Steilacoom, Anderson Island and Ketron Island Ferry | Pierce County, WA

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Fuel service run to impact ferry schedule on Sept 20.

There will be a fuel service run on Monday morning, Sept 20. The fuel tankers will be traveling on the 9:30 a.m. departure from Steilacoom and the 11:10 a.m. departure from Anderson Island. See the modified schedule and learn more.

Evening cancellations on Oct. 3 due to preventive maintenance

A Pierce County crew will be doing routine preventive maintenance work at the Anderson Island Terminal on Sunday, Oct. 3. Please plan your trip accordingly as the following runs will be canceled:

9:10 p.m. from Anderson Island
10:20 p.m. from Steilacoom
10:50 p.m. from Anderson Island

This work is dependent on weather conditions and subject to change. Learn more

Riding the Ferry

In accordance with Gov. Inslee’s masking mandate, all passengers and employees—regardless of their vaccination status—are required to wear a face mask when in indoor spaces such as the ferry passenger cabin and terminals. Masks are also required outdoors where social distancing is not possible. Masks are available at the Steilacoom Terminal and onboard upon request.

Steilacoom, Ketron & Anderson Island Ferry


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Expect to see additional Pierce County heavy equipment on ferry through Sept. 22

Pierce County crews continue to work on the repair to the Eckenstam Johnson Road shoulder north of Brandt Road through Sept. 22. Expect to see additional heavy equipment on the 5:45am and 12:45pm ferry departures. Please plan your trip accordingly. Read On...

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Using the Ferry
About the Ferry

Ferry Webcams

Steilacoom Loading Lanes

Steilacoom Dock

Anderson Island Loading Lanes

Anderson Island Dock

Using the Ferry

Ferry Loading Guidelines
Updated: July 1, 2019

Loading lanes fill left to right. Loading will take place in the same order.
Do not leave gaps. Pull as close as you can to the vehicle in front of you.
Do not leave your vehicle unattended in the lanes, except to purchase tickets.
Be in your vehicle with the appropriate tickets at least 20 minutes before boarding.
Gates close two minutes prior to departure.
Please show ID for senior or disabled tickets when purchasing and loading.
Traffic cones are used to block closed lanes. If lane is blocked, move to next lane or overflow parking along Martin Street.
Vehicles may only load from the ferry lanes.
Do not park behind a full lane or drive up behind the end of a lane that is loading—that’s cutting in line and we may deny you passage on that run.
Line cutting violations may result in a $48 ticket.
Oversize vehicles will be loaded to best balance the ferry.
Be respectful to staff and other ferry users. Hostile or abusive behavior may result in denied passage on that run.
Please do not block private driveways or public streets within the loading lanes.
Motorcycles arriving before boarding begins may park in designated areas below loading lanes. Motorcycles arriving during boarding must get behind vehicles already in lanes and may not pull to the front.

Download Ferry Loading Guidelines poster file.

Line cutting may result in $48 fine
As of July 1, 2019, cutting in ferry loading lanes may be subject to $48 fine. Avoid opportunities for line cutting by parking directly behind vehicle ahead without leaving a gap, and staying with your vehicle. Matching codes were enacted by Pierce County and the Town of Steilacoom to manage all loading lanes on the route.

Using the Ferry
Walk-On Passengers

Must be aboard five minutes prior to departure time.
While disembarking, wait in the designated area until directed.

Vehicles

Must be in line 20 minutes prior to departure time.
Keep railroad tracks clear at all times.
For loading lanes, fill Lane 1 first, Lane 2 second, and Lane 3 last.
Please turn off cell phones when loading and disembarking.
Follow all crew instructions.
Drive 5 mph or less.
Please turn car headlights off and use only parking lights when loading.
When parking on the ferry deck, pull as close as you can to the vehicle in front of you, set the emergency brake, and turn the engine off.
Motorcycles arriving before boarding begins may park in designated areas below loading lanes. Motorcycles arriving during boarding must get behind vehicles already in lanes and may not pull to the front.

More helpful information about using the ferry.

Extreme low tides
Oversize and low vehicles may be restricted during times of extremely low tides – these are tides of zero feet and below. Vehicles with low-hanging parts (bumpers, hitches, etc.) and extended overhangs from the rear axle (such as recreational vehicles) may be denied access to the ferry during extreme low tides. View NOAA tidal information to plan your travel.

Groups and events
Please email the ferry system at [email protected] at least two weeks in advance of planned events that will bring 10 or more people to Anderson Island. This is not a requirement, but it is helpful for other ferry riders. Events can cause ferry service delays due to more people needing access to the island. We may be able to provide input to help make your event a success. For groups of 10 or more, please help your guests with carpool and shuttle options to reduce ferry service impact.

About the Ferry

The Pierce County Ferry serves Anderson and Ketron islands from the town of Steilacoom. All fares are roundtrip and are collected at the Steilacoom Terminal.

We offer three ways to buy ferry tickets:

Buy ticket online
Smartphone app for Android or Apple
In-person at the Steilacoom Ferry Terminal.

Ferry riders must have the correct ticket(s) or passage will be denied. Times listed in the schedule are departure times. Ferry vessel loading may end up to five minutes in advance of departure.