Tails & Trails: Illahee Preserve & El Balcon
The Kitsap Peninsula is an especially pet-friendly place to travel. With loads of dog parks, pet friendly accommodations and parks that welcome well behaved dogs & cats, you’re sure to find an adventure that you and your animal companions will love.
Let’s catch up with Autumn and her dog-mom Hannah as they explore some of their favorite places in Bremerton to get active and grab a bite to eat!
meet autumn
Autumn is a super sweet German Shepherd Dachshund mix who lives on the Hood Canal with her moms Hannah and Kara.
Autumn is a rescue dog that came to Hannah and Kara from the Kitsap Humane Society. Autumn is super active with lots of energy and she absolutely adores children, snuggles, belly rubs, and frolicking outside on her favorite trails. Autumn has lots of cat friends and loves playing with Hannah and Kara’s many nieces and nephews.
First things first, bring a leash as State, City & County parks require dogs to be on leashed (exception is off-leash dog parks).
The trail:
Illahee Preserve
Tucked away on the shoreline of East Bremerton, just a few minutes away from Manette and downtown Bremerton is Illahee Preserve, adjacent to Rolling Hills Golf Course and Illahee State Park - 75 glorious acres of hiking, camping, & beach combing.
Hannah loves to take Autumn to the dog friendly trails where she can stop and smell all the pine needles and leaves as they stroll the peaceful trails through the evergreen forest.
Please note that pets are not permitted in designated swim areas of the state park and must be cleaned up after. Illahee Preserve is a county park and requires no parking fee. However, Illahee State Park does require a Discovery Pass.
The state 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 for first-come, first-served.
Parking and restrooms are available at the boat launch and pier day use area. There is an automated pay station located in this area.
the eats: El Balcon
Those that know know that El Balcon is one of downtown Bremerton’s best kept secrets. This bustling, hole-in-the-wall counter service restaurant offers yummy pupusas, tacos burritos & other Mexican & Salvadoran fare. Staff is super friendly, super fast, and the food is super delicious.
Hannah and Autumn love El Balcon for a post-trail snack for the quick counter service and the availability of outdoor seating right on Pacific Ave. It’s an easy stop with your pup, surrounded by loads of other amazing downtown Bremerton businesses waiting to be explored.
Plan your pet friendly adventure!
Use this map to plan your pet friendly visit to Kitsap. (Click on a point to open up your default map app on mobile).
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 parks that we recommend.
Bandix Dog Park
A 30-acre park on Bandix Road off the Burley-Ollala 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 a wooded 2.35 acre, forest glade inside Strawberry Hill Park has been set aside for off-leash fun.
Frank Raab Park
A 21-acre Poulsbo park featuring walking trails & 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.
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 the Puget Sound to Hood Canal in an easy 8-mile day hike.
Norwegian Point County Park
Norwegian Point County Park is a waterfront park in Hansville with a long sandy beach and huge views of Puget Sound & 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.
North Kitsap Heritage Park
North Kitsap Heritage Park boasts 10+ miles of old logging roads and trails perfect for kids, dogs, and horses. 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 was one of Kitsap’s most loved and photogenic parks. Driftwood-strewn sandy beaches and beautiful views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier make this pet friendly park a must-visit.
Battle Point Park
Battle Point Park is a former Bainbridge Island naval radio station with an easy 1.5 mile walking trails for a relaxing stroll with your dog. Bonus points for the children’s play areas, a separate horse trail and peaceful ponds good for bird watching.
Green Mountain state forest
Green Mountain State Forest has 16+ miles of hiking trails perfect for an adventure with your four-legged friend, horseback riding & mountain biking. Green Mountainis the second highest peak on the Kitsap Peninsula and commands massive views of the Seattle skyline, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and Mt. Rainier!
Ueland Tree Farm & dickerson falls
This popular privately owned tree farm and trail system (called Lebers Lane Trailhead) are open to the public for non-motorized 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 jaunt to a picturesque waterfall.
Illahee State Park
Illahee State Park is an 86-acre, marine camping park with beach access in Bremerton. The park features a magnificent stand of old-growth trees and the gravelly beach is perfect for combing for treasures. Discovery Pass required!
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 the Hood Canal boasts unparalleled views of the looming Olympic Mountain range.
Banner Forest
Banner Forest is nestled deep int he rural wilds of South Kitsap. The 29-miles of trails and a 2-mile dirt access road loop wind their way through an enchanted evergreen forest. The two mile road offers a relatively easy walks for all ages. The trail system is more rustic and is very popular with mountain bikers seeking single track adventure.
Clear Creek Trail
The 8 mile long (and growing!) Clear Creek Trail is the best urban trail system on the Kitsap Peninsula. The Clear Creek Trails wend 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.
👉 View the Map here.
The Kitsap Peninsula is a very pet friendly place to travel, adventure and explore. Here’s our list of 20 dog friendly trails and off-leash parks to have fun with your pup!