Theler Wetlands Nature Preserve

We’ve done this hike twice in recent years — once during winter (in the snow!) and once on a hot summer afternoon. It’s a really beautiful spot near the town of Belfair, at the head of Hood Canal. It’s actually a protected estuary and salt marsh full of birds and other wildlife.

You can reach the trailhead by driving about a mile south from the center of the small town of Belfair. Park near the Mary E. Theler Early Learning Center and the trailhead marked by a kiosk at the south end of the parking lot near some play equipment.

Key stats:

Distance: There are various trails you can take; we recommend the South Tidal Marsh trail which involves a long boardwalk over the marsh with a lookout at the end. It’s about a quarter mile long. The River Estuary Trail is s mile and a half long. We made it to the Union River overlook which is about 3/4 mile.

Wheelchair accessible parking? Yes

Wheelchair accessible bathrooms? Not sure

Trail condition? Hard packed gravel and dirt. Probably getting a little dicey in the rain… but we managed to do a 1 mile hike in the snow so it’s not that bad! If nothing else do the long boardwalk which is unique opportunity to travel far over a marshland in a wheelchair.

Highlights? It’s just a really unique, beautiful spot, and supposedly one of the best bird-watching sites in Washington state. If you’re coming from Seattle you can also enjoy the long ferry ride to Bremerton.

More information about Theler Wetlands Nature Preserve here and here.