Psst! Want to know a secret? Tucked into the heart of the Kitsap Peninsula’s commercial hub, the Clear Creek Trail in Silverdale is a family- and pet-friendly oasis that’s close to hotels, shopping, restaurants and craft breweries, but feels like it’s a world away.

Picnic areas abound

Perfect for walking, running or biking, most of the seven+ miles of paths are wide and level, with ample room for strollers and wagons. Be sure to pack a picnic, because there are plenty of places to stop and relax along the way. It’s also a good idea to download a map because there are a number of loops and offshoots from the main trail.

Pick a section to explore for an hour or spend a half-day following the trail the length of Silverdale and visit all three parks along the way. Here’s an insider’s guide to our favorite spots:

  • Silverdale Rotary Gateway Park, 11601 Silverdale Way NW – This is one of the easiest places to access the trail. There is ample parking, as well as a skate park, dog park and restrooms. Follow the trail in either direction from the parking lot to access a series of loop trails that run along the creek, through wetlands and past a historic barn. Parts of this section of the trail were recently improved as part of floodplain restoration project. Look for signs that explain how that makes life easier for salmon. More info here.

    Salmon habitat

  • Ridgetop ascent – Mountain bikers will enjoy the short, steep climb to Ridgetop boulevard via a section of trail across Silverdale Way from Gateway Park. It’s wide but has loose gravel and is rutted in some areas. Stick it out and you’ll be rewarded with a view of Dyes Inlet and the Olympic Mountains. The other section of the trail that’s well-suited for adventurers is near Harrison Medical Center – Silverdale.
  • Follow the creek – Behind the businesses on the east side of Silverdale Way, the trail runs beside Clear Creek. It’s fun to wander the shady corridor all the way from All Star Lanes to the Clear Creek Interpretive Center at Bucklin Hill Road. The viewing platform at the interpretive center gives you a great view of the estuary where the creek meets Dyes Inlet and is a perfect spot to look for birds and waterfowl. The Bucklin Hill bridge was recently replaced and provides easy access to Old Mill Park across the street. Look for Lisa Stirrett’s gorgeous glass sculpture of salmon and their eggs at the east end of the bridge.
  • Old Mill Park, 2901 Bucklin Hill Road – This tiny park provides stellar views of Dyes

    Bucklin Hill sculpture

    Inlet, as well as picnic tables, parking and restrooms. A highlight is the German-made Wehrhahn Saw. Once used to mill logs, the rusty remnant now looks like a piece of public art. Check out the interpretive sign for a glimpse into the area’s logging past. Click for more info.

  • Silverdale Waterfront Park, 3337 NW Byron St. – Follow the waterfront trail from Old Mill Park past the Best Western Plus Silverdale Beach Hotel, along the sidewalks on Bayshore Drive and Washington Avenue in Old Town Silverdale to the park. Along the way, grab a cookie or box lunch at Monica’s Waterfront Bakery & Café. The park offers a play structure, beach access, picnic areas, restrooms, a gazebo, parking and a public pier. From June to August, Olympic Outdoor Center operates a stand where you can buy snacks and rent kayaks and paddleboards. More park info here.

Dyes Inlet view

In addition to the Silverdale Beach Hotel, the trail is also close to Oxford Suites Silverdale  and Oxford Inn Silverdale, as well as the Kitsap Mall, The Trails destination shopping center and myriad restaurants, including Silver City Brewery’s flagship restaurant and Cash Brewing. With so much to do, Silverdale is the perfect home base for your next Kitsap Peninsula getaway. Plan your trip now at VisitKitsap.com.