Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park

Port Gamble WA 98364

Size: 3,493 Acres

Region: North District

Features: Walking trails, equestrian trails, biking trails, access to water for water trails and kayaking, parking lot. This park is a pack it in and pack it out type park



Park Notices:

Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park - Restorative Selective Forest Thinning:


Trail sections will be CLOSED PERIODICALLY effective immediately until further notice, due to Restorative Selective Forest Thinning operations underway (map). Closures are in accordance with active work and may change day by day. Please adhere to trail closure signs for your own safety.

• Please exercise caution when entering the park through Bayview Trailhead on weekdays between the hours of 4am and 1pm.

• Large trucks will haul logs north on the G1000 and leaving the park using the Bayview gate/trailhead three to four times daily.

• By removing some trees in a densely packed forest, more sunlight can reach the forest understory to promote growth of diverse plant life and provide more habitat for wildlife.

For more information, please e-mail parks@kitsap.gov.

Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park Framework

Kitsap County Parks is pleased to present the Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park Framework. This framework is based on input from the public, the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, the Suquamish Tribe, focus groups, the Parks Advisory Board, the project steering committee, the Port Gamble Stewards, Kitsap County staff and County Commissioners.

View the project website for the background on this planning effort, maps and other reference materials by clicking here.

Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park Framework Documents:


2022 Timber harvesting completed at Kitsap County's Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park

Timber harvesting has been completed in Kitsap County's Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park. Rayonier will conducted the harvesting and related activities inside park boundaries. Trails within or near timber harvesting activity are now open.

Rayonier maintains timber harvesting rights for portions of the heritage park through 2042, which was integral to the county purchasing the property.

Click here for a location map of the planned timber harvest.


Informational Fliers
 
Plans

Resource Management & Recreation Development – Landscape Classification System
Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park Resource Stewardship & Public Access Plan
Forest Stewardship Plan for Ecological Restoration of Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park
Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park Management Plan Summary
Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park Land Use Map
Conceptual Site Plan for Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park Trails


​Timeline of land acquisition for Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park

December 22, 2017 – On Friday afternoon, a transaction was completed to secure more than 1,500 acres of the Port Gamble Forest from Pope Resources to add to the Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park.

This final phase of the project was fueled by donations from over 1,200 community members, as well as many local partners, foundations and champions, who came together to raise $3.5 million.  Inspired by the community effort, matching grants were provided by Kitsap County ($200,000) and Washington State ($500,000) for a total of $4.0 million in this final phase of the project.

The Port Gamble Forest property includes 65 miles of trails where already more than 20,000 hikers, birders, mountain bikers, equestrians, cyclists and runners recreate each year. At the north end of the property is a future recreational area for mountain biking. The property will be added to the Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park, which now totals 3,493 acres. Click Here for the full article.

  

February 2014 - The 453-acre “Shoreline Block” was acquired in February 2014 - A State Department of Ecology (DOE) grant was awarded, allowing for development of a Stewardship Plan and associated activities including studies, property clean-up and planting restoration.  


December 2014 - Park Planning started in December 2014. A Steering Committee has been selected.