Kennedy Creek is a tidal creek flowing into Oyster Bay and Totten Inlet within the southern Puget Sound near Shelton, Washington. The paddling experience is characterized by extensive intertidal mudflats and salt marshes, making tidal planning paramount. A high tide of at least 14 feet is strongly recommended for launching to avoid mud wallowing; a popular put-in is on the north side of the creek at a small turnout where SE Old Olympic Highway meets northbound US 101. This access involves a very steep trail down to the water, requiring careful boat handling, and parking is limited. A common one-way route involves paddling the length of Totten Inlet, taking out at the Arcadia Boat Ramp, a distance of approximately 12 kilometers. The creek and inlet offer calm, sheltered waters suitable for sea kayaking, with shellfish growing operations and wooded shorelines defining the scenery. Wildlife is abundant, with harbor seals, cormorants, Great Blue Herons, and significant concentrations of migratory shorebirds, including thousands of dunlin in winter. The area is part of the Kennedy Creek Natural Area Preserve, protecting critical salt marsh ecosystems. The primary hazards are the extensive mudflats at low tide and a potentially overgrown trail at the main launch. Facilities at the launch are minimal, with no amenities beyond the steep trailhead. The water is part of a productive shellfish habitat, so paddlers should be mindful of local operations. Wind conditions are typically light, but a light northeasterly wind can develop. The best seasons for paddling are not explicitly defined, but trips are planned around high tides regardless of season.