Dash Point State Park views Maury Island and Vashon Island across Puget Sound. This hidden gem in Federal Way, WA, offers miles of hiking and biking trails. The notable Point Defiance Park/Zoo is only a stone’s throw west of Commencement Bay.
See more trip photos here.
Dash Point State Park at a Glance
Access: Hoyt Road (park info)
Round Trip: 8.5 miles
Elevation Range: 0′-440′
Essential Gear: none
GPS Track: available
Dog-friendly: yes
Playlist: Ethereal
Hiking Near Vashon Island of Puget Sound
In the past, I’d look to Eastern Washington when it rained in the mountains. But after visiting Bridle Trails State Park last month, I turned my attention to other state parks. It would save us the long drive while seeking spots close to home on rainy days.
Who would’ve thought we could make the short drive worth it and get over eight miles of exercise? The winding trails throughout the park provided the most distance. Besides them, the short stretch of the walkable beach was a big draw for the public.
See more trip photos here.
Log Jam Trail to Dash Point Beach
Once again, I mapped out the maximum loop by including nearly all paths in the park. But to avoid repeating the same trails, we skipped a few of them for a better flow. We started from the east parking lot and worked our way clockwise.
The winding “Log Jam” and “Technical Trail” took us through the south end. We went behind the neighborhood homes, which were too close for comfort. Meanwhile, it was muddy in places with small streams and many benches to rest on.
See more trip photos here.
Exiting Dash Point State Park via Hoyd Road Trail
The washout over a small part of Boundary Trail forced us to reroute. Soon, we were at the beach after walking under the steel bridge along Thames Creek. After a break enjoying views of Puget Sound, we followed the trail to the overlook above the cliffs.
As we strolled past the north lot, several openings through trees looked out over the water. The fewer visitors on a Friday afternoon offered much-needed peace. Before long, we passed the campground and picked up Hoyd Road Trail back to the east.
See more trip photos here.