Afternoon on the Trails

Shake off the “Big Dark” and start 2026 with a breath of fresh, fir-scented air.

Our first Open Trails Day of the new year is the perfect excuse to reset and reconnect with the natural world after the bustle of the holiday season.

For this day only, our trail system is open for self-guided exploration. Wander at your own pace — whether you’re seeking calm, curiosity, or a family adventure to kick off the year.

Follow the Spine Trail to our suspension bridge and enjoy the mysteries of the ravine below. Winter brings long shadows, crunchy cones underfoot and lots of deadfallen branches laden with silvery lichens and plush mosses.

Continue through stands of hemlock and western redcedar, then make your way to chilly Mac’s Pond, where bald eagles and wintering waterfowl often glide overhead. From there, head up the Cemetery Trail and peek inside the windows of our historic Mill Worker’s Cabin, or venture south onto the more secluded Lower Loop Trail, full of mossy boulders, maidenhair ferns, and hooty owls tucked deep in the forest.

As you return toward campus, loop around the cattail marsh and pause at the Bird Blind — January is a wonderful time to watch ducks, herons, and other wildlife settling into their winter routines.

Both treehouses and our Forest Canopy Tower will be open for your visit.

We can’t wait to welcome you.

If you've come before, we welcome you back again. There is always something new to see every season!

• All ages welcome!
• Bring a picnic or early dinner if you like, pack it in - pack it out. Leave No Trace.
• Please no dogs unless they are a service animal, thank you.
• Some of our trails accommodate strollers and wheelchairs, for more information please ask our Greeters for the best routes to accommodate your party size and abilities upon arrival.
• Our staff and volunteers love to meet you and tell you the story of how IslandWood came to be and the work we do in the Puget Sound region - make sure you ask any of our trail greeters for info about this special place.

IslandWood Community Education is grateful for the support of the Fletcher Bay Foundation, which supports low-cost and free public programs on our Bainbridge Island Campus each year. Thank you for all your support!