Story submitted by Kirsten
Kitsap County is home to some amazing hikes and mountain views. Need tips or inspiration to get out this winter? Click here. I’ve dragged my poor kids on some hikes way beyond their skill level, but by getting out and exploring we were able to find some favorites:
Fish Park
Fish Park is a fantastic park for tiny legs. The trails are short and paved, making it accessible for strollers. There is one set of stairs but they are easily avoidable. There are many places to watch wild life and salmon during the salmon run. There is a wooden play structure close to the main entrance of the park off Lindvig Way.
Special note – the wooden walkways are incredibly slippery when it rains. Its very important to keep to the black top that is nailed to the wood. My daughter slipped off and over the side recently. For very small children it would be best to avoid this park in the rain or stick to the gravel trails. There is no restroom in Fish Park. The restroom across the street at Nelson Park is closed until further notice due to COVID. At the time of this writing part of the trails are washed out due to flooding. The majority of the flooding is close to the Bond road entrance. Strollers can still be used its just not as easy as normal. The trail is being repaired.
Address: 288 NW Lindvig Way, Poulsbo WA 98370
Length: 0.9 miles (Though you can walk in circles along the different trails to make it longer or shorter)
Parking: There is a dirt parking lot off NW Lindvig Way with plenty of parking. There is also a brand new paved parking lot off of Bond Road.
Stroller-Friendly: Yes. This park is wonderful for strollers. Trails are gravel or raised wooden walkways. There is one set of stairs but these are easily avoidable.
Clear Creek Trail
Clear Creek Trail is an urban hiking trail located on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula, almost eight miles from Silverdale Waterfront Park. The trail follows the Clear Creek as it meanders through riparian areas, wetlands, and remnant forests. This urban trail is in the heart of Kitsap County’s largest retail center, so trailheads and available parking are, for the most part, in business parking lots. There are restrooms outside the dog park.
Address: 9641 Levin Road, Silverdale, WA 98383
Length: 3.7 miles
Parking: Located at Silverdale Waterfront Park, Old Mill Park, and at the Dog/Skate Park.
Stroller-Friendly: Yes! The paved trails are great for strollers. This is our go to place for biking!
Point No Point Park & Lighthouse
Point No Point Park occupies three acres and a 1.5 mile hiking trail along the shoreline. We love to come here for the views of the water, the lighthouse and the mountains. After our hike we enjoy building houses with driftwood. Keep an eye out for seals and shorebirds in the water, even whales occasionally! Portable toliets are available outside the main restrooms, due to COVID-19 safety. Fun fact: one half of the lighthouse keeper’s quarters is available for vacation rental.
Address: 9009 NE Point No Point Rd, Hanesville WA 98340
Length: 1.5 miles
Parking: Paved parking lot. It can get busy on nice days as this is the parking lot for the beach as well.
Stroller-Friendly: The large set of stairs in the middle of the hike makes this not stroller-friendly.
Battle Point Trail, Battle Point Park
My kids refuse to call Battle Point Park a “hike” since it isn’t through the woods, but it is an awesome place to bring their bikes and scooters and run around. There is a small playground by the soccer fields as well as a disc golf course, roller hockey rink, planetarium, rock wall and many other amenities. Outhouses are available during COVID, as the main restrooms are closed for the duration of the pandemic.
Address: 11299 Arrow Point Dr NE, Bainbridge Island WA 98110
Length: 1.6 miles
Parking: Several paved parking lots throughout the park.
Stroller-Friendly: Another great place to bring bikes this area is completely accessible to strollers