Map of Port Townsend — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (2024)

We have tried to get into this park for years with no luck. Was really happy to find a spot there for our Valentine's Day celebration and it did not disappoint! Incredible views from the high points. Excellent hiking/biking trails. This park is very large and I think a person could spend a week here and not see it all! Restrooms were very well kept.On the downside - the signage for the campground to lead you to your RV spot is absolutely inadequate. The water was turned off for winter and the sign explaining where to the fill spigot was on a sandwich board and had been placed beyond the spigot, after you already drive by the spigot. There is not a campground entrance sign at all, so the end of our trip there consisted of about an extra 20 minutes of confusion and driving around that could have been alleviated with a good set of signs. The leash law is strictly enforced, even for our aged dachshund, who gets around slowly and could not create an issue when if he had the heart to. He also is sans teeth!In any case, we loved the park and would love to return if we can ever find a reservation again. Would be a great place for day hikes also!

we stopped in Port Gamble. It is a beautiful little town and well worth the visit if you have not been there before. There's a nice little grocery store near the waterfront. At Fort Worden we drove out to Point Wilson Lighthouse and parked. We hiked around the waterfront and then climbed up the hill to some of the World War II batteries. We had a good drive back home, again taking the ferry. It was dark by the time we got on the ferry. Even though it was winter, our little Chevy Bolt made it all the way to Port Townsend and back on one charge.

Cool place, dramatic and beautiful views. The Fort was also very cool. It is a big park so we didn’t get to see everything because we came later in the day so plan accordingly. Great place to bring the kids and learn some history of Washington state.

Such a beautiful park with a tranquil feel. A great day trip or you can multi day with the campground. We have ridden our bikes through here a handful of times now. This past visit I saw all ages doing activities including beach combing, kayaking, hiking, camping, and general sightseeing. So much to see here and even seasonal restaurants. There are numerous vistas above the beaches with glorious views. Each time I see some form of sea life and many birds. I appreciate the well tended public restrooms and picnic tables. Dress in layers and bring a beach blanket. Binoculars would be helpful for watching sea life and birds. Discover Pass is required for the park areas.

Great state park with beaches and something to do for everyone. Their is something military history buffs, movie buffs, Montana pipeline and beach people. You would do yourself an injustice to never got.o this state park.

Ft. Worden is a WONDERFUL place to visit and campsite. The beach is right next to your area where camping and the historic WWII bunkers are right next to the campsites.The reason I took one star is that it is essentially a "parking lot"; a very nice parking lot with all sites having full hookup for RVs but there is NO brush, shrubs or overhanging trees; it is a glorified parking lot off the side of the beach. Most of the sites arearge enough to accommodate larger sized rigs.

If you are looking for a State Park to WOW you, consider Fort Worden Historical State Park, 430+ acres located in Port Townsend in Washington State.This United States Army base was not only an Army base but later became a juvenile detention facility in 1957. And in 1971, Washington State Parks and Recreation took it over, becoming a State Park in 1973.Built by a British citizen known as Reverend John Barrow Alexander in 1883 was "Alexander Castle," the oldest building in Fort Worden.But the actual construction of the Fort was started in 1897 and closed as a base in 1953.There is so much beauty to see and history about Fort Worden; I've recently read some visitors say that Fort Worden appears to be haunted. Whatever your reason for visiting this Fort, it will surely wow you in more than one way.Fort Worden offers a sandy beach, abandoned artillery batteries for exploring, Point Wilson Lighthouse, a balloon hanger, museums, trails, wildlife, marine science center, camping area, day use site areas, and picnic places. Did I mention that there are cabins, shelters, conference centers, and historic structures to rent throughout the year? And so much more. A wedding was happening when we were there!I urge you to visit; even if you are a resident of Washington State or visiting Washington for the first time, this park is fabulous!Also, you get the benefit of being in Port Townsend; Port Townsend alone offers a slue of history and beauty!Shoutouts to every employee, volunteer or otherwise. These people have dedicated their time in keeping this park safe, lovely and litter free.If you choose to visit (I sincerely hope you do) this or any other park, please be respectful of the parks, wildlife and the employees. Clean up your messes, and enjoy what any park offers, not by drawing on or destroying it but by learning from them and appreciating all they have to offer, and remember Be kind to ALL living things!!!!

I visited the lighthouse area and one of the battlements. Excellent views and some great hikes on the beach and on the old trails of the fort. The view from the battlement overlooking the mouth of the Puget Sound was excellent.

Fantastic place to stay, easy trails to cliff views or beach; the Commons had God coffee, pastries, salads, sandwiches. When open Guardhouse pub was a lovely relaxing evening pub dinner.Stayed in colonel's house on parade grounds, nice view of straits, super clean and comfortable.

Lovely October escape! Our second visit to the area and I look forward to the next. Easy drive and fun trails, cafes, eateries, shops... exploring for all sorts of interests, ages and seasons.

I visited both Fort Worden and Fort Flagler (over on Marrowstone Island) in the same day, doing Flagler first and then Worden. By the time I got to Worden, it was early afternoon and the entire place was pretty busy. Flagler had been the opposite! Fort Worden is definitely set up to maximize park usage, which certainly works to its advantage for upkeep and revenue, but for a history buff tourist like me, I prefer a little less crowd. My wife & I went to see the historic fortifications, the Puget Sound Coast Artillery museum, and the Point Wilson lighthouse. Unfortunately, the only fortifications you can get to by car are Battery Kinzie (which was very crowded, since it is right next to the RV campground, beach, and science centers) and Battery Vicars (which is small and not notable really). The hike to get from the parking area to the other, more secluded fortifications is just under a mile - not really something I was interested in doing after hiking around Fort Flagler for three hours that same morning. And finding that route was tough since there was no signage pointing vehicles to that side of the park. So, we skipped the outlying batteries, and only visited Kinzie and Vickers. Kinzie is really big and impressive, with a fantastically beautiful view of the surrounding cliffs, so despite there being folks shouting and carrying on inside, it was still worthwhile.Point Wilson lighthouse was unfortunately closed for filming, but looked neat from a distance. There was a group of people fencing on the beach, I'd never seen THAT activity on the beach before! There ended up being two museums down near the parade ground that I thought looked interesting, the Coast Artillery museum I had planned for, and a tour of an Officer's Quarters - but both had short business hours, and I was unable to squeeze both into an afternoon. Each is managed separately and has its own cost.The Coast Artillery museum was good, not as good as the Fort Flagler Historical Museum but broader in scope and with interesting artifacts from throughout US military history. The room with information on how Puget Sound, Seattle, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca was defended during WWII and the Cold War is the most interesting part. The museum is within an old barracks, so the space isn't conducive to a typical museum flow, the customer service desk is between the two galleries so you have to pass back and forth to see everything. There was a guided tour of the museum going on, but from what I heard, it wasn't worth spending the time on - the guide was basically just saying what was on the signs, and the tour was barely through the first room by the time I was done with both galleries - and it had already started when I arrived! There is a small entrance fee, and they have books for sale on a variety of interesting military history & local history topics.Overall, the museum was the highlight, and worth the visit alone - but again, if choosing between Worden & Flagler, I'd recommend Flagler & its museum over this one. As with any other Washington State Park, you need to have a park pass - which you can buy on-site for $10 for the day, or $30 for the year (and it covers all Washington parks). Consult the Washington State Parks website for specific location, some parks have both machines that take credit cards and a visitors center option, some only have the machines.

Beautiful hikes and lots of history to learn about. The local wildlife is pretty friendly, too! Historic lodging is available, or there are campgrounds, but you'll need a reservation. Much of the area is an easy walk but if you can handle the steeper trails and rougher terrain there are some beautiful views from the upper portion of the fort.

Love this place for both camping and hiking, as well as the history of it all. Wandering into and between the gun emplacements, now silent, make you ponder what it was like when this place was built.

I've visited this place a few times in the fast few years. It's been getting progressively more and more busy. Still a pretty interesting place with great views

Beautiful place full of military history and nature’s wonders. Situated on a strategic site where a straight meets a sound, (Say that 3 times faster :)) Fort Worden is a great respite from the city. We stayed in a neatly decorated house on officer’s row during the Apple Cider Festival weekend. It was lovely.

Absolutely loved spending a few hours here. Spent some time at the initial beach area. Getting to visit the lighthouse and catch a view of the top of the old lighthouse tower. Walking along the bluff trails with a stunning view of the sea from up high. Lots of structures with historical significance and no restrictions on climbing and enjoying every nook and cranny. Be careful and pay attention as you walk as there are no guardrails with some very steep drops on concrete structures in some areas. None of the trails are very difficult and they aren't too long. Many are out-and-back which make it easy to estimate time and distance. One of the trails I was on was relatively secluded and was face-to-face with a large deer.

We love this magical spot where you can view the Cascades and the Olympics just by following the beach around the point that boasts a lighthouse!

Fort Worden State Park, located just north of the charming town of Port Townsend, is indeed a beautiful and diverse destination to explore. With its sandy beaches, trails, vistas, and historical sites, there is something for everyone to enjoy.The park boasts several beaches with picnic tables and fields, providing ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The views from the vistas above the beaches are breathtaking, offering glimpses of the Olympic Mountains and the Salish Sea.The park's historical significance is evident in the numerous bunkers that are available for exploration. These bunkers offer a glimpse into the region's military history, dating back to the early 1900s. Visitors can also explore the park's museum and aquarium to learn more about the area's unique ecology and history.Seasonal restaurants are available in the park for those looking to grab a bite to eat, and well-tended public restrooms and picnic tables ensure visitors have a comfortable and enjoyable experience.It's always a good idea to dress in layers and bring a beach blanket, especially if you plan on spending time on the beaches. Binoculars can also come in handy for watching sea life and birds.It's important to note that a Discover Pass is required for park areas, so be sure to plan accordingly. Overall, Fort Worden State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the stunning coast of Washington state.