Island Center Forest (Vashon DNR)

This is no longer DNR land. It was acquired by King County and as a natural area named Island Center Forest. The parcel is south of Bank Rd. with dozens of miles of singletrack. The parcel is not big, so there is a lot of zigging and zagging, intersections and few TTFs. Muddy areas, sweet rolling slaloms. Woods, and post-logging scotch broom / alder forest. Back when K2 still had manufacturing on the island, these trails were ridden each day at lunch time by K2 dudes.

King County provides some materials on the area: Island Center Forest Map and the King County Parks Site

How to Find It

The best places to park are on 188th Ave SW and by the Cemetery on SW 115th. Warning: The county sheriffs are vigilant, and 25 MPH speed zones are frequently patrolled.

From the North Ferry Dock (Vashon Heights):

• Approximate distance: 5 / 7.5 miles.
• Proceed south on Vashon Hwy SW past the town of Vashon. You may:
• (A)- Turn right onto SW 188th St. There is a large gravel parking lot at the end of 188th.
• (B)- Proceed to SW Cemetery Road and turn right.
• Just past the crest of the hill at the cemetery, turn right onto 115th Ave SW.
• Follow 115h to the small parking lot at the end of the road.

From the South Ferry Dock (Tahlequah):

• Approximate distance: 7.5 / 10 miles.
• Proceed north on Vashon Hwy SW towards the town of Vashon. You may:
  • (A)- At the 2nd 4-way stop, turn left (west) on SW Cemetery rd. Turn right onto 115th Av e SW. Follow 115th to the small parking lot at the end of the road.
  • (B)- Continue on the highway about 1/2 mile and turn left (west) onto SW 188th St. and follow it to the large gravel parking lot.

Typical Conditions

Drains poorly. There are often huge sections underwater for most of winter and spring, stranding sections of trail. It also sees heavy equestrian use so the tread is often soft and rutted. There are couple fun sections that offer a small technical challenge and roll around the small hills on the property.

Local Points of Interest

If you go, stop by and say, "Hi" to Jeff at Vashon Island Bicycles.

• CASA BONITA
  • Great Mex, beer, margaritas(!) nice family rest.
  • Located in town of Vashon (middle of island)
  • (206) 463-6452
  • 17623 100th Ave Sw
  • Vashon, WA 98070

• CAFE LUNA
  • Great coffee, pastries, wi-fi.
  • Located in town of Vashon (middle of island)
  • (206) 463-0777
  • 9924 Sw Bank Rd
  • Vashon, WA 98070

• HOMEGROWN CAFE
  • kinda Hippy-Dippy - food was AWESOME last time I et there
  • Located in town of Vashon (middle of island)
  • (206) 463-6302
  • 17614 Vashon Hwy Sw
  • Vashon, WA 98070

• LA PLAYA
  • 'Nuther Mex, good everything, esp. location
  • Located on the water, at the Northend ferry dock.
  • (206) 567-0020
  • 10824 Vashon Hwy Sw
  • Vashon, WA 98070

• ROCK ISLAND (THE ROCK) PIZZA
  • Great pizza, salads (you gotta try the orange chipotle dressing - they sell it) lots of BEER, new bar
  • Located in town of Vashon (middle of island)
  • (206) 463-6813
  • 23319 Vashon Hwy Sw
  • Vashon, WA 98070

• THE RED BICYCLE
  • On highway, in town. Live music. Decent food and pretty good sushi. Good bar. Fun.

• VASHON HARDWARE STORE
  • Was great last time I ate there.

• BACK BAY INN
  • Was best on island for a while, but has changed hands over and over and over. In Burton, on highway, between Vashon town and southend ferry.

• GUSTO GIRLS
  • On highway, in town. @nd best food on the island.

• LA BOUCHERIE
  • Best food on the island, but spendy. One block west of highway between Bank Rd. and 178th.

• GREEN GINGER
  • On Bank Rd 1/2 block east of highway. So so Chinese food. Local knowledge required to order the good stuff.

• SPICE ISLAND
  •   Indian Food rises from the ashes of failed Indian place. Unknown quality at this writing.

Advocacy & Stewardship

King County Parks now oversees this section. There is a lot of private property encroaching the edges and so access has become limited. Please review the KC map for where to enter.

Turn by Turn

See the King County Parks PDF Map.