The park serves as the gateway to 360 Trails, a 280-acre property originally preserved for timber harvesting and recreation.
The trail system is specifically designed to be multi-modal, safely hosting hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders on shared paths.
The park's site design intentionally utilizes bio-swales and native plantings to manage stormwater runoff naturally.
The 360 Trails area includes terrain that varies from flat, gentle loops to steep, technical descents for mountain bike training.
The site layout incorporates a central plaza that acts as a community gathering space separate from the active trailheads.
Gateway Park in Gig Harbor serves as a primary access point for the 360 Trails system, offering over 6 miles of multi-use recreational paths. The park features a designated off-leash dog area, a modern playground, and a central plaza equipped with picnic facilities. It functions as a trailhead for mountain biking, equestrian riding, and trail running through diverse forest terrain. The facility is managed by the Key Peninsula Metropolitan Park District. Its trail network connects to a broader system that accommodates varying skill levels from beginner to advanced. The park layout focuses on low-impact development to preserve the surrounding second-growth forest landscape.
The elevated sections of the forest trails, which offer clear vantage points through the canopy during the late afternoon.
Bring a trail map, as the extensive 360 Trails network contains many intersecting paths that can be confusing for first-time visitors.
Check local trail conditions on the Key Peninsula Park District website before visiting, especially after heavy Pacific Northwest rain.
Use the dedicated mountain bike repair station at the trailhead if you encounter mechanical issues on the trails.
Attempting to hike the entire trail system without a GPS device or map, as the network is sprawling and densely forested.
Hikers must yield to equestrians; mountain bikers must yield to both hikers and equestrians. Dogs must remain leashed outside the designated off-leash area.
