Just moved to Tacoma, or getting back into it after a while? These groups are beginner-friendly and welcoming — no need to be fast, experienced, or know a soul.
Sundays, 7:30am · 3–5 mi, all paces, coffee after
📍 Anthem Coffee, Point Ruston, Tacoma
A big, friendly Sunday crowd along Ruston Way — pick your pace and distance, then regroup at Anthem for coffee.
Saturdays, 8:00am · free 5K on road + fire-road trail
📍 Point Defiance Park (Five Mile Drive), Tacoma
A free, timed-optional 5K through Point Defiance — paved Five Mile Drive plus a fire-road trail stretch. Park at the Owen Beach upper lot.
Mount Tahoma Trails Association
Winter groomed cross-country trails & huts — see grooming report
📍 Mt. Tahoma Trails, near Ashford
North America’s largest no-fee hut-to-hut system — ~50 miles of trail (20 groomed) with three huts and a yurt below Mt. Rainier.
Thursdays, 6:30pm · social 3 mi from a rotating bar
📍 Rotating Tacoma bars & restaurants
A social-pace 3-mile run from a different Tacoma bar each week, rain or shine.
Mondays, 6:00pm · free 3–5 mi run/walk, all abilities
📍 Fleet Feet Tacoma (N 26th St)
A free 3–5 mile run or walk for every ability, finishing with a social stop at Peaks and Pints.
Winter race series at Fort Steilacoom — see calendar
📍 Fort Steilacoom Park, Lakewood
Weekly group runs & training groups — see shop
📍 South Sound Running, Point Ruston, Tacoma
Last Wednesday of the month, 6:00pm · social pub run
📍 South Sound Running, Point Ruston, Tacoma
A relaxed last-Wednesday social run from the Point Ruston shop.
Tacoma City Marathon Association
Year-round road races (marathon, half, 5K) — see calendar
📍 Varies by event (Tacoma area)
Seasonal trail-race series in Puget Sound parks — see events
📍 Rotating Puget Sound parks
The Mountaineers — Tacoma Branch
Member-led trail runs & courses — see activity calendar
📍 Rotating South Sound trailheads
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance — South Sound
Seasonal chapter group rides — see calendar
📍 Swan Creek Park, Tacoma
Group rides on the singletrack, stacked loops, and pump track the South Sound chapter built at Swan Creek.
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance — South Sound
Volunteer trail-building days — see calendar
📍 South Sound trail projects (Swan Creek, Tehaleh & more)
Tacoma Washington Bicycle Club
Year-round member rides for all paces — see ride calendar
📍 Rotating South Sound start points
Your first ride is free — no membership required.
Tacoma Washington Bicycle Club
Annual spring signature ride — see events
📍 Pierce County (see event page)
The Mountaineers — Tacoma Branch
Branch day hikes & backpacks — see activity calendar
📍 Rotating Mt. Rainier & South Sound trailheads
The Mountaineers — Tacoma Branch
Winter snowshoe trips — see activity calendar
📍 Rotating Mt. Rainier-area trailheads
Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition
Seasonal group walks & rides on the Foothills Trail — see events
📍 Foothills National Recreation Trail (Puyallup–Buckley)
Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition
Volunteer trail-stewardship days — see events
📍 Foothills National Recreation Trail
Seasonal guided hikes & outdoor programs — see schedule
📍 Tacoma parks & trails
Open daily · top-rope, lead & bouldering plus classes
📍 Edgeworks Climbing, Tacoma
The Mountaineers — Tacoma Branch
Basic & intermediate climbing courses + trips — see calendar
📍 Varies by course (Cascades & Mt. Rainier)
The Mountaineers — Tacoma Branch
Beginner classic-ski course + winter outings — see calendar
📍 Rotating Cascade sno-parks
Fourth Monday, 9:30am · beginner walk, loaner binoculars
📍 Adriana Hess Audubon Center, University Place
A fourth-Monday walk built for beginners — borrow binoculars and a field guide at the center.
Third Thursday, 8:00am · no base pass required
📍 Eagle’s Pride Golf Course, JBLM
60+ free field trips a year around the South Sound — see calendar
📍 Rotating Pierce County & South Sound sites
Fly-fishing classes & guided saltwater trips — see shop
📍 Puget Sound Fly Co, Tacoma
Puget Sound Anglers — Gig Harbor & Tacoma
Monthly chapter meetings + member outings — see calendar
📍 Gig Harbor / Tacoma (see chapter site)
The Mountaineers — Tacoma Branch
Basic/intermediate sea-kayak courses + paddles — see calendar
📍 Puget Sound launches (Commencement Bay & beyond)
Beginner, intermediate & 50+ kayak tours — see schedule
📍 Owen Beach, Point Defiance Park, Tacoma