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Kitsap County Takes Ownership of Eglon Forest

The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners has proudly accepted the transfer of 705.8 acres from the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Following several months of work by the Kitsap County Board of County Commissioners and the DNR transfer of the land was completed January 17, 2025.

Click Here to view a map of Elgon Forest.

The transfer of the property caps off several years of discussion between County commissioners and the Washington Department of Natural Resources to preserve the Eglon forest because of the property's vital fish and wildlife habitat and for recreational use.

"We are thrilled to add this sizable parcel to our portfolio of conservation lands in north Kitsap County," said Kitsap County Commissioner Christine Rolfes. "Its trails are already well-loved, the forest is beautiful, and the people of the area will be thoughtful, long-term stewards."

DNR had ranked the Eglon forest as a top priority for transfer because of its significant ecological value and limited revenue potential. The parcel contains wetlands, 130-year-old landmark trees, unstable slopes, and a salmon-bearing stream. It also contains a user-built recreation and commuter trail, and the stream is popular with anglers.

With the transfer of the property completed, the county's park and open space inventory will increase to approximately 11,400 acres. With the acquisition of the land, the county parks department will begin its management plan for the park which includes adding signage, incorporate the park into the department's forest restoration planning, and expanding the department's relationship with Kingston Parks, Trails, and Open Space, a sub-committee of the Kingston Community Advisory Council. Future efforts for the new park include Public Outreach, natural resource condition assessments, and developing more public access and recreation opportunities.  

"Kitsap County Parks is excited about the open space preservation and natural resource and wildlife habitat protection that this transfer will achieve," said parks director Alex Wisniewski.

Why Eglon Forest Matters:
- Home to vital fish and wildlife habitat
- Features wetlands, salmon-bearing streams, and 130-year-old landmark trees
- Includes trails

Friendly Reminders for Visitors:
- Parking is limited—please plan accordingly and be mindful of our neighbors
- No hunting allowed
- No motorized vehicles permitted

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Point No Point Park 

Parking

The main parking lot at Point No Point Park remains closed due to the significant damage caused by the past winter storms. However, we have good news to share.

The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) parking lot located on Point No Point Road is open for the summer season. In addition to the normal use the parking lot provides and until Point No Point Park is open again to vehicular access, the WDFW parking lot may also serve as a location from which visitors may park and walk to Point No Point Park. A Discover Pass will be required to park in the WDFW parking lot. Passes can be purchased online and in person. For more information, please visit https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/parking.

We remind visitors about the following:

The main parking lot at Point No Point Park is closed. However, the park is open to pedestrian traffic. Please walk to the park by following the road indicated on the map.

Beach and tidelands on both sides of the WDFW access area are privately owned respect the privacy and property of adjoining property owners.

No stopping or loitering on private tidelands for any reason.

Exercise caution as vehicles may be entering/leaving the area.

For ADA parking reservation and access, please contact the United States Lighthouse Society at (415) 362-7255.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PARKING MAP

Project Update - April 2, 2024

We are excited to provide you with an update on the Point No Point Park beach and shoreline repair project, which aims to repair the damages caused during the 2022/2023 Winter season. We want to share these updates with you as they provide valuable information about the project and the steps we are taking to repair and fully open the park to visitors.

Phase 1: Repairs - COMPLETED
We are happy to announce that Phase 1 of the repair project that included importing sand and rock materials to the north beach to bring the elevations back to pre-storm levels is complete.  

Phase 2: Improvements
Phase 2 of the repair work represents a larger project that is intended to improve the beach and shoreline beyond current and pre-storm conditions.  Phase 2 will add additional material to increase the beach elevation further, plant native vegetation to provide increased soil stability, and rebuild the rock revetment wall in front of the lighthouse.  This work is not yet permitted but targeted to take place in 2025 once permits have been approved.  For the Phase 2 work, we are continuing to collaborate closely with the regulatory agencies responsible for permitting work within the shoreline environment; this includes Kitsap County's Department of Community Development, the State of Washington's Department of Ecology, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the US Coast Guard and US Army Corps of Engineers, and the local Tribes. Initial design concepts for Phase 2 of the project have been reviewed and supported by these agencies, and permitting from these agencies is in process.

Limited Park Access
Until Phase 2 is complete, the super-sack sandbag wall will remain in place to provide enhanced protection from storms and high tidal fluctuations on the north beach.  However, because this reduces the ingress/egress road to the Point No Point parking lot to a width that cannot accommodate two vehicles passing each other and creates emergency vehicle access issues, the entrance road and parking lot will remain closed to the public until the super-sack sandbag wall has been removed.  

The WDFW parking lot is currently open with additional parking in the small overflow lot outside of the WDFW parking lot (880ft..0.15mi. via paved road to park entrance) and at the trailhead on Thors Road (2,500ft./0.50mi. via dirt trail to beach stairs).

When visiting the park, we remind visitors about the following:

We encourage you to contact Kitsap County Parks Staff if you have any questions or would like further information about the project and the ongoing work. We appreciate your interest and support in the repair work at Point No Point Park.

For updates on this project, please visit: https://www.kitsapgov.com/parks/Pages/PointNoPointPark.aspx

For questions or more information, please email Parks@Kitsap.gov.

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Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park

Stottlemeyer Trailhead:

We are thrilled to announce a significant enhancement for all nature lovers and adventure seekers visiting Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park. We proudly introduce the Stottlemeyer Trailhead—a perfect gateway to your next outdoor escapade!

Ample Parking Space:

Spanning across a generous 1.20 acres, the Stottlemeyer Trailhead offers a spacious and convenient parking solution for all our visitors. Featuring 25 standard stalls, ADA-accessible spaces, and five pull-through spaces, we ensure everyone can embark on their forest journey comfortably and efficiently.

Equestrian Trailer-Friendly Access:

For those traveling with more extensive equipment, our five pull-through stalls are designed explicitly for equestrian trailers, providing a hassle-free experience for horseback riders.

Gateway to Adventure:

As you step out of your vehicle, you'll be greeted by the beauty of Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park. The Stottlemeyer Trailhead serves as the perfect starting point for numerous hiking trails and nature paths, inviting you to explore the region's diverse flora and fauna.

Whether you're a seasoned hiker, a family looking for a day of outdoor fun, or someone seeking a peaceful escape into nature, the Stottlemeyer Trailhead welcomes you to embark on your next unforgettable journey. Discover the wonders of Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park with improved convenience, and access at the forefront of your experience.

Special Thanks:

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all involved in making this project a reality, especially the Washington Trails Association (WTA) for connecting this new trailhead to the vast trail network in the park. Your dedication and hard work have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. See you at the trailhead!