Vashon Island: Nature, Coast and Island Culture

When planning a trip to Vashon Island, you can choose between coastal parks, trails through varied landscapes, seasonal wildlife viewing, and offerings related to art and agriculture. If you are looking for a hotel on Vashon Island, you can consider which aspect of the island you want to shape your stay. The following places and activities offer specific points of reference.

Parks, Trails and Landscapes

The Vashon Park District's park areas provide access to wildlife habitats, nature-related activities, beaches, trails, and sports fields. Most parks on the Vashon-Maury Islands have walking paths; additional hiking trails are located on county land in the island's interior. This gives you different options: walking paths in parks and additional hiking trails in the island's interior.

At Judd Creek Preserve, trails pass through shoreline areas, maintained meadows, and wooded areas. The variety of landscape types makes the preserve a specific destination for anyone who wants a trail experience that includes not only forest, but also open meadows and shoreline areas.

Wildlife Viewing Throughout the Year

Every fall, spawning chum and coho salmon return to Shinglemill Creek, which is popular with the island's birdwatchers. Fisher Pond is the largest open pond on Vashon and one of the island's best birdwatching areas. The two places appeal to different nature interests: Shinglemill Creek is associated with fall salmon spawning, while Fisher Pond stands out especially for birdwatching.

You can also account for the seasonal difference in your plans: salmon activity at Shinglemill Creek is tied to fall.

Coast and Maritime History

Point Robinson has provided fog and lighthouse services to ships since 1885. The date and connection to shipping make this a specific point of interest for maritime history.

Another nearby natural area is Maury Island Marine Park. It is located on Maury Island, a peninsula of Vashon Island, and has more than a mile of shoreline on Puget Sound. From there, you can see East Passage, Mount Rainier, and the Cascade Mountains. Its extensive shoreline and named viewpoints give the park a different landscape character from the island's creek, meadow, and pond areas.

Art, Markets and Agriculture

The Vashon Center for the Arts is an arts center on Vashon Island. The Vashon Island Growers Association (VIGA) market showcases local artists and musicians and supports the full spectrum of agriculture on the island. While the Vashon Center for the Arts is an arts center, the VIGA market combines cultural programming with a connection to agriculture.

Activities on the Water

Jensen Point Park is a 4.0-acre waterfront activity park on the east side of the Burton Peninsula. Kayaking and rowing classes are offered there for all ages. From its boathouse, Vashon Adventures offers kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals and lessons, as well as tours and group paddling trips. Offerings may be seasonal; check whether they are available on your travel dates before making plans.

At the North End Boat Ramp, a concrete ramp runs parallel to a ferry dock. It provides beach access for kayaks, canoes, and other hand-carried boats. This is a specific point of reference for planning to use small, hand-carried watercraft.

More Experiences

Farm visits with Vashon Llamas end with a spinning demonstration. Vashon Tours offers a two-hour tour of Vashon Island's quirky history, hidden beaches, and legendary places. The duration gives you a specific time frame for this tour; its topics range from history to coastal spots and island stories.

Discover more destinations: Bellevue, Bothell, Newcastle, Des Moines, Skykomish, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Burien.

To the overall travel guide: King.