Washington State Parks

Park overview:

Fort Casey State Park is a 467-acre marine camping park with a lighthouse and sweeping views of Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A coast artillery post features two 10-inch and two 3-inch historic guns on display. The park features 10,810 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound (Admiralty Inlet), and includes Keystone Spit, a two-mile-plus stretch of land separating Admiralty Inlet and Crocket Lake.

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:

Park open year round 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: The picnic area of the park closes Oct. 1, reopens April 30.

Camping:
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

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.

Campsite Information:

The park offers 21 standard tent sites, 14 utility sites with water and electricity, one restroom and one shower. Utility sites are located in the inner circle campground (sites 26-35) and include four beachfront pull-through campsites (17-20). Maximum site length is 40 feet (may have limited availability). Campsites are located next to the Keystone Ferry terminal. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

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.

To view campsites and facilities reservable at this park, visit the reservation system and campsite maps.

Park Features

The park is the site of Admiralty Head Lighthouse. A coast artillery post features four historic guns on display. The park offers spectacular views of Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

History

In 1858, the U.S. government purchased ten acres of land costing $400 for the construction of Admiralty Head Lighthouse. In 1890, the army took over the premises. It named its garrison "Fort Casey" in honor of Brigadier General Thomas Lincoln Casey, the last U.S. Army chief of engineers. At that time, Fort Casey, in union with Fort Worden and Fort Flagler, was said to comprise a "triangle of fire" guarding the entrance to Puget Sound.

When the fort was constructed, the old lighthouse had to be moved. A new lighthouse was built on the present site in 1903. Today the Admiralty Head Lighthouse at Fort Casey serves as a historic landmark and interpretive center. The park was incorporated into Ebey's Landing National Historic Reserve in 1980.

In Aug. 2012, a newly constructed and historically accurate lantern house was installed at Admiralty Head Lighthouse. A result of years of community partnerships and student volunteer work from three Whidbey Island high schools, the lantern house was dedicated in Sept. 2012.

Interpretive opportunities

Interpretive panels in Admiralty Head Lighthouse tell the history of the area around Fort Casey State Park. The story begins with a brief cultural history about the Native American nations from the area, and then leads the reader forwarded through time to the first pioneer settlers, the building of the Red Bluff Lighthouse and the construction of Fort Casey.

Guided tours of historic gun batteries: From May 24 through Sept. 2, volunteers with the Fort Casey Volunteer Battalion lead guided tours of the gun batteries at Fort Casey State Park. The 45-minute tours are at 2:30 pm, Friday through Sunday. Meet at the kiosk between Battery Worth and the parking lot. Tours also are offered on Thursday, July 4 at 1 and 2:30 pm and Monday, Sept. 2 at 1 and 2:30 pm. For more information, call (360) 678-4519.

Services/Supplies

Available in the park	Available in the area
• Camping • Fire wood	• Auto repair • Airport • Camping • Diesel • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Gifts • Golf • Groceries • Hardware • Hospital • Marine supplies • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Postal service • Propane • Recreational equipment • Wood • Swimming

Activities

Trails	Water Activities	Other
• 1.8 mi. Hiking Trails	• Boating (saltwater) • 2 boat ramps (saltwater) • Diving • Fishing (saltwater)	• 1 Amphitheater • Beach Exploration • Bird Watching • 2 Fire Circles • Interpretive Activities
The park contains a designated remote-control glider area and a parade field popular for kite-flying. The lighthouse is open seasonally. Tours can be arranged by calling (360) 240-5584. 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

Events
Date/time	Event description	State Park
Fridays and Saturdays May 18 - Sept. 14 1 p.m. Sundays May 18 - Sept. 14 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.	Guided Historic Gun Battery Tours: Volunteers with the Fort Casey Volunteer Battalion lead guided tours of the historic gun batteries at Fort Casey State Park. The 45-minute programs begin at the kiosk between Battery Worth and the parking lot. Special tours will be offered on July 4 and Sept. 3. For more information, call (360) 678-4519.	Fort Casey (360) 678-4519

Find other events at Washington State Parks

Boating Features

The park has two saltwater watercraft launchs.

There is a daily watercraft launch fee of $7. A paystation is available next to the watercraft luanch area. Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.

Picnic and Day-use Facilities

The park offers 68 unsheltered picnic tables. Picnic sites are first come, first served.

Wildlife

Mammals	Birds	Fish & Sea Life
• Chipmunks • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Foxes • Otters • Rabbits • Raccoons • Skunks • Squirrels	• Crows or Ravens • Ducks • Eagles • Geese • Gulls • Hawks • Herons • Hummingbirds • Jays • Owls • Quail • Woodpeckers • Wrens	• Crabs • Octopuses • Scallops • Sea Birds • Sea Cucumbers • Seals • Starfish • Cod • Eel • Perch • Salmon • Steelhead

Environmental Features

Physical Features		Plant Life
		• Douglas Fir • Hemlock • Spruce • Alder • Apple • Cherry • Daisy • Foxglove • Lupines • Paintbrush • Rhododendron • Rose • Berries • Ferns • Moss or Lichens • Seaweed • Thistle