Washington State Parks

Fort Townsend: All Content

Park overview:

This 367-acre marine camping park features 3,960 feet of saltwater shoreline on Port Townsend Bay. The heavily wooded park has a rich military history dating from pioneer days.

Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page.

Park hours/updates:

Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: Campground closes Oct. 8, reopens May 1.

The park is open year round for day use.

The water supply in the day-use area is turned off for the season. The restroom is still open.

Agency information:

Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.

The Discover Pass now can be used on either of two vehicles!

Annual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, the Discover Pass is not required if you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, for the duration of your stay at that state park. For additional exemptions and more information, please visit the Discover Pass website.

Campsite Information:

The park has 40 reservable standard campsites, 4 primitive (hiker/biker) campsites that are first come, first served. Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance by sending an e-mail to Fort Worden State Park at fwcamping@parks.wa.gov, mailing a letter to 200 Battery Way, Port Townsend, WA 98368 or faxing a letter to (360) 385-7248. Reservations can be made up to 11 month in advance in-person at Fort Worden or by calling (360) 344-4431 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

The park has one dump station, two restrooms and one shower. Maximum site length is 40 feet (may have limited availability).

Group Accommodations:

The park provides a group camp that accommodates up to 80 people. Fees vary with size of the group. For information and reservations, contact the park at (360) 385-3595.

2013 camping fees:

Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).

May 15 – Sept. 15 (peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $23 non-premium site, $26 premium site
Partial-utility campsite*: $30 non-premium site, $35 premium site
Full-utility campsite*: $32 non-premium site, $37 premium site
*Please note: Camping fees during the 2013 peak season are $28 for partial-utility sites and $29 for full-utility sites at Beacon Rock, Lewis & Clark and Schafer state parks. These parks are first come, first served.

Jan. 1 – May 14 and Sept. 16 – Dec. 31 (off-peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $22 for non-premium and premium sites
Partial-utility campsite: $28 for non-premium and premium sites
Full-utility campsite: $29 for non-premium and premium sites

Maximum eight people per campsite.

Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.

Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.

More about park hours
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park from April 1 through Sept. 30; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.

Simple locator map of Fort Townsend State Park

Driving Directions

Located on the Olympic Peninsula, two miles south of Port Townsend, Wash. in Jefferson County.

From SR 20:
Approximately two miles south of Port Townsend, turn east on Old Fort Townsend Rd. drive one-half mile to reach the park.

Park Maps

Thumbnail map of Fort Townsend State Park

Fort Townsend downloadable pdf map #1

List of all downloadable Washington State Park PDF maps.

Park Features

The park offers nature and history interpretive events. The 6.5 miles of hiking trails wonder through a natural forest area.

History

The park occupies more than a third of the original Fort Townsend built in 1856 by the U.S. Army for the protection of settlers. Timbers were hewn and laths cut from local forests. The fort was closed between 1859 and 1874, declared "unfit" after an inspection by an army headquarters commander from Columbia. Reopened in 1874, the fort thrived until 1895 when fire destroyed the barracks. The property was used as an enemy-munitions defusing station during World War II. State Parks took custody of the premises in 1953.

Interpretive opportunities

A self-guided nature trail and a second trail highlighting historical information are available in the park. A park ranger conducts interpretive walks by request on Saturdays. The park supports an active Junior Ranger interpretive program.

Services/Supplies

Available in the park
• Fire wood

Activities

Trails	Water Activities	Other
• 6.5 mi. Hiking Trails	• Boating (saltwater) • Diving • Fishing (saltwater) • Crabbing	• 1 Amphitheater
The park provides ball fields and a children's play area. Bicycles are permitted on some of the hiking trails. A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website.

Events

Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free. The Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park on ten designated free days in 2013.

The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:

Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend

Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.

Find other events at Washington State Parks

Boating Features

Buoys lie one mile south of Glenn Cove on the west side of Port Townsend Bay. The nearest launch ramps are at Port Townsend, Fort Flagler, and Hadlock.

Moorage fees are charged year round for mooring at docks, floats and buoys from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Moorage permits are available at parks offering moorage. For information, call (360) 902-8844.

Picnic and Day-use Facilities

Three picnic shelters and 43 picnic tables are available first come, first served. The park also offers a modern replica of the historic 1800's stable, the Friends' Barn is perfect for weddings, family reunions, company gatherings, nature camps, classroom activities and more. Maximum capacity 100 guests.

Wildlife

Mammals	Birds	Fish & Sea Life
• Bears • Chipmunks • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Otters • Rabbits • Raccoons • Squirrels	• Crows or Ravens • Doves or Pigeons • Eagles • Hawks • Herons • Hummingbirds • Jays • Ospreys • Owls • Woodpeckers	• Clams • Crabs • Mussels • Oysters • Sea Birds • Sea Cucumbers • Seals • Shellfish • Shrimp