Island Lake Park is a 23-acre Kitsap County park on the north shore of Island Lake, a 41-acre lowland lake that sits at about 220 feet of elevation between Silverdale and Poulsbo on the Kitsap Peninsula. Kitsap County Parks runs it as a North District park and lists a designated swimming area among its features, and the Kitsap Public Health District samples that swimming beach every summer. The lake takes its name from Clark Island, a small, uninhabited island in its south-central part that you can see from the shore.

The park address is 1087 NW Island Lake Road, Poulsbo. From Silverdale, drive north on Silverdale Way NW for roughly 3.5 miles, turn right on Bennington Drive, and stay on it as it becomes NW Island Lake Road; the signed entrance is on the right. The main lots by the community building hold about 57 cars, and a second small lot sits on the west shore at the far end of the paved trail. Kitsap Transit routes 234, 332 and 333 stop at Silverdale Way and Bennington Drive, about 0.6 mile from the gate. The swim beach is a short walk from the north lot and restrooms.

The swimming area is a small sand beach at the north end of the lake, popular with families because kids can play in the sand at the water's edge. This is still lake water with no current, and it warms through July and August, though no official temperature is published. The county does not list lifeguards, so plan on watching your own group. A free life jacket loaner kiosk stands near the beach. Fishing is not allowed from the swim area, and swimming is not allowed from the fishing pier, which is farther west along the shore. Pets are not permitted near swimming beaches under county park rules.

Entry is free. Kitsap County states that all of its parks are free to enter, and no parking pass is required here. County parks are open during daylight hours only. From October 1 through March 31 the county limits access to Island Lake Park and closes the restrooms, so the realistic swim season runs from spring through September.

Water quality is the main thing to check before you go. The health district has closed this beach to all water contact several times for E. coli, most recently with a no-contact advisory issued June 17, 2026 after a sample came back at 101.6 MPN/100 mL, just over the 100 limit; it was lifted June 18. Closures also go back years, including one in July 2009. The lake is also checked for cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms, which have closed it to water use at times. Check Kitsap Public Health's current advisories or sign up for their beach alerts, and skip the water if signs are posted. Island Lake is closed to gas motors, with only electric trolling motors allowed, so the water is quiet.

Beyond the beach, a wide, flat paved trail of about 1.5 miles follows the shore past picnic areas, a playground and the fishing pier, with a forest loop near the north lot. Canoes, kayaks and other hand-carried boats launch from a non-trailerable launch beside the log community building, which the county rents for events along with a picnic shelter. WDFW stocks the lake with rainbow trout each spring, and it also holds largemouth bass and cutthroat trout.