Dockton Park, Forest & Natural Area

Dockton Park, Forest & Natural Area

Location: Vashon Island
Address: 9500 S.W. Dock St., Vashon
Acreage: 193

This is the 500th park I’ve written about on this blog. 500! Now on with the show…

I spent a sunny day last year with my family touring a handful of really great parks on Vashon Island, and Dockton may be my favorite.

We started with a mountain bike ride on the trails that you’ll find on one side of this park, which spans both sides of Dockton Rd. SW. (Confusingly, the road changes its name to S.W. Dock St. a few steps down the street.)

Real mountain biking trails are hard to come by within close reach of the city, so it’s amazing that Vashon Island residents have some to call their own. The three miles of trails are mostly beginner and intermediate and were built by volunteers. Many of the trails in this system are also good for hiking and total 12 miles if you add in the contiguous Maury Island Natural Area.

But, cross the street and you can also enjoy an appealing waterfront with a marina, dock, restrooms, play area, picnic tables and saltwater shoreline to explore. Dockton Park & Forest is one of the many parks that’s managed by King County.

While you’re on the Island (and craving more waterfront views), visit Point Robinson Park.

#500 (Visited 6/24/18)