Discover 17 Thrilling Things to do in Port Orchard Washington Now in The Great Outdoors
This post is sponsored by Tri Pointe Homes.
Is adventure calling your name in the Puget Sound? If so, Port Orchard is an emerging community that you must explore! To help you see all the can’t-miss places, here is my guide on things to do in Port Orchard Washington.
Post Summary: Things to do in Port Orchard
Ultimate Guide to the Best Things to do in Port Orchard Washington
Unless you’ve grown up in Washington, you’ve likely never heard of the hidden gem that is Port Orchard.
Located on the stunning Puget Sound, it’s a city that provides the best of both worlds.
What do I mean? First, it’s close enough to large cities like Seattle and Tacoma to be accessible for commuters and day trippers.
For example, Kitsap Transit’s Fast Ferry takes passengers from Bremerton to downtown Seattle in only 30 minutes. That’s way faster than driving, plus you get iconic water views while sitting back and relaxing.
Plus, there’s plenty of shopping, dining, and recreation opportunities within Port Orchard itself.
So, you really have everything you need.
Yet, its abundance of forests, natural spaces, and parks give it a much more calming, comfortable feel and a slower pace of life compared to other urban areas.
More and more people seem to be discovering Port Orchard every year. In fact, the population is on an upward trend!
So whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or looking for a new place to call home, check out these adventurous things to do in Port Orchard Washington. Bonus: Many of these are free!
Paddle Your Heart Out in Sinclair Inlet at Sunset
Imagine this: It’s a sunny summer day. Mid 70s-80s. You know, the type of day that us Washingtonians look forward to all year long!
The waters of the Port Orchard waterfront near Bay Street are calm – with a few gentle waves.
You’re leisurely paddling with an epic view of Bremerton. To your left, a ferry is approaching its terminal. To your right, you spot a river otter splashing around!
And above, your eyes follow bald eagles as they land in trees.
No joke, this was my experience! And it can be yours too.
Be sure to avoid private property. Please note that the shoreline can be a little tricky to launch from because of its rocky nature. And, of course, wear a life jacket.
Sleep Under the Stars at Manchester State Park
Whether you are staying for a few hours or a few days, you can’t miss Manchester State Park!
With rich United States military history, natural beauty, and great camping close to town there is something for everyone.
Notably, Manchester State Park is known for its Torpedo Warehouse. Dating back to 1901, this brick structure was used as storage for underwater mines during WWII. Today, you can see life-size replicas of the mines in front of the warehouse.
Although the character of the warehouse is intact, it obviously serves a new purpose. Now, it provides shade and shelter for picnic-goers. Plus, the space is available to rent for events like weddings.
But, that’s not all.
You can (and should) easily walk through Battery Mitchell and a mining casemate to immerse fully into the park’s history.
8 Fun Things to do in Manchester State Park
- Hike 2 miles of trails
- Go swimming, kayaking, or paddle boarding
- Camp in one of 53 forested sites. Reserve here.
- Play volleyball or badminton (net provided)
- Saltwater fishing
- Play horseshoes
- Bring your binoculars and go birdwatching
- Enjoy views of Bainbridge Island, and Mount Rainier (traditionally known as Tahoma)
- See wildlife like Blacktail Deer
Print this park map and guide before you go.
Park admission is $5 per day or included with a Discover Pass ($30 annually, covers all Washington State Parks).
Pro Tip: Love fall foliage? Hike the trails in October and November. The Big Leaf Maple Trees are incredibly picturesque. And true to its name, the leaves are huge!
Things to do in Port Orchard: Chase Waterfalls Year-Round at Dickerson Creek
Washington’s waterfalls never disappoint. While a handful of them get most of the attention, there’s actually over 100 waterfalls in the Evergreen State.
That’s why no guide of things to do near Port Orchard is complete without one!
While exploring, consider hiking to Dickerson Falls.
This 2.3 mile hike brings fun for the entire family (pups included). You’ll tread through the forest and along a creek. At the falls, you’re treated to a sweet swimming spot at the base of the falls.
With an elevation gain of 285 feet, Dickerson Falls hike is rated easy on AllTrails.
The trail and gravel road is also open to mountain bikes and horses.
In the summer, the road is a great spot for viewing wildflowers.
Located about a 40-minute drive from Port Orchard.
Pro Tip: Print a map of the area before hitting the trails. It’s easy to get a little turned around here!
Discover Parkside at McCormick Village by Tri Pointe Homes
As I mentioned before, Port Orchard is growing. So if you and your family love the great outdoors and are searching for your next home, then you absolutely need to come and experience it for yourself!
Located about 10 minutes from downtown, Parkside at McCormick Village is a new community designed with nature lovers in mind.
Besides being only an hour away from the iconic Olympic National Park, the system of parks in the immediate area is extraordinary!
In fact, you can explore two parks and 7 miles of trails without ever stepping foot out of the community.
Things to do in Port Orchard: Activities Within McCormick Village
Go for a Peaceful Nature Walk at Big Pond Trail
Have you ever lived in a neighborhood with hiking trails?! It’s absolutely a dream of mine. While walking the trail, I was pleasantly surprised at how serene it was. The trail is hugged by lush vegetation on either side, making it feel like you’re deep into a forest without really doing the distance. However, what really made my jaw drop were the ponds!
Thoughtfully, there are a few wooden benches near the ponds so that you can rest. We noticed signs of beavers and heard hawks, so definitely keep your eyes peeled for wildlife!
Since this is a pretty new trail, not many people know about it! In fact, we completed the 4.6 mile hike with about 100 feet of elevation gain without seeing anyone else.
Take the Dog to Play at McCormick Village Park
While you can totally take your pup for a hike on the Big Pond Trail, another option is to visit Deer Park. Here, you can let them run free and socialize in off leash small and large dog parks. And again, there’s plenty of forest trails to get your nature fix.
Let the Kids Splash Around at McCormick Village Park & Play at Deer Park
Within McCormick Village your family will be in close proximity to multiple parks with playgrounds. But, the really awesome part is the summertime splash pad! It’s located in McCormick Village Park. At Deer Park, which shares a parking lot with the Big Pond Trail, you’ll find a playground with swings (pictured above).
Beyond easy access to the outdoors, the 2256-3940 square foot homes at Parkside can be customized using Tri Pointe Homes’ award-winning Design Studio.
With this tool, you can tailor your new house to truly be a home.
Its Room Visualizer feature will actually show you what options will look like, so you don’t need to worry over which samples actually look good together.
Besides being in a town with plenty of space to stretch your legs, Parkside homes are also generously sized on their interiors.
In total, they offer 4-6 bedrooms at a value that simply isn’t readily available elsewhere.
Prices start at $700K.
Location: 4554 Explorer Avenue, Port Orchard, Washington 98367
Things to do in Port Orchard: Get a Thrill Mountain Biking at South Kitsap Regional Park
Searching for an adrenaline rush? Look no further than the mountain biking trails and jumps at South Kitsap Regional Park.
Mountain biking is a great way to explore trails if you’re up for a little challenge, speed, and fun!
At this park, the trails aren’t very steep or technical. So, it’s good for all ages and skill levels.
And, you don’t need an expensive mountain bike to ride here.
With 209 acres, this is a pretty good sized park for being right in the city of Port Orchard.
From jump lines to technical cross country trails (rocky & root-covered), you can find a variety of trails for progressing your mountain biking skills in the area.
Other Mountain Biking Trails Near Port Orchard
- Banner Forest Heritage Park – 24 miles of trails from easy to intermediate levels
- Green Mountain State Forest – 29 miles of trails rated easy, intermediate, and difficult. Discover Pass required.
- Newberry Hill Heritage Park – 4 miles of easy and intermediate trails
- 360 Trails – 9 miles of trails rated easy, intermediate, and difficult
- Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park – 50 miles of trails rated easy, intermediate, and difficult
Don’t worry if mountain biking isn’t your thing.
Alternatively, you can also hike, skate, and picnic at South Kitsap Regional Park.
If you have little ones, don’t miss walking the Explorer Trail! It’s designed to help kids interact with nature, learn about it, and exercise in it. View the map here.
PS: We discovered this park through a recommendation from a local barista. Big thank you to them!
Relax the Day Away With a Picnic at Long Lake County Park
As far as Port Orchard activities go, you not only get saltwater, forests, and waterfalls. You get lakes too!
Long Lake County Park is a beloved spot for swimming, paddling, fishing, and simply laying out in the sun.
We were surprised at how large this park is. There’s tons of open grassy space, shady spots beneath trees, and swings to let your inner child out!
This post was all about things to do in Port Orchard Washington.
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