Bainbridge Island may be just a short ferry ride from Seattle, but it feels like a whole different world.
One filled with twisty forest trails, secret beaches, and tiny towns where everyone smiles at you.
This road trip hits all the best spots on the island, from wow-worthy views to weird roadside surprises you’ll totally want a selfie with.
Whether you’re into nature, history, coffee, or just finding cool places to explore, this itinerary has a little bit of everything.
1. Waterfront Trail
Waterfront Trail is a super scenic path that winds right through downtown Winslow on Bainbridge Island.
It starts near the ferry terminal and loops past pretty harbors, quiet beaches, and historic spots.
It’s a flat, easy walk with signs along the way that tell cool stories about Bainbridge’s past.
You might even spot seals or bald eagles while walking past places like Eagle Harbor and Waterfront Park, so don’t forget your camera.
2. Bainbridge History Museum
Just a 6-minute walk from the trail, the Bainbridge History Museum is packed with fascinating stuff about the island’s past, from early Indigenous communities to the World War II Japanese American exclusion.
It’s inside a 1908 schoolhouse, so it feels like you’re stepping into a time capsule, with hands-on exhibits, vintage photos, and even an old-fashioned telephone you can actually use.
3. Pia The Peacekeeper
Just a 3-minute drive from the museum, you’ll find Pia the Peacekeeper, an 18-foot-tall sculpture made entirely of recycled wood, depicting a troll figure.
She is part of the ‘Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King’ project by artist Thomas Dambo which celebrates environmental sustainability and community spirit.
Plus, she’s got her own plaque with powerful words that might just give you goosebumps.
It’s a quick stop, but very unique so take a moment, snap a pic, and let Pia remind you why this little island has such a big heart.
4. Rolling Bay
Drive 5 minutes north and you’ll hit Rolling Bay, a tiny pocket of Bainbridge that’s all charm and no fuss.
Think funky signs, an unusual post office, and a general store that doubles as the neighborhood hangout.
The Rolling Bay Café serves up some seriously good coffee, and Bay Hay & Feed is the kind of place where you can grab a houseplant, chicken feed, and a cute souvenir mug all in one go.
It’s not flashy, but that’s why it’s magic, it’s just a friendly spot where locals wave at you like they’ve known you forever.
5. Fay Bainbridge Park
Just 7 minutes from Rolling Bay, Fay Bainbridge Park is where you’ll find one of the best beach views on the whole island.
You’ll spot Mount Rainier in the distance, driftwood everywhere, and loads of tide pools to poke around in.
The park’s got 26 RV sites, 14 tent sites and 5 cabins, all equipped with picnic tables and fire pits, plus a sandy shoreline perfect for skipping rocks or watching ferries glide by.
If you time it right, you can catch an epic sunset here with the Olympic Mountains glowing pink behind the water which is a total jaw-drop moment.
6. Frog Rock
Just a 4-minute drive away, make a quick stop at Frog Rock, a giant boulder painted to look like a cartoon frog, complete with big eyes and a goofy smile.
It used to be a boring old road-clearing rock until someone got creative in the ’70s, and now it’s basically Bainbridge’s unofficial mascot (you’ll even find it on t-shirts).
It’s hidden near the intersection of North Madison Avenue and Phelps Road, so keep your eyes peeled as snapping a selfie with Frog Rock is basically a local rite of passage.
7. Bloedel Reserve
Drive 7 minutes northwest and you’ll reach Bloedel Reserve, and wow, this place is like stepping into the most peaceful dream garden you’ve ever seen.
It’s a 140-acre nature wonderland with mossy forest trails, a Japanese garden with a reflecting pond, and even a fancy French-style manor house you can peek inside.
You’ll walk through giant ferns, over wooden bridges, and past meadows so quiet you can hear the birds gossiping.
It’s the perfect place to slow down and soak it all in.
8. Grand Forest West
Drive 10 minutes south and you’ll reach Grand Forest West, where things get a little wild in the best way.
This forest is packed with towering trees, twisty roots, and just under 3 miles of soft, earthy trails that make you feel like you’re wandering through a real-life fairy tale (but with fewer fairies and more squirrels).
The main loop is about 1.2 miles with a gentle 62-foot elevation, so it’s perfect for a chill hike or a spontaneous game of trail hide-and-seek if you’re feeling adventurous.
9. Gazzam Lake Nature Preserve
Drive 8 minutes south and you’ll hit Gazzam Lake Nature Preserve, which is basically a full-on forest adventure with a secluded lake as your prize.
The trail to the lake is just under 3 miles round-trip, shaded by giant firs and dotted with wildflowers in the spring.
You’ll probably hear frogs croaking before you even see the water.
Gazzam Lake itself is small but super peaceful and surrounded by tall trees.
10. Lynwood Center
Drive 6 minutes south to Lynwood Center, which is the perfect place to refuel after all that forest time.
It’s a cozy little village with tons of places to eat, plus it feels very old-school.
You’ve got tree-lined streets, outdoor patios, and spots like the Treehouse Café that basically beg you to sit down and stay awhile.
And don’t miss the little shops around the corner, they’re full of cool art, unique gifts, and the kind of soap that smells so good you’ll want to eat it (but, like, don’t).
11. Fort Ward Park
Just a 4-minute drive from Lynwood Center, Fort Ward Park is totally different from everything you’ve seen so far.
It’s a former military base turned waterfront park with a paved trail that hugs the shoreline just under a mile.
You can wander past old bunkers, spot harbor seals and seabirds playing in Rich Passage, and maybe even watch a submarine cruise by (yep, it’s a Navy route).
Bring a picnic, climb on the driftwood, and let the salty breeze do its thing.
12. Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
Before you wrap up your island loop, make time for the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial—it’s powerful, quiet, and something you’ll never forget.
The memorial marks the exact spot where 227 Japanese American residents were forced onto a ferry in 1942, and its cedar wall stretches along the path with each person’s name carved into it.
As you walk the trail, the artwork, quotes, and stories hit hard but in a way that reminds you how strong this community is and why remembering matters.
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