Maury Island Marine Park lies on the island’s east end across from Federal Way. It joins Vashon Island via a tombolo, an isthmus built by local homeowners in 1913. Meanwhile, Maury Island Natural Area sits to the near southwest.
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Maury Island Marine Park at a Glance
Access: northeast entrance (park info)
Round Trip: 7.1 miles
Elevation Range: 30′-492′
Gear: none
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: yes
Vashon Island to Maury Island
After 25 years living in Greater Seattle, I finally visited Vashon Island today. I first heard about the place in passing from someone who lived there years ago. But this Washingtonian couldn’t pinpoint it on the map even with trying.
A 20-minute ride from Fauntleroy in West Seattle soon put me at Vashon Island’s north end. Then it’s a half-hour drive south to Maury Island Marine Park via the scenic isthmus. The discreet northeast entrance began at the end of a street.
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Maury Island Marine Park Loop Trail
I started walking from the gate with another car in the lot. The road first dipped to the benches at the bend, with the view of Federal Way. Then the vista widened as the path dropped to the lowest point by the sandy shore.
The main trail went northwest to the top. Then I looped clockwise via Highpoint Trail through the flat, woodsy high point on the island. A man and his dog appeared before I finished the loop and savored the water view back to the car.
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Maury Island Natural Area Plus Exit
It’s a five-minute drive to Maury Island Natural Area from the gate. Then past Bluffs Trailhead, the first viewpoint saw Federal Way with someone doing yoga. I traced the rim to the lower lookout atop the gravel pit before entering the trees.
The main path went through Dockton Forest with tree views. Before long, I walked east past the west entrance to finish the loop by the gate. En route to the ferry dock, I took a detour to drive over Vashon Island’s high point on Bank Road.
See more trip photos here.