King County, Washington · Puget Sound
Vashon Island
No bridges. No chains. Just 37 square miles of farmland, forest, and shoreline — 20 minutes from Seattle by ferry.
Ferry from Seattle
20 min
Ferry from Tacoma
15 min
Ferry from Kitsap
30 min
Island Size
37 sq mi
County
King County
Vashon Island sits at the center of Puget Sound, about a 20 minute ferry ride from West Seattle and 15 minutes from Tacoma, yet it feels like a different world. No bridges connect it to the mainland. No chain restaurants line the main street. What you find instead is 37 square miles of farmland, forest, independent shops, and shoreline, all anchored by a small town arts community that has quietly become one of the more interesting creative enclaves in the Pacific Northwest.
Technically, Vashon and the adjacent Maury Island form a single landmass connected by a narrow land bridge, though most visitors simply call the whole thing Vashon. This guide covers both islands: the ferry crossings, where to eat and stay, what to do, and how to make the most of a day trip or an overnight visit.
Parks Near Vashon Island
There are no Washington State Parks on Vashon or Maury Island itself. The island’s green space is managed through King County parks, including Dockton Park, Jensen Point, Lisabuela Park, and Burton Acres Park. These are the parks to build your itinerary around.
The closest Washington State Parks are accessible via the ferry routes. From the Southworth crossing, Manchester State Park in Port Orchard is about 10 minutes north and offers picnic areas and a concrete pier over Rich Passage. From Tahlequah, Dash Point State Park in Federal Way is approximately 25 minutes by car and has a wide sandy beach on Puget Sound worth combining with a Vashon day.
Getting Here
Three Washington State Ferry routes serve Vashon Island. The most traveled crossing departs from Fauntleroy in West Seattle and arrives at the north end of the island in approximately 20 minutes. From the south, Point Defiance in Tacoma connects to Tahlequah at the island’s southern tip in 15 minutes. A third route runs between Southworth on the Kitsap Peninsula and Vashon in approximately 30 minutes, useful for visitors coming from the Olympic Peninsula or Bremerton area.
There are no bridges to Vashon, which is both the point and the practical reality. Ferries run throughout the day but fill up on summer weekends. Check the current schedule at wsdot.wa.gov/ferries before you go. Foot passengers and cyclists have more flexibility than drivers and typically board faster.
King County Metro also runs a seasonal Water Taxi from Pier 50 in downtown Seattle to Vashon. It runs on a limited schedule and is primarily a commuter service, but it is worth checking if you are coming from central Seattle. See metro.kingcounty.gov for current times.
Parking on the island is informal and generally not a problem. The main commercial area in Uptown Vashon has street parking and a small lot near the shops. At Dockton and Point Robinson, expect dirt shoulders and limited pullouts.
Things to Do
Parks & Nature
Point Robinson Park and Lighthouse
Point Robinson Park sits on the eastern shore of Maury Island and is one of the best spots on the island for a beach walk. The lighthouse has provided service since 1885. On clear days you can see Mount Rainier across the water from the point. Check tide timing before you go.
Curiosities
The Bike in the Tree
A bicycle absorbed into the trunk of a tree over more than a century, now lifted several feet off the ground as the tree grew around it. Find it via a short trail walk off SW 204th Street. Worth the detour.
Parks & Nature
Dockton Park
A family friendly stop on the southwest end of Maury Island with covered picnic areas, fire pits, a dock with floating platform, swimming beach, and 23 acres of hiking trails. The adjacent Dockton Forest connects to mountain biking terrain.
Food & Drink
Burton Coffee Stand and Village
Burton is a small waterfront village on the east side of the island. The Burton Coffee Stand is a community institution with locally made mosaic signage, reliably good coffee, and a welcoming atmosphere. Grab something and sit at the water.
Parks & Nature
Lisabuela Park
A quiet spot on the west shore for watching sunsets over the Olympic Mountains. Low key and undervisited. Go late afternoon and bring something to eat.
Outdoors
Cycling the Island
Vashon is well suited for cycling. Roads are quiet, traffic is light, and routes range from rolling to genuinely hilly. Vashon Adventures rents electric bikes. The full island loop runs about 25 miles.
Arts & Culture
Art Galleries in Uptown
Two galleries worth knowing in Uptown Vashon: Gather Vashon and Raven's Nest Art Gallery. Raven's Nest carries painting, sculpture, photography, pottery, jewelry, wood, glass, and textiles from local and regional artists.
Where to Stay
The Lodges on Vashon
Individual 570 sq ft cabins with gas fireplaces, radiant heat floors, deep soaking tubs, and private decks, situated a short walk from the beach. The standout lodging option on the island.
lodgesonvashon.comThe Vashon Inn
Simple rooms in the heart of Uptown. Convenient if you are on foot and want to be close to the restaurants and shops.
Keeper's Quarters at Point Robinson Lighthouse
A three bedroom, two bathroom vacation rental managed through Washington State Parks. Available April through October. Sits directly at an active lighthouse on the eastern shore of Maury Island.
parks.wa.govVashon Adventures
Runs a small camping operation and rents kayaks, paddleboards, and electric bikes. A useful base if your plan involves a lot of time on the water or on the roads.
Find a Cabin Near Vashon Island
Browse Washington cabin rentals on Washington Staycations, powered by Explore Washington State.
Food & Drink
Vashon punches well above its size when it comes to food. The options are clustered in Uptown and easy to walk between.
The Hardware Store Restaurant
The Hardware Store occupies the oldest commercial building on the island and serves what it calls Northwest Americana: breakfast through dinner, seven days a week. Think French toast, buttermilk fried chicken, and meatloaf made with locally sourced and organic ingredients. It is the most recognizable restaurant on Vashon and earns its reputation.
The Ruby Brink
Part butcher shop, part restaurant, The Ruby Brink is the current local favorite for a proper dinner. Owned by three partners with a genuine commitment to local sourcing and preservation techniques, it is the most serious kitchen on the island. Reserve ahead on weekends.
May Kitchen and Bar
A Thai restaurant with a full bar and a bartender who takes the cocktail side seriously. The unassuming exterior undersells what is inside. Good option for dinner if you want something other than Pacific Northwest fare.
Zamorana
Started as a food truck by Jorge Garnica, a former Hardware Store chef, Zamorana makes tacos, burritos, and tortas that hold up against the best in Seattle. Order the tacos.
Camp Colvos Brewing
The island brewpub. Good spot for an afternoon pint after a beach walk or a bike ride.
Vashon Island Baking Company
The go to for baked goods. Pick something up for the ferry ride back.
Festivals & Events
July
Vashon Strawberry Festival
The island's signature annual event. 2026 dates: July 17 through 19. Live music across multiple stages, a Sunday morning parade through Uptown, pancake breakfast, classic car show, and vendor markets. Foot passengers have a real advantage; vehicle ferry lines run long on festival weekend.
May through October
Vashon Island Farmers Market
Runs Saturdays in Uptown, a reliable anchor for a weekend morning visit. The island also has a rotating calendar of gallery openings, farm dinners, and community theater at the Vashon Theatre.
Day Trips
Vashon sits at a useful geographic midpoint between Seattle and Tacoma, which opens up a few natural combinations.
Tacoma (20 minutes from Tahlequah ferry terminal)
The Point Defiance ferry puts you directly into Tacoma, which has more going for it than most visitors expect. The Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, and the waterfront are all within a few miles of the terminal. A Vashon morning followed by a Tacoma afternoon makes for a full and varied day.
Seattle and West Seattle
Fauntleroy lands you in West Seattle, about 25 minutes from downtown by car. Alki Beach, Pike Place Market, and the Seattle Art Museum are all straightforward from there. This combination works better in the other direction (Seattle first, Vashon after) so you are not rushing for the last ferry.
Bainbridge Island
If you want to compare Pacific Northwest island experiences, Bainbridge is a solid choice. It is more developed and more tourist facing than Vashon, but the ferry ride from Seattle is one of the better views on Puget Sound. The two islands make an interesting contrast for a multi day trip.
Mount Rainier National Park (1.5 hours from Tahlequah)
More practical as an overnight than a same day add, but the Tahlequah ferry landing puts you closest to Rainier among the Vashon routes. Highway 7 south from Tacoma gets you to the Nisqually entrance in about 90 minutes. Worth planning a two night trip around.
Planning Your Visit
The best time to visit is May through October. July and August bring the most reliable weather and the biggest crowds, particularly around Strawberry Festival weekend. September is arguably the sweet spot: dry, warm, and far fewer visitors than midsummer. Spring visits can be rewarding if you are after the farms and early market season and do not mind some rain.
A day trip is enough time if you are sticking to Uptown, a beach walk, and lunch. An overnight stay opens up dinner at The Ruby Brink, a sunset at Lisabuela, and a slower morning at Burton. Two nights gives you the full picture including Dockton and Point Robinson.
Getting around the island almost always means a car, especially for Dockton, Point Robinson, and Lisabuela Park. Bikes work well on the north end of the island near Uptown. Foot passengers without bikes will find Uptown walkable but the rest of the island difficult without wheels.
More Vashon Island on EWS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vashon Island known for?
Vashon Island is known for its thriving arts community, organic farms, and laid back island lifestyle just a short ferry ride from Seattle. The island has no traffic lights and no chain restaurants, and its fiercely independent character has attracted artists, musicians, and free thinkers for generations. It is one of the few places in Puget Sound where you can feel genuinely removed from the city without traveling far.
How do you get to Vashon Island?
Vashon Island is accessible only by ferry. Washington State Ferries runs service from Fauntleroy in West Seattle to Vashon’s north end, and from Point Defiance in Tacoma to the south end at Tahlequah. A passenger only ferry also runs seasonally from downtown Seattle. There is no bridge to the island, which is a big part of what keeps it feeling like a world apart.
How long is the ferry ride to Vashon Island?
The ferry crossing from Fauntleroy in West Seattle to Vashon takes about 20 minutes. The Point Defiance to Tahlequah crossing on the south end takes about 15 minutes. Plan ahead for wait times at the terminal, which can add 20 to 40 minutes on busy summer weekends.
What is the Vashon Island bicycle tree?
The bicycle tree is one of Vashon’s most beloved local legends. The story goes that a child left a bike locked to a young tree sometime in the 1950s and never returned for it. Over the decades the tree grew up around the frame and swallowed the bicycle whole. The rusting bike can still be seen embedded in the trunk today and has become a pilgrimage stop for visitors looking for a taste of the island’s famously quirky spirit.
What famous people are from Vashon Island?
Vashon Island has long attracted artists, writers, and musicians. Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell spent part of his childhood on the island. The community is also home to a large concentration of working artists, potters, painters, and craftspeople, which has shaped Vashon’s identity as one of the most creatively vibrant small communities in the Pacific Northwest.
Is Vashon Island worth a day trip from Seattle?
Absolutely. Vashon is one of the best day trips from Seattle, combining a scenic ferry crossing with farm stands, art galleries, excellent coffee, and quiet back roads built for cycling or slow driving. Most visitors can cover the island’s highlights in a day, though many find themselves planning a return trip to stay overnight.