Island Lake Community Beach
Poulsbo, Washington · on Island Lake · Island Lake Park
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $50/hour
- SEASON
- September
About Island Lake Community Beach
Island Lake Park is a 23-acre Kitsap County park on Island Lake near Poulsbo, Washington, with a designated swimming area, the local swimming hole, kept separate from its fishing pier. The park is county-managed (North Kitsap district) and includes a community building, picnic shelter, playground, trails, and a non-trailerable boat launch, making Island Lake an easy lake to swim in close to Poulsbo.
The park sits on the shore of Island Lake, a small non-motorized lake in North Kitsap County near Poulsbo, WA. Kitsap County's own park inventory lists it among the county's "waterways and waterfront parks," with walking trails, picnic areas, a playground, and a community building (1,302 sq ft, seats 100) alongside the lake access area.
Swimming at Island Lake Community Beach
The county park page lists a distinct designated swimming area at the lake, separate from the fishing pier where swimming is explicitly prohibited. Life jacket kiosks are provided at the site. The lake itself is non-motorized (only electric trolling motors are permitted for boats), which keeps the water calm. No further detail on water depth, bottom type, or clarity was found in official sources.
How to get to this swimming hole
The park is located at 1087 NW Island Lake Road, Poulsbo, WA 98370, in Kitsap County's North Kitsap district.
Parking: On-site parking lot with 57 spaces total (44 upper lot, 10 lower lot, 2 handicap spaces).
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up county park: the parking lot sits directly at Island Lake Park, with the designated swimming area and boat launch immediately adjacent. No hike is needed to reach the water; the park does have separate general 'walking trails' listed as an amenity, but they are not required to access the swim spot.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
The county park maintains a designated swimming area kept physically separate from the fishing pier (where swimming is prohibited), and provides life jacket kiosks right at the water, both signs the site is set up with families in mind. However, no source confirms lifeguards, marked depth, or a shallow gradual entry, so supervise kids closely.
Parking
Free
On-site lot with 57 spaces total (44 in the upper lot, 10 in the lower lot, 2 ADA/handicap), first-come first-served; no parking fee found.
Restrooms
Yes
On-site restrooms, but seasonal: open April 1 through September 30 and closed for winter October 1 through March 31, per the county park page.
Hours
No posted general park gate hours were found. Restrooms and full park access are closed seasonally October 1 - March 31. Facility rentals run 10am-10pm for the community building and 10am-8pm (April-September only) for the picnic shelter.
On the water
Restrictions: Island Lake is non-motorized: gas motors are prohibited and only electric trolling motors are permitted on boats. The park's boat launch is non-trailerable (car-top/carry-in only, no trailer ramp), suiting kayaks, canoes, and other small non-motorized craft. Fishing and boating are not allowed from within the designated swimming area.
Paddleboard is not explicitly named by the county page (which lists 'canoe, kayak, or small non-motorized boats'), but is included here as a reasonable read of 'small non-motorized boats' under the same electric-trolling-motor-only rule; this inference is noted rather than sourced verbatim.
Island Lake Community Beach: FAQ
Does Island Lake Community Beach charge a fee?
No general park entry fee found. Facility rentals carry fees: community building $50/hour on weekdays (3-hour minimum) or $600/day on weekends, plus a $25 administrative fee; picnic shelter $160/day (April-September) plus a $25 administrative fee.
Is Island Lake Community Beach kid friendly?
The county park maintains a designated swimming area kept physically separate from the fishing pier (where swimming is prohibited), and provides life jacket kiosks right at the water, both signs the site is set up with families in mind. However, no source confirms lifeguards, marked depth, or a shallow gradual entry, so supervise kids closely.
Do I need to hike to reach Island Lake Community Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Island Lake Community Beach?
On-site lot with 57 spaces total (44 in the upper lot, 10 in the lower lot, 2 ADA/handicap), first-come first-served; no parking fee found.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Island Lake Community Beach?
Paddleboard is not explicitly named by the county page (which lists 'canoe, kayak, or small non-motorized boats'), but is included here as a reasonable read of 'small non-motorized boats' under the same electric-trolling-motor-only rule; this inference is noted rather than sourced verbatim.
When is the best time to visit Island Lake Community Beach?
April through September, based on the picnic shelter's rental season and the restrooms/park access being limited October 1-March 31.
What are the rules at Island Lake Community Beach?
Swimming from the fishing pier is prohibited; fishing from the designated swimming area is prohibited. The lake is non-motorized, with only electric trolling motors permitted on boats. Park access is limited from October 1 through March 31, and restrooms are closed during that same seasonal window.
What water body is Island Lake Community Beach on?
Island Lake Community Beach is on Island Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
