Fort Worden Historical State Park

State park · Port Townsend

Fort Worden Historical State Park

State park · Port Townsend

1

200 Battery Way, Port Townsend, WA 98368

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Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Entropical Paradise (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Chris Naka/Atlas Obscura
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Jedibastard (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Chris Naka/Atlas Obscura
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Jedibastard (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Dan DeLuca (CC BY 2.0)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Jedibastard (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Dan DeLuca (CC BY 2.0)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Entropical Paradise (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Entropical Paradise (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Aty Trocious (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by bokehmon (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Entropical Paradise (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Jedibastard (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Evil Genius (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Dan DeLuca (CC BY 2.0)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Entropical Paradise (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Evil Genius (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by ATLAS_OBSCURA
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Chris Naka/Atlas Obscura
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Chris Naka/Atlas Obscura
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Entropical Paradise (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Chris Naka/Atlas Obscura
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Evil Genius (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Entropical Paradise (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Evil Genius (Atlas Obscura User)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Dan DeLuca (CC BY 2.0)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Chris Naka/Atlas Obscura
Fort Worden Historical State Park by Dan DeLuca (CC BY 2.0)
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null
Fort Worden Historical State Park by null

Highlights

Former military base with Puget Sound shoreline, a conference center, camping & rentable houses.  

200 Battery Way, Port Townsend, WA 98368 Get directions

fortworden.org

Information

Static Map

200 Battery Way, Port Townsend, WA 98368 Get directions

+1 360 344 4400
fortworden.org

Features

Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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@atlasobscura

"If you’re in an “abandoned artillery base” sort of mood and have a yen for secret tunnels and haunted barracks, then Fort Worden is absolutely your jam.  Around 1900, Puget Sound had valuable military assets like the naval shipyards at Bremerton and the civilian ports of Seattle and Tacoma that were deemed vulnerable, high-value targets for attack by enemy warships (remember, there were no planes at this point). However, any invading fleet would have to enter the Sound through a narrow bottleneck, so three artillery bases (Forts Worden, Casey, and Flagler) were built to guard the front door. Together, their extensive batteries of humongous cannons formed what was known as the “Triangle of Fire.” These gun batteries were serious business: Fort Worden, the biggest, had six batteries totaling 41 guns. The weapons themselves varied in size and effect, some hurling explosive shells a foot in diameter and five feet long, weighing more than 1,000 pounds. The enemy never showed up (kudos!), so the forts never fired a shot in anger. Flash forward a few wars, when the advent of bomber aircraft made “the triangle” completely moot. Today the three forts are peaceful Washington State Parks. Fort Worden is most well-preserved of the three parks. It’s full of treasures like an extensive, profoundly cool, and totally eerie complex of hardened gun emplacements (minus the guns), including empty bunkers, pill boxes, roads and trails, memorials, and confusing infrastructure. There are strange ladders and stairways to nowhere, as well as dark hallways that lead to even darker rooms hidden behind heavy blast doors. Military barracks, long since abandoned by any troops, now house museums and, according to some, quite a few ghosts." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

The Most Wondrous State Parks to Visit During the Government Shutdown
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Darcy Kelley

SerpAPI
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.

Christine Brandau

SerpAPI
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!!!!

The Reviewer

SerpAPI
Nice park, recommend coming here! Stopped here and walked out into the water and enjoyed time building sand castles on the beach. It was clean and nice! Lots of birds which means lots of bird poop so watch out. Summary : Enjoyed a nice evening here with the family and I'm sure you will too!

Sheryl McKee

SerpAPI
Wow. We were late getting to our booked campsite at Deception Pass, so randomly showed up here. Three spots left, we snagged one. Then we went to the drive-in for some Top Gun in the forest!! Great space at the sites, kinda private-ish. No hot water the day we were there. But, maintenance was on it in the a.m. We had site 63. Power and water and a spot away from the bathrooms. There were a couple more we will try to book instead next time. Cause. We'll be back!! Fire rings and picnic tables, along with a concrete pad and some grass.

Iyana Marie

SerpAPI
Most excellent park ever! Beaches with picnic tables, fields, a lighthouse, museum, aquarium, AND amazing bunkers to explore full of rich history. The bunkers have the most incredible echo and are so fun to explore! Fun for all!

Premangshu Saha

SerpAPI
Well I would say this is a hidden gem of Washington State. Beautiful beaches, amazing Vista, good hiking trails and also additional attractions of bunker and museums. Don't miss it if you are in the area. Your kids will thank you and you can thank me as well 😊

Nija C

SerpAPI
Nice chill area to visit. The kids had fun running around on the structures out there. We liked chillin at the waterfront . Great for camping. The restrooms were nice and clean. We got to see a couple of 🦌 deers. Bring a flashlight if you plan on walking in the old buildings . We didn't go by the lighthouse this time. The beach campground trail was closed due to being washed out by the rain water. So we couldn't take the kids to see the structures up that way.

Trypp Adams

SerpAPI
Great spot to spend a day exploring old military barracks, a lighthouse, walks along the shoreline and just enjoying the sound. There is a campground, the sites around the loop are more sheltered and quite. The lupine were in full bloom when I visited. A day pass is $10 and there is one machine where you can pay with a credit card.