Washington water fans, look no further! Bust out your kayak, sand bucket, swimsuit or fishing rod, and head straight for Dash Point State Park! 

Hidden in plain sight between Seattle and Tacoma, this park offers miles of forested hiking and biking trails, but its main draw is the beach. The shoreline narrows at high tide, bringing anglers out to its pier. Low tide turns the sand flats into a play destination for locals, families with children and hip skim boarders surfing the shallow water.

Dash Point has become a hotspot for skim boarding, which consists of throwing a small, thin board into shallow water, jumping onto it and riding it like a cross between a surf board and a skateboard. Low tide at Dash Point provides ideal conditions for this activity, and this is a popular place for skim boarding camps, competitions and gatherings on the park's sandy shores.

While boarders chase the ultimate ride, birders can see a multitude of shore birds and raptors. Beach explorers will find starfish and crabs. Budding botanists can identify a rich variety of trees, plants and flowers. 

Whether you're out for an afternoon or a camping trip, whether you're watching your kids, the birds or the boarders, you'll be delighted by this oasis tucked between two urban hubs.

State Parks Tagged With: Federal Way