Theler Wetlands─Enjoy the sounds and smells of spring at Hood Canal

Quick Facts:

Location: Kitsap Peninsula

Land Agency: City of Belfair, Washington

Distance: 3.0 miles of trails

Elevation Gain: 40 feet

Recommended Resource: Urban Trails Kitsap

Notes: Trail open dawn to dusk. Dogs are prohibited.

Access: From Bremerton head west on SR 3 to Belfair. Proceed one mile beyond the junction with SR 300 to the Mary E. Theler Community Center and trailhead.

Good to Know: Kid-friendly, ADA accessible, exceptional bird-watching, snow-free winter hiking

Among the many legacies that Sam and Mary Theler left to the town of Belfair was land for a Masonic Lodge, church, and school. Of the 70 acres that were left to the North Mason School District arose the Mary E. Theler Wetlands Nature Preserve. Serving an educational role for area school children, the wetlands are open to folks of all ages and make for an excellent introduction to estuary ecology. The preserve has since been expanded to 139 acres and contains five distinct trails. Washington Department Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) own several hundred acres of abutting land helping to protect this important ecosystem.

Start your visit by on the Rock Wall Trail passing under the welcome arch and reaching the Wetlands Project Center. Mosey around the native plant demonstration garden—a great way to learn some of the many plants growing in the region. There are lots of artistic displays too to admire. From the center several trails radiate allowing for out-and-back excursions and a few loops as well.

 The South Tidal Marsh Trail utilizes a long boardwalk to an observation deck at the edge of Hood Canal. Bird watching from this post is excellent, especially of the myriad of swallows that nest along the boardwalk. Views of southern Olympic Mountain peaks are good from here as well. The Alder Creek Swamp Trail loops back to the nature center after traversing wetlands on a boardwalk.

The River Estuary Trail travels along an old dike across open wetlands. Through a tunnel of shrubs and along active farmland the trail heads for the mouth of the Union River. At its second sharp turn it comes to a junction with a trail leading right across WDFW property to eventually meet up again with the River Estuary Trail.

The main trail bends left and soon comes to a long bridge, one of several new breaches allowing for restoration of parts of the delta that were diked and farmed in the past. Soon after the bridge, the trail reaches the Union River where it now follows this nutrient rich waterway upstream. Come to the other end of the new trail and then shortly afterward reach a small picnic area and restroom. At the trail’s terminus are two short spurs. The one left leads to a cedar grove at the river’s edge for prime waterfowl and salmon spawning viewing.

For more details on this destination and many others in the area, pick up a copy of my best-selling Urban Trails Kitsap book (Mountaineers Books)

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2 Comments

  1. Marie on March 30, 2022 at 8:22 pm

    Dogs are NOT allowed per signs from WA State Dept Fish and Wildlife.

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