Fun Fall Suggestions Around McCormick!  

Posted October 1, 2024

With school in session and the weather taking a turn into spooky season, we want to make sure residents know ways to escape to some fun around McCormick! Here are some our favorite things to do this fall in our beautiful pacific northwest where you enjoy the outdoor and indoor holiday activities with family, friends, and significant others! 

Pumpkin Patches, Fall Festivals, & More: 

Pheasant Field Farms:  Pumpkin Patches, corn maze and lots of fresh produce! Located in Silverdale, this family-run operation has everything you need with over 6 acres of land.  

Suyematsu & Bentryn Family Farms on Bainbridge Island: Take a 50-minute drive over to the island to visit fantastic pumpkin patches, farm areas, and all their photo opportunities.  

Cider Swig In Gig Harbor dozens of regional ciders are showcased along with live music and entertainment. There’s a pie contest, childcare, and food trucks to fulfill all your needs. 

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Harvest Fest at Miracle Ranch in Port Orchard is close to home! They feature wagon rides, face painting, boating, carnival games, a rodeo, and so much more.  

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Local Hikes Near McCormick: 

Easy Hikes:

Banner Forest Heritage Park Loop is used for hiking, biking, & equestrian riding. This trail is mostly a gentle incline with views of trees, ponds, and wetlands that Kitsap County acquired in 2000. If you want to fill more of the day, do this loop along with Mismash Loop below! 

The easy going Kitsap Loop is perfect for a family stroll or taking your dog on a walk. It’s popular so you get the chance to run into some neighbors or meet more of the Kitsap community. Hope in the car for an easy 14-min drive to get to the loop from McCormick! 

Moderate Hikes:  

Mismash Loop has beautiful, shaded trails that are easy to navigate. Located in Banner Forest Heritage Park, a 20-min drive from McCormick Mismash Loop is begging for people to explore. With beautiful, shaded trails that are easy to navigate you can create try out this trail and you can make it even more challenging by doing the loop more than once. Bring your dog or bike to explore the trails! 

At McCormick: 

Big Pond Lake (4.6 mile trail) & Beaver Dam Foxglove Grouse & Cascara Loop (1.3 mile loop) are two fantastic locations in your backyard at McCormick that allow you enjoy breathtaking views without having to jump in the car. If you have not explored these trails, enjoy a relaxing trail walk with your friends, family or furry companions. 

Favorite Fall Reads: 

If you’re not feeling the outdoors, there’s still plenty to enjoy from the comfort of home!  Here’s a list of must-reads to add to your Book Bucket List. Grab a cozy blanket, a cup of tea, and settle in for a peaceful night of reading 

• No-One Goes Along: Erik Larsen 

• Harlem Shuffle: Colson Whitehead  

• The Butler: Danielle Steele 

• The Judges List: John Grisham 

Non-Fiction: 

• The Siege: Ben Macintyre 

• Consider This: Nedra Glover Tawwab 

• Sonny Boy: Al Pacino 

Kids & Young Adult:  

• The Scarecrow: Beth Ferry 

• Bookie & Cookie: Blanca Gómez  

• The Codebreakers Club: Naoya Imanishi, Med 

You can buy the books or head over to Kitsap Regional Library—just 10 minutes from McCormick! And don’t forget to explore the charming  Eldon Trails Little Libraries scattered around Port Orchard, where your new favorite book might be waiting.