Island Lake County Park
The 4,000-acre Island Lake Recreation Area offers mountain biking, paddling, hiking, and swimming, along with a modern shooting range. The park is a favorite of locals and visitors alike.
Get up close and personal with your underwater neighbors at the SEA Discovery Center. This family-friendly adventure is a short drive from your new home. Read on for some ideas.
The History
When the county decided to rezone Island Lake, two women took it upon themselves to save this beautiful little lake. They formed a “Save Island Lake” campaign, wrote letters, and attended every county commissioner meeting when the topic was on the agenda. They incurred the ire and sometimes rudeness of the commissioners, but in the end, they saved Island Lake. It was rezoned and developed into a beautiful park that included the old Bible camp.
In the pre-World War II era, residents of Poulsbo made their living by logging or farming or by fishing. Poulsbo’s isolation kept its population under 1,000 until World War II when employment at the Puget Sound Naval Station and at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport boosted growth.
This park is the main waterfront access to Liberty Bay and it is a favorite spot for people to walk, enjoy the scenery, and watch wildlife. It includes a boardwalk, a marina, and the Poulsbo Maritime Museum.
The Park
The electric outboard eased the covered barge away from a dock on Island Lake. It slid down a channel between lily pads and the shore. Trout swam nearby. “We’re going on a little adventure,” the real estate broker said as the boat departed for Clark Island.
The island belonged to Patricia and William Clark, who bought it in 1966. Their home was a quiet hideaway. They grew vegetables and fruit. They welcomed unknowing trespassers, even when they knew the island was private. They ran a ferry to bring supplies and people to the island.
The property at 13126 Lake Shore Drive NW in Poulsbo is a homestead for sale. This single-family residence has 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. It was last listed for $600K. It has been on the market for a while. Redfin estimates that market competition for this home is moderate. Other similar homes nearby have sold for around the list price. The area is popular with retirees and families alike. Visit this site!
The Trails
The park has many paved and unpaved trails for walking, running, biking, or horseback riding. There are also several picnic areas, a community building, lake access, a swimming area, a fishing pier, and parking lots.
The Island Lake Park area was saved by the tireless efforts of two women who fought to preserve it from massive development. They wrote letters, talked to people, and showed up at every county commissioner meeting where rezoning was on the agenda. They incurred the ire and rudeness of some commissioners, but they prevailed and Island Lake Park remains a beautiful destination for families and children.
A 66-acre county park with a walkable saltwater beach. The beach has views of Colvos Passage and Vashon Island. It’s a favorite place for off-leash dog walks. The park has a trail that skirts the shoreline and leads to a viewing platform funded by the Kitsap Audubon Society. It’s a great spot to watch Ospreys, Grebes, and Scoters during the winter.
The Beach
The park’s beach is one of the most popular features of Island Lake. It has a lifeguard tower, a swimming area, and a fishing pier. There is also a large playground, picnic areas, a ball field, a basketball court, an off-leash dog area, community building, and restrooms.
A network of looping and connecting trails weaves through the forest at the north end of Island Lake. Kayakers launch their hand-carried craft from the beach at the west end of the lake and also from a public boat launch on the south side.
The lake is stocked in the spring with catchable-size trout and is open year-round. Fishing is allowed on the lake by canoe, kayak, and small non-motorized boats (electric trolling motors are allowed). Park restrooms are closed from October 1 through March 31. Check our next area of interest here.
Driving directions from Cornerstone Cleaning to Island Lake County Park
Driving directions from Island Lake County Park to the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum