Pets allowed
Not Allowed
Guided tours
No
Backcountry camping
No
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

At just under 20 acres, Dumas Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is a hidden treasure on the Puget Sound. Located on the northern slope of Federal Way, a short and broad gravel path shaded by young bigleaf maples leads down to the Dumas Bay beach and cove overlooking the sound's east passage.

Unlike nearby Dash Point State Park, the beach itself is rarely visited, making it an ideal location to relax in solitude. It is also a great place to catch some of the local flora and fauna. The wetlands and cattails attract red-winged blackbirds and various species of waterfowl, and the sanctuary is home to one of the largest breeding colonies of great blue heron in the Tacoma and Federal Way area. Keep your distance, but visiting between the beginning of February (breeding season) and the end of April (hatching period) will give you the best opportunity to catch a glimpse of these long-legged birds.

Note: Dogs and pets are permitted within the sanctuary, but not on the beach. Campfires are also prohibited on the beach.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Secluded beach on Puget Sound. Bird watching.

Cons

Dogs and other pets not permitted on beach.

Features

Bird watching

Location

Nearby Adventures

Seattle + Tacoma Metro Area, Washington
Seattle + Tacoma Metro Area, Washington
Seattle + Tacoma Metro Area, Washington

Comments

05/02/2021
My 6 year old and I went today. I can't believe it's only 5 minutes from our house! Lovely, peaceful, and a great outing for quiet contemplation and playing on the beach. No dogs or campfires allowed, so of course there were bonfire remains and every other visitor had a dog. Don't be like them.
We plan to be back often.
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