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

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Please remain in your vehicle while on ferry and practice social distancing. The passenger cabin is limited to 25 people. Effective June 26, face masks are required while in public spaces at the terminal and on the ferry – including outdoor spaces when six feet of distance isn’t maintained between people.

Steilacoom, Ketron & Anderson Island Ferry

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Effective 9/25/20, Pierce County Ferry will stop the use of plastic loading cards

Effective 9/25/20, Pierce County Ferry will stop the use of plastic loading cards. Thank you for your patience as we work to apply solutions to help reduce line cutting occurrences. An alternative solution will be implemented at a later date. Read On...

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Using the Ferry
About the Ferry

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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 pcferry@piercecountywa.gov 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.