Dash Point State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dash Point State Park |
|
|---|---|
Beach at Dash Point
|
|
 Dash Point State Park
Location in Washington (state)
|
|
| Location | Washington, United States |
| Area | 398 acres (161 ha) |
| Elevation | 184 ft (56 m) |
| Established | 1962 |
| Operator | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |
| Website | Dash Point State Park |
Dash Point State Park is a cool place to visit in Washington. It's a state park that covers about 398 acres. This park is special because it sits right on the edge of Puget Sound. It's also unique because it's located across the border of two counties: King and Pierce.
The park has a long shoreline, stretching over 3,300 feet. It's a great spot for outdoor fun! You can find 140 campsites here, perfect for camping trips. There are also 11 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Visitors enjoy looking for shells on the beach, fishing, swimming, and watching birds. You might even see people windsurfing or skimboarding. The park is just across Commencement Bay from downtown Tacoma.
Contents
Park History
Before it was called Dash Point, this area had a few different names. People knew it as Ison Landing, Fairview Beach, or Woodstock Beach. We're not entirely sure how the name "Dash Point" came about. However, by 1877, this name was officially used on maps.
The land for the park was bought from the McLeod family by the State of Washington in the late 1940s. The park was officially opened and developed in 1962. This was done just in time for the Seattle World's Fair, a big event held in Seattle that year.
Fun Things to Do at Dash Point
Dash Point State Park is a very popular spot, especially during the summer. Many families from Federal Way love to visit. The park's location on the point means that when the tide goes out, huge parts of the beach are uncovered. This gives everyone lots of space to play and relax.
Skimboarding and Beach Fun
It's very common to see people skimboarding on the beach here. Skimboarding is a sport where you slide across the thin layer of water left by the waves. There's even a yearly competition held by Dash Boards each summer, which is exciting to watch! Besides skimboarding, the wide beach is perfect for building sandcastles, playing games, or just enjoying the sun.
Exploring the Trails
The park also has many trails that are popular with runners. These trails wind through the park's natural areas. You can find entrances to the trail system in many different spots. These include areas in Federal Way and North East Tacoma. The trails offer a great way to explore the park's forests and enjoy nature.
- You can find a map of the Dash Point State Park trails from 2017 here: [1]
