Dash Point delivers a great getaway

When someone says the tide is out at Dash Point State Park, they mean the tide is out.  Way out.

The beach has such a slight incline that any tide that is low at all really makes the exposed sand go off into the distance.

It also provides so much shallow water that sometimes it seems like you can venture halfway to Maury Island across Puget Sound.

As long as it isn't high tide, there is plenty of room to sun bathe, walk, beach comb, swim or wade.

Even when the tide is in there is 3,301 feet of shoreline, plus a fishing pier.

On the water you can go boating, kayaking or skim boarding.

The latter is a Dash Point phenomenon, with the park nestled next to the heart of the city of Federal Way between Seattle and Tacoma hosting competitions at times.

You throw a small thin board into the shallow water, hop aboard and ride.

Dash Point boasts plenty of picnic area as well with two shelters that can be reserved and 20 uncovered tables available to whoever gets there first.

There is a short trail including a tunnel under the road from the parking area to the beach.

If that isn't enough of a walk for you, there are eight miles of wooded biking trails and 11 miles of hiking trails to navigate in the opposite direction.

Above it all in a wood so thick you can get the feeling you are way off in the mountains is the camping area.

A total of 114 standard campsites, 27 utility sites, one dump site, four restrooms and six showers are available.

Even though the beach looks like a good spot to chase clams with a shovel, it is not recommended.

Automated pay stations on the way into the overall 461-acre park offer $10 per car state day use passes and Discover passes for $30 that will get you into any state park in Washington for an entire year.

Camping and using the boat launch are extra.  Fishing and any harvesting of shellfish require a state license. 

 

How to get there:

Dash Point State Park is located at 5700 Southwest Dash Point Road in Federal Way.

Take the South 320th Street exit off Interstate 5 and keep on going west (left northbound, right southbound) until the street ends at Hoyt Road.

Take a right at the light until that road ends at Dash Point Road and go left where a roundabout is under construction.

A short distance down is the park to your right.

Call (253) 661-4955 for more information on the park or check the Dash Point State Park website. Call 888-226-7688 if you want to camp.

Text and photos by Tim Clinton.