Tails and Trails on the Kitsap Peninsula

The Kitsap Peninsula is an especially pet-friendly place to visit and explore. With loads of dog parks, pet-friendly accommodations, trails and parks that welcome well-behaved dogs and cats, locals and visitors alike are sure to find an adventure that they and their animal companions will love.

From the sandy, driftwood-strewn beach of Point No Point Lighthouse Park overlooking Puget Sound, to the evergreen forest-clad flanks of Green Mountain, here are some of the hikes, walks and parks perfect for an adventure with your furry friend.

Pet- Friendly Hikes

• Hansville Greenway Wildlife Corridor — At the very northernmost end of Kitsap is the peaceful Hansville Greenway Wildlife Corridor that traverses three county parks. This network of trails takes you and your furry friend from Puget Sound to Hood Canal in an easy, 8-mile day hike.
• Norwegian Point County Park — This easily accessible waterfront park in the middle of Hansville features a long, sandy beach and huge views of Puget Sound and Whidbey Island. It’s a good place to park (grab a sandwich or snack at the Hansgrille Grocery) to begin the Hansville Greenway Wildlife Corridor.

  

• Buck Lake County Park — Buck Lake County Park is 20 acres of pet-friendly peaceful trails, beach access, a swimming area, restrooms and perfect picnic spots. The tranquil lake makes for a serene backdrop for a nice walk.
• North Kitsap Heritage Park — More than 10 miles of old logging roads and trails perfect for kids, dogs and horses make North Kitsap Heritage Park a favorite haunt for dog walkers. The many loops through second-growth forests and over boardwalks have signposts at major intersections and are color coded.
• Point No Point Lighthouse Park — The Point No Point Lighthouse Park is one of Kitsap’s most loved and photogenic parks. Driftwood lines the long stretch of sandy beach, which boasts beautiful views of Mount Baker and Mount Rainier, making this pet-friendly park a must-visit.
• Battle Point Park — This former Bainbridge Island naval radio station features an easy, 1.5-mile walking trail for a relaxing stroll with your dog. Bonus points for the children’s play areas, a separate horse trail and peaceful ponds great for bird watching.
• Green Mountain State Forest — Green Mountain State Forest has more than 16 glorious miles of hiking trails perfect for an adventure with your four-legged friend, horseback riding and mountain biking. Green Mountain is the second-highest peak on the Kitsap Peninsula and commands massive views of the Seattle skyline, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier.

  

• Ueland Tree Farm and Dickerson Falls — This popular, privately owned tree farm and trail system (called Lebers Lane Trailhead) are open to the public for nonmotorized recreation and is a hiking, biking and nature viewing favorite among locals. The 2,300-acre tree farm is especially loved as a destination for dog walkers. Dickerson Falls is perhaps the most popular hike, a 1.75-mile jaunt to a picturesque waterfall.
• Clear Creek Trails — The 8-mile-long (and growing) Clear Creek Trail system is the best urban trail system on the Kitsap Peninsula. Wending through both public and private lands in the middle of a highly developed Silverdale urban area, the trails follow the salmon-bearing creek and wetlands with observation decks and benches along the way.
• Scenic Beach State Park — ADA-compliant trails perfect for an easy stroll make Seabeck’s Scenic Beach State Park especially welcoming. The gorgeous park on the shores of Hood Canal boasts unparalleled views of the looming Olympic Mountain range.
• Illahee State Park — Tucked away on the shoreline of East Bremerton, just a few minutes away from Manette and downtown Bremerton, is Illahee Preserve — 75-plus acres of hiking, camping and beach combing. The park provides three year-round, reservable, covered picnic shelters with electricity. Additionally, there is one small, covered picnic shelter and 90 unsheltered picnic sites with barbecue braziers nearby that are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Banner Forest — Banner Forest is nestled deep in the rural wilds of South Kitsap. The 29 miles of trails and the 2-mile dirt-access road loop wind through an enchanted evergreen forest. The 2-mile road offers a relatively easy walk for all ages. The trail system is more rustic and is very popular with mountain bikers seeking single-track adventure.

Off-Leash Dog Parks in Kitsap

The Kitsap Peninsula is home to many off-leash dog parks where your pups can exercise and play in a safe environment. Here’s a list of off-leash environments that are wonderful for spending time with your pet.

• Bandix Dog Park — A 30-acre park on Bandix Road off Burley-Olalla Road near Highway 16. Bandix Dog Park has a variety of wooded trails and open clearings for four-legged play.
• Howe Farm Off-Leash Dog Park — Located on Long Lake Road in Port Orchard, Howe Farm also features scenic trails on a historic farm property.
• McCormick Village Park — Two fenced dog park areas make this Port Orchard park a furry favorite.
• Eagledale Park — A smallish, 1-acre, off-leash area is located at the top of the park on Bainbridge Island.
• Strawberry Hill Dog Park — Located on Bainbridge Island, this wooded, 2.35-acre forest glade inside Strawberry Hill Park has been set aside for off-leash fun.
• Frank Raab Park — This 21-acre Poulsbo park features walking trails and an off-leash dog area.
• Bremerton Bark Park — The name says it all. This puppy-preferred park is located within Pendergast Regional Park in Bremerton.
• Silverdale Dog Park — Have some fun and get some exercise with your dog in Central Kitsap.