Dash Point State Park sits on Puget Sound just northeast of Browns Point, Commencement Bay and downtown Tacoma. It’s a great recreational destination on its own, and particularly popular with kite flyers and swimmers. It’s also a nice spot to launch a kayak and explore the shoreline to the north and to the south. There’s a jetty from which people go crabbing and fishing. Eleven miles of hiking and biking trails in the park top it all off.
And if you’re traveling on a budget or just very enamored with sleeping in the great outdoors, make Dash Point Point your base from which to explore the nearby city of Tacoma, like its world-renowned Museum of Glass, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and the Washington State History Museum.
Camping: Dash Point State Park has 114 tent campsites, and 27 sites for trailers / RVs up to 35 feet that have hookups. There is a dump station, flush toilets and showers, and a playground. You can camp here year-round. Reserve a campsite online or call (888) 226-7688.
Location: 5700 Southwest Dash Point Road in Federal Way, WA see map
Hours: 8 a.m. to dusk year-round. A Washington State Discover Pass is required.
More info: Park website | (253) 661-4955
Directions: From I-5, take exit #143 (320th St.) and head west about four miles. When 320th St. ends make a right onto 47th St. When 47th St. ends turn left onto Hwy. 509 (Dash Point Rd.) Drive two miles to the park.
