Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Mary E. Theler Wetlands Nature Preserve
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Olympic Peninsula,
by Craig Romano.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. Among the many legacies that Sam and Mary Theler left the town of Belfair was land for a Masonic Lodge, church, and school. Out of the 70 acres deeded to the North Mason School District arose the Mary E. Theler Wetlands Nature Preserve. Serving an educational role for area school children, the wetlands have also become the area's prime hiking destination. Start your visit by passing under the welcome arch and proceeding 0.25 mile to the Wetlands Project Center. If it's open, take time to visit to gain a better appreciation and understanding of the complex ecosystem you are about to explore. Children-heck, adults too-will appreciate the hands-on exhibits. Several trails radiate from the Wetlands Project Center. All are pleasurable to walk and are wheelchair-accessible. The Sweetwater Creek and Alder Creek Trails make 0.25-mile loops. The South Tidal Marsh Trail extends 0.25 mile onto a boardwalk into Hood Canal. It's ideally positioned for spotting birds among the grasses and reeds and for viewing the Olympic Mountains in the background. The Union River Estuary Trail offers the longest and best hike in the preserve. Along an old dike the trail elbows across open wetlands-tidal marsh on the left, freshwater marsh on the right. Through a tunnel of shrubs and along active farmland, the trail makes a beeline for the mouth of the Union River. In 0.5 mile you'll reach the river. The trail then turns right (northeast) to hug this nutrient-rich waterway for one more mile. Just beyond the 1-mile mark is a small picnic area and restroom. At the trail's terminus are two short spurs-the one left leads to the river's edge for prime waterfowl and salmon-spawning viewing. Return to the Theler Wetlands at different times of the year to fully appreciate the life cycles at work in this ecologically important preserve.
Driving Directions:
From Bremerton head west on State Route 3 to Belfair. Proceed 1 mile beyond the junction with SR 300 to the Mary E. Theler Community Center (and sign for the nature trail), located on your right. Park at community center. The trailhead is located in the northwest corner of the parking lot. Privy available. Recent Trip Reports
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Saw a recent write-up on this one & decided a good day to check it out. Theler Wetlands has...
Saw a recent write-up on this one & decided a good day to check it out. Theler Wetlands has a nature center & education center & many displays outside near the trailhead & along the way. I took the River Estuary Trail first. It heads west about 1/2 mile to the Union River & then along the river another mile or so. Weather was socked in, not too many views. Trail is mostly on gravel but a few boardwalk sections also. Very slick when wet and/or icy. Saw alot of red-winged blackbirds & geese. Headed back & took the South Tidal Marsh trail. Fortunately the weather cleared & better views out to Hood Canal at mouth of Union River. This section is mostly on boardwalk. A few Olympic peaks visible above foothills to west. Talked w/ 2 regulars at end of boardwalk. Saw many ducks, a few blue herons, etc. No 4 legged animals seen. Good exercise for winter.
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In Belfair on the Hood Canal, The Mary Theyer Wetlands are a wonderful easy nature walk..3.5 miles total RT. A...
In Belfair on the Hood Canal, The Mary Theyer Wetlands are a wonderful easy nature walk..3.5 miles total RT. A good trip for a rainy winter day. We saw eagles, mergansers, otters, coots, the boardwalk parts were very slippery- be careful. The entrance itself has a very cool Nature's Gate- felt like something out of The Hobbit- that is a great piece of art and there are also other interesting wood sculptures around. The environmental education center was closed but still fun to investigate- especially a huge fully articulated gray whale skeleton hanging over our head. The wetland and access to watching the life in them were great. Good picnic tables in several areas- a very civilized walk, we took a lot of pictures and spent much time watching- and did the whole area in 2 hours.
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Features:
Ripe berries
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Great hike for small children. The trail is flat and has many options to make it as long or...
Great hike for small children. The trail is flat and has many options to make it as long or as short as you want. The trail was in great condition no erosion or obstacles of any kind. During our hike we came across a mother duck with 9 ducklings, a blue heron catching fish and plenty of ripe black berries or 'energy berries' as the kids called them.
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Sick of being cooped up in the house due to all the rain lately. I decided to head over the...
Sick of being cooped up in the house due to all the rain lately. I decided to head over the narrows and explore an area I hit in January Theler Wetlands and Kopachuck state park. Saw 2 eagles, 3 herons, and lots of crows and other little birdes in my trip. Nothing too exciting,it was just nice to be outside. Got a few miles in at each place and headed home.
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Theler Wetlands & Kopachuck State Park 1-4-09
After reading about Theler wetlands on WTA website as a good lowland hike, I...
Theler Wetlands & Kopachuck State Park 1-4-09
After reading about Theler wetlands on WTA website as a good lowland hike, I decided since weather was not raining to head out to Belfair area and check it out. Since it was fairly short around 2 miles total, I figured Annie and I would hit another state park on the way home. She is only 4 weeks after surgery and I needed to take it easy on her. As soon as we drove into Belfair the fog rolled in and the views were less than desirable, but we made the best out of it. Trail was about half gravel and half wooden boardwalks. They had buckets with gravel and cans to sprinkle on board walk if you wanted.. some ice and snow in spots. There is a learning center in the middle that looked really cool for kids. We saw 3 blue heron birds, ducks, and some robins, and sparrows. Heard a few gun shots, must be a range in the area. One really loud Boom scared the hell out of me, I think I even ducked.. but besides that all good. It was really cold today in the 30’s but felt colder, we stopped for hot chocolate and then on to Kopachuck state park. We got a bit lost on the last turn to Ray Nash Road it’s not marked. But we finally found it, this is a really great little park on the sound and I believe I read it’s on the list of 13 parks to be shut down possibly due to budget cuts, what a shame. We just checked out the beach a little and made our way back over the bridge. We could see a tiny bit of the Olympic mountains, on a clear day it would have been magical. |
Mary E. Theler Wetlands. Photo by Hikingqueen.
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