Vashon Island

United_States

Vashon Island or Vashon-Maury Island is an island near Seattle in the Puget Sound region, the largest island in Puget Sound south of Admiralty Inlet. There are no bridges to connect the island with the mainland, a big factor contributing to the island's relative isolation and rural character. Historic Point Robinson Lighthouse

  • Blake Island State Park. Vashon Island is a popular launching point for this nearby state park that was the birthplace of Chief Seattle and still offers Native American dancing for visitors.
  • Bike in a Tree. A bike swallowed up in a tree. This is the actual bike in a tree woven into the story "Red Ranger Came Calling" by Berkeley Breathed
  • Robinson Point Park and Lighthouse, 3705 SW Pt. Robinson Rd., Dockton, WA. A 10 acre shoreline park with a lighthouse. There are a few hiking trails and picnic tables. The keeper's quarters of the lighthouse have been restored and are available for weekly rental.

Blake Island State Park. Vashon Island is a popular launching point for this nearby state park that was the birthplace of Chief Seattle and still offers Native American dancing for visitors.

Bike in a Tree. A bike swallowed up in a tree. This is the actual bike in a tree woven into the story "Red Ranger Came Calling" by Berkeley Breathed

Robinson Point Park and Lighthouse, 3705 SW Pt. Robinson Rd., Dockton, WA. A 10 acre shoreline park with a lighthouse. There are a few hiking trails and picnic tables. The keeper's quarters of the lighthouse have been restored and are available for weekly rental.

Sea kayaking can be a rewarding way to explore the islands miles of coastline allowing the paddler a closer and slower look at their surroundings and making Vashon one a popular areas to kayak in Puget Sound. Thick forests of majestic pine and deciduous trees and hundreds of creeks and estuaries dot the coastline. Harbor Seals, Otters, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles and Blue Herons are common sites while the occasional viewing of an Orca or Grey Whale is not out of the question.

Organized trails offer overnight camping options and maps of appropriate and scenic travel destinations.

  • Cascadia Marine Trail. This inland sea trail is a National Recreation Trail and designated one of only 16 National Millennium Trails by the White House. Suitable for day or multi-day trips, the Cascadia Marine Trail has over 50 campsites to visit. People can boat to the campsites from many public and private launch sites or shoreline trailheads Vashon Island.

Cascadia Marine Trail. This inland sea trail is a National Recreation Trail and designated one of only 16 National Millennium Trails by the White House. Suitable for day or multi-day trips, the Cascadia Marine Trail has over 50 campsites to visit. People can boat to the campsites from many public and private launch sites or shoreline trailheads Vashon Island.

  • Vashon Island Kayak Center, 8900 SW Harbor Dr, +1 206 463-9602. Season Rentals May through September, lessons and group excursions.

Vashon Island Kayak Center, 8900 SW Harbor Dr, +1 206 463-9602. Season Rentals May through September, lessons and group excursions.

purple seastar found on Colvos Passage

Scuba diving the cold waters of Puget Sound takes a bit more gear and training than other warm water locations, but the rewards are incredible. The area contains some of the best diving in the world and many areas are accessible from the Vashon Island. Many dive sites are completely covered with colorful sea creatures that defy description. Giant Pacific Octopus are common, along with friendly wolf eels. Colorful sponges, sea cucumbers, sea stars, soft corals, anemones and fish can be seen on nearly every dive. The state offers a guide to parks with launch sites HERE

  • Vashon Pharmacy, 17617 Vashon Hwy SW (Town Center, +1 206 463-9118. M-F 9AM-7PM Sat 9AM-6PM Sun 11AM-1PM. It's not just a pharmacy. Vashon Pharmacy is more like a huge gift shop.

Vashon Pharmacy, 17617 Vashon Hwy SW (Town Center, +1 206 463-9118. M-F 9AM-7PM Sat 9AM-6PM Sun 11AM-1PM. It's not just a pharmacy. Vashon Pharmacy is more like a huge gift shop.

  • The Hardware Store Restaurant, 17601 SW Vashon Hwy (SW corner of Bank Rd. and the Highway, +1 206 463-1800. A nice restaurant in the oldest commercial building on Vashon

The Hardware Store Restaurant, 17601 SW Vashon Hwy (SW corner of Bank Rd. and the Highway, +1 206 463-1800. A nice restaurant in the oldest commercial building on Vashon

  • The Red Bicycle, 17618 Vashon Hwy SW (In the middle of town, in the blue and red building, +1 206-463-5959. Formerly known as Bishop's, The Red Bicycle is a local hangout with decent beer and live music on the weekends
  • Sportsman's Inn Pub & Eatery, 17611 Vashon Hwy SW (In the middle of town, on the west side of the main highway. A footballer player is painted on the sign and is hard to miss. Islanders call the location, +1 206-463-0940. Islanders call this location Sporties. It is a bar commonly filled with members of the elderly community.

The Red Bicycle, 17618 Vashon Hwy SW (In the middle of town, in the blue and red building, +1 206-463-5959. Formerly known as Bishop's, The Red Bicycle is a local hangout with decent beer and live music on the weekends

Sportsman's Inn Pub & Eatery, 17611 Vashon Hwy SW (In the middle of town, on the west side of the main highway. A footballer player is painted on the sign and is hard to miss. Islanders call the location, +1 206-463-0940. Islanders call this location Sporties. It is a bar commonly filled with members of the elderly community.

  • Vashon Library, 17707 100th Avenue SW, +1 206-463-2069. Vashon Island is actually within King County and benefits from King Counties well developed library system and has many resources available including wifi.

Vashon Library, 17707 100th Avenue SW, +1 206-463-2069. Vashon Island is actually within King County and benefits from King Counties well developed library system and has many resources available including wifi.

Seattle is to the east via ferry, Kitsap Peninsula is to the west via ferry and Tacoma is to the south via ferry.