Tails & Trails | Poulsbo Waterfront
The Kitsap Peninsula is an especially pet-friendly place to travel. With loads of dog parks, pet friendly accommodations and parks that welcome furry friends, you’re sure to find an adventure that you and your animal companions will love.
Let’s catch up with Walter & Tori as they explore their favorite spots on the Poulsbo waterfront!
meet walter
Walter is the MOST adorable Corgi! This pile of fluff belongs to Tori - a South Kitsap resident who works in Poulsbo. Due to their multi-county lifestyle, Walter gets to explore the entire Kitsap Peninsula. He enjoys making new friends, playing on the beach, sniffing trails and looking adorable while his best friend enjoys times with friends and family at local wineries, breweries, and pet-friendly cafes in Kitsap. Tori and Walter love exploring downtown Poulsbo, walking along the boardwalk and grabbing a treat at one of the local coffee shops and bakeries on Front Street.
Walter is the friendliest pup and never misses an opportunity to make a new friend or touch another wet nose. Strangers frequently stop to tell him he’s the cutest boy and give him a little head scratch. Walter wags his tail and smiles in appreciation for each and every well-earned compliment…
First things first, bring a leash as State, City & County parks require dogs to be on leashed (exception is off-leash dog parks).
poulsbo waterfront
The Port Orchard waterfront is great for grabbing a coffee or a bite to eat, shopping at the legendary local antique shops and of course strolling the pedestrian pathways. The various paths wind past piers and parks, offering plenty of opportunities to stop and relax. Local bookstores and coffee shops invite visitors to slow down, grab a seat and dig into a good read while taking in the beautiful views of Sinclair Inlet and the mighty Olympic Mountains. Dog walkers will enjoy wandering through the Port Orchard Marina and walking the shoreline-hugging pedestrian path that traces the downtown waterfront.
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Walter and Tori started from the Liberty Bay Waterfront Park and hopped on the Urban Path, a boardwalked trail that takes you out over the beach. The Urban Path is a short, easy walk with a handful of alcoves and benches for admiring the views of the Port of Poulsbo and the Poulsbo Marina. When the boardwalk ends, the walk continues on a paved trail through trees and blooming landscape until you reach a ramp that leads you back to Front Street. There, you can decide to walk back through the nature side of the trail or pop up onto Front Street. They did the latter, continuing their walk, stopping to sniff new friends and the beautiful variety of flowers lining the sidewalk.
Poulsbohemian coffeehouse
19003 Front St NE
The family-friendly Brickhouse 714 Bar and Grill is a Bay Street staple with their menu full of yummy pub food, beautiful bar back and big outdoor area. The outdoor seating is partially covered and comes equipped with fire pits to cozy up to and a small stage where live music is played during the warm weather months. It’s the perfect place to wander into with your pup after an adventure on the Port Orchard waterfront. The food is tasty and affordable and the atmosphere is casual - perfect for parking your puppy and enjoying a burger and pint.
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Walter and Tori end their Poulsbo walkabout with an iced coffee at Poulsbohemian Coffeehouse, the perfect refreshment enjoyed on the outdoor Adirondack chairs, after a glorious walk in the Poulsbo sunshine. Maybe the best dang spot in downtown Poulsbo to enjoy a treat and admire the waterfront views.
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!