Vashon Activities

This 64-acre park on the Burton Peninsula, across the road from Jensen Point, offers a number of easily accessible, gently sloping, non-motorized trails through a mature and diverse forest.

Here you’ll spot deer grazing among big-leaf maples and hear the calls of bushtits and pileated woodpeckers. Ravens and bald eagles are two of the larger species you may see as you peer upward through sun-dappled rises and ravines.

Home to 110 acres of sweeping ravines, forest, wetland and pond, Wax Orchard is one of the newest additions to the island’s trail system, with open space for relaxed community events and play. Centrally located in the heart of the island, the property also boasts four miles of trails through its beautiful meadows.

If you’re looking for a short walk in the woods on the south end of the island, Christensen Pond is perfect for the casual explorer looking to spot waterfowl, local fauna, old-growth fir, and wildlife large and small.

The mostly level loop pulls you immediately into a mixed-wood forest with one circular wetland. A small, still pond can be seen through the undergrowth and approached from multiple points along the trail. Head to the right where the trail forks.

Dogs are not allowed at Christensen Pond Preserve.

At more than 400 acres, Island Center Forest claims the largest and most popular collection of trails on Vashon, with more than 10 miles to hike, bike, and ride.

Trails, ponds, and extensive wetlands are found here, along with an ample parking lot and picnic tables near the entrance. With miles of intersecting trails, it’s important to pay attention to the trail map and occasional wayfinding signs. That sense of getting lost is often part of the charm of exploring this expansive forest.

Shinglemill is one of the more challenging and beautiful trails on the island. The early part from Cedarhurst Road begins with a stroll by the water through the woods, but adventurers soon begin an uphill climb that doesn’t end quickly.

The preserve itself is 108 acres, and the 2.5-mile round-trip trail takes about two hours up and back. The workout is worth it: Shinglemill boasts dramatic, fern-covered ravines, cedar, fir, and hemlock, and ends with the sound of the creek and abundant birdlife.

Fisher Pond, the largest freshwater pond on Vashon, is one of the island’s favorite strolls. It’s a great place for bird watching, nature study, and even ice skating in winter.

As you walk, watch for spur trails heading west, north, and east. Throughout, the left fork of the trail follows the pond’s shoreline, and a connection on the east side of the loop is perfect for a quick rest, picnic, or fishing.