show
- Where is the ferry landing? — Where is the ferry landing?
- One adult, round trip, please — One adult, round trip, please
- Do you take cards? — Do you take cards?
- Is there a table for two? — Is there a table for two?
- How do I get back to Steilacoom? — How do I get back to Steilacoom?
Print this card before you go: coverage is patchy and the ferry timetable is the one thing you must not miss.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Anderson Island. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (driest trails); May and Oct are quieter and often wet · avoid Nov–Mar (trails muddy, many rentals closed, short daylight) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry-to-bed contract: last sailing field-checked, vehicle reservation rule, walk-on fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: ferry landing, Eckenstam Johnson Road, Lake Josephine and Riviera, Andy's trailheads.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Andy's Wildlife Park, Andy's Marine Park, John O. Johnson Farm, Eagle Island) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialPierce County — ferry schedules and fares
- officialAnderson Island Parks — Andy's Wildlife Park
- officialAnderson Island Fire/Rescue
- officialWashington State Parks — Eagle Island
- officialRiviera Community Club
- officialAnderson Island Café
- secondaryWikivoyage: Anderson Island, revision 5219942 (CC BY-SA 4.0)