When we were looking for a new place to call home, we had a few must-haves: a strong sense of community, easy access to nature, and a place where we could enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle. What we didn’t expect was to find all of that—and more—in DuPont, WA.
At first, we just came here for the trails, making the drive out to explore new walking paths with our dog. But with every visit, we fell more in love with the town itself. The walkable streets, friendly neighbors, and the way the whole community comes together for holidays and events—it felt like home before we even moved in.
Now that we’ve been here for a while, I can confidently say that DuPont is an amazing place to live. There’s a lot to love, but here are my top five favorite things about this town.
1. DuPont is a Walkable Haven: Best Trails & Sidewalks
We actually discovered DuPont because of its incredible trail system. Back when we lived in Lakewood, we were always on the hunt for new places to take our dog on long walks. That’s how we stumbled across DuPont—driving out here just to explore its trails. The more we visited, the more we fell in love with the town.
Walking has always been a big part of our daily routine, but where we used to live, there weren’t even sidewalks. If we wanted to go for a walk, we had to get in the car first. Moving to DuPont completely changed that. Now, we can step outside and start walking immediately—whether it’s a quick stroll to grab coffee, a family walk before dinner, or a weekend hike. When our son started biking, we loved knowing he could ride safely on the sidewalks and easily visit neighbors or head to the park.
Our Favorite Trails in DuPont
DuPont has over 12 miles of scenic trails, plus plenty of sidewalks and bike lanes. Here are a couple of our favorites:
- Sequalitchew Creek Trail – A 3-mile round-trip walk through a peaceful forest that leads to a stunning beach on the Puget Sound.
- DuPont Loop – A 2.5-mile paved trail, perfect for biking, jogging, or a relaxed evening walk.
Whether you’re looking for a short, easy walk or a longer adventure, there’s a trail for everyone.
Want to explore more? Check out the full trail system here: DuPont Trail Maps.
For our family, these trails are more than just a way to get outside—they’re part of our everyday life. They’re how we found DuPont in the first place, and they’re still one of the biggest reasons we love living here.
2. Holiday Celebrations That Feel Like a Hallmark Movie
If you love the holiday season, DuPont is the place to be. The way this town comes together to celebrate makes it feel like a scene from a classic holiday movie. Halloween, Christmas, and the Fourth of July are hands down the biggest celebrations, and they’re something we look forward to every year.
Halloween in DuPont 🎃
- Trick-or-treating is next level here, and it just so happens to be my son’s favorite holiday. Now that he’s old enough to go trick-or-treating, he looks forward to it all year!
- The downtown trick-or-treating event is a must for families.
- And if you live in DuPont, you know about that one house on Hoffman Hill Blvd that transforms for every holiday. We love stopping by in the weeks leading up to Halloween and Christmas to see the new decorations they’ve added—our son loves it!
Christmas Feels Magical Here 🎄
- The city hosts an annual tree-lighting ceremony.
- Many homes put up dazzling light displays that make evening walks feel extra magical.
- There are festive markets, community events, and even Santa sightings.
Fourth of July: One of the Biggest Events of the Year 🇺🇸
- A full parade, a celebration at Clocktower Park with music, food and games for kids, and an incredible fireworks show to wrap up the night.
- People even set up their chairs along McNeil Street early in the morning to claim the best viewing spots for the fireworks. The whole town comes together, and it’s one of those days where you’re just grateful to be part of this community.
Want to see what’s coming up next? Check out the City of DuPont’s Events Calendar for details on upcoming celebrations!!
3. Parks & Playgrounds for Everybody
One of the first things we noticed when we moved to DuPont? There are parks everywhere. No matter where you live, you’re never far from an open green space where kids can play, families can gather, and everyone can just enjoy the outdoors.
Our Favorite Parks in DuPont
- Clocktower Park – The heart of the community, with grassy fields, a playground, and tons of space for events and picnics.
- Bell Hill Park – Another family favorite because of the big slides (my son and I love racing down them!), the playground, and all the nearby trails we like to explore after playing.
- PowderWorks Park – If you have a dog, there’s a small dog park right next to the playground. It’s perfect for multitasking—either my wife or I will take the dog while the other stays with our son at the playground, and we can still chat across the fence. We’ve also met some of the nicest dog owners here, which makes it even more enjoyable.
Want to see the full list? Check out all the parks in DuPont here!
4. Summer Festivals & Community Events
Summers in DuPont are filled with fun, family-friendly events that bring the whole community together.
Our Favorite Summer Events in DuPont
- DuPont Farmers Market – A seasonal favorite featuring local vendors, fresh produce, handmade crafts, and delicious food. It takes place at Clocktower Park, making it the perfect spot to grab a bite and enjoy the atmosphere.
- Concerts in the Park – A free summer music series at Clocktower Park, perfect for relaxing evenings with live music.After the market, many families stick around for Concerts in the Park, a free summer music series also held at Clocktower Park. These concerts showcase a variety of local musicians, creating a lively, welcoming environment for all ages.
- Friday Night Flicks – Outdoor movie nights where families bring blankets & chairs to watch movies under the stars.
We love heading to the Farmers Market, grabbing food, and staying for the concert afterward. Our son plays at the playground while we relax and listen to the music—it’s the perfect way to spend a summer evening.
5. A Real Sense of Community
More than anything, what makes DuPont special is the people.
This town has a small-town feel where you actually know your neighbors—and not just in a wave hello kind of way. People here look out for each other, get together often (especially in summer, since in winter it sometimes feels like everyone hibernates! 😂), and genuinely care about the community.
Our Street is Like a Big Family
We’re lucky to live on a dead-end street with little traffic, which makes it easy to have block parties with our neighbors. And if you ever need help with something—whether it’s borrowing a tool or getting a local recommendation—there’s always someone willing to lend a hand.
A Military-Friendly Town with Built-In Support
As a military-friendly town, there’s a deep sense of support for service members and their families. Many people here have experienced PCS moves and understand the challenges of relocating, so there’s a built-in network of people who can relate and offer guidance.
Living in a place where people truly connect and look out for each other is something we don’t take for granted. It’s what turns a nice house into a real home.
Why I Love Calling DuPont Home
Moving to DuPont was one of the best decisions we’ve made. From the beautiful trails that first drew us here to the strong sense of community that keeps us here, this town has given us so much more than just a place to live—it’s given us a place where we feel truly at home.
Thinking about moving to DuPont? Whether you’re PCSing to JBLM or just looking for a great community, I’d love to help you get to know the area. Check out my Ultimate Guide to Living in DuPont or send me a message—I’m happy to answer any questions!
Already live here? What’s your favorite thing about DuPont? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear!
