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Fort Worden Historical State Park
ATTENTION!
The Fort Worden Boat Launch is closed indefinitely while Parks pursues a safer alternative for the area.
The community is encouraged to use the Parks-managed launches at nearby Fort Flagler and Mystery Bay state parks. There are additional boat launches operated by the Port of Port Townsend.
campsite reservations at Fort Worden
Reservations for campsites and the beach shelter are handled through Washington State Parks' reservation system, either online or by phone at (888) 226-7688.
For inquiries and reservations regarding dormitories, vacation homes and other accommodations at the park, please contact Fort Worden Hospitality at (360) 344-4400 or visit online at website. ____________________________________________________
Hidden gun emplacements, expansive parade lawns and restored Victorian-era Officers homes place history front and center at Fort Worden Historical State Park. Over 100 years ago, Fort Worden was part of the US Army's Coast Artillery Corps. Fort Worden, Fort Flagler, and Fort Casey, with thier big guns and strategic locations, defended the Puget Sound from potential enemy invaders.
Through a variety of partnerships, Fort Worden now plays host to workshops, festivals and family-fun events. Come camp at the beach and fall asleep to the sound of the waves crashing gently on the shore, or during the summer, camp under the cool shade of evergreens in the forest campground. During the day, explore the parks's extensive network of trails to discover a variety of ecosystems and high bluffs with spectacular views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
This rich cultural treasure will delight military and maritime history buffs, as well as writers, musicians, visitors to nearby Port Townsend and anyone who's up for a great place to stay.
Park features
Fort Worden Historical State Park is a 432-acre multi-use park with more than 2 miles of sandy saltwater shoreline. It features a wide variety of services and facilities, including a full-service conference center that can be booked for daylong or multi-day events.
The park is co-managed by the Fort Worden Public Development Authority. The FWPDA partners with Fort Worden Hospitality, Centrum Arts Foundation and other on-site organizations to provide unique experiences for visitors. For more information on food, lodging, and events on campus, visit Fort Worden Hospitality's website
Discover Pass: A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks for day use. At Fort Worden a Discover Pass is required to visit at a campsite, in the beach area and at the main trailheads for day use parking. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.
Automated pay station: This park is equipped with an automated pay station for visitors to purchase a one-day or annual Discover Pass and boat launch permit.
Fort Worden Hospitality:
The Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Center, located in the park's main campus, is operated by The Fort Worden Hospitality. Information about food, lodging, programs and events at the learning center can be found on the PDA's website.
ADA amenities/facilities
- Campground
- Restroom
- Hiking trail
- Meeting spaces
- Vacation rentals
Use our interactive ADA recreation map to search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities.
Picnic & day-use facilities
Fort Worden offers dozens of outstanding day-use and picnic areas. Whether overlooking the high centennial cliffs of Artillery Hill, the often wild Strait of Juan de Fuca, or a tranquil vista encompassing the distant Mt. Baker, framed by Point Wilson Lighthouse and the Port Townsend Marine Science Center on the end of the pier. Numerous day-use picnic tables and fire boxes provide for an excellent picnic spot. The Cable House Canteen is an on-site food and convenience store, offering sundries, delicious burgers or hot breakfast entrées.
Activities
Trails
- 2.6 miles of ADA hiking trails
- 8.3 miles of biking trails
- 11.2 miles of hiking trails
Water activities & features
- 120 feet of dock
- Boating
- Crabbing
- Diving
- Moorage buoys (6)
- Personal watercraft use
- Saltwater fishing
- Swimming
- Watercraft launches (2)
- Waterskiing
Other activities & features
- Alternative fitness classes
- Beach exploration
- Bird watching
- Fire circles (2)
- Mountain biking
- Museums
- Tennis courts (2)
- Scavenger Hunt
INTERPRETIVE opportunities
Ranger -led-programs
Ranger led programs are now being offered at Fort Worden State Park. Keep your eye on our calendar or on Eventbrite for up-to-date program schedules. Stop by the Park Office to learn about our Junior Ranger Program.
Commanding Officer's Quarters museum
The Commanding Officer's Quarters Museum overlooks Admiralty Inlet, with the Cascades in the background. Completed in 1904, 33 families called this place home during the days of the fort. The building has been restored and furnished in keeping with the late Victorian period (1890 - 1910), providing a glimpse into the life of an officer and his family in the first decade of this century. It is open seasonally for tours. Visit the Jefferson County Historical Society's website for more information and a virtual tour.
Rothschild house museum
Rothschild House at Fort Worden Historical State Park in Port Townsend is open seasonally for tours. The gardens around the house can be enjoyed all year, so stop by and take in the view with a picnic. The Rothschild House is co-managed by the Jefferson County Historical Society and Washington State Parks. Visit the JCHS website for more information and a virtual tour.
COast Artillery MUSEUM
The Coast Artillery Museum was established to preserve and interpret coast artillery history with special emphasis on the harbor defenses of Puget Sound as they existed and functioned from the late 1800s to the end of World War II. Among the collections and artifacts, visitors will see a three-dimensional scale model of Battery Kinzie showing the design and structure of the massive fortifications and the emplacements for the two 12-inch disappearing guns that were kept in readiness for possible attack from 1910 to 1943. Call (360) 385-0373 for more information.
The port townsend marine science center
The Port Townsend Marine Science Center has multiple locations. At Fort Worden there is a natural history museum and an aquarium that is open seasonally. For more information, visit their website.
Group Tours and Activities
To request a State Park interpretive program at Fort Worden, please fill out the form at the link below. Interested in what programs are offered, or have questions? Check the Program Descriptions link below or email the interpreter.
- Fort Worden Interpretive Program Form
- Program Descriptions (PDF)
- Have questions about programs in the park? Please email Kelsey.Lang@parks.wa.gov.
FRIENDS OF FORT WORDEN
The Friends of Fort Worden State Park is a non-profit organization founded in 1993 to provide financial and volunteer support for programs and park improvements (such as trail maintenance, habitat restoration and interpretive trails). To find out more about The Friends of Fort Worden and what they’re doing, visit their website.
Additional information
- There are several golf courses nearby.
- Visit the fascinating historic town of Port Townsend.
- The Olympic Mountains rise majestically nearby.
- From nearly everywhere, you can hear the cry of the gull and the call of the sea.
- Printable park brochure (PDF).
Campsite information
Campers may enjoy this scenic and historic fort at two delightful campgrounds with 80 campsites that may be reserved up to 9 months in advance. Both campgrounds have restrooms with showers. Maximum site length is 75-feet (limited availability).
Beach campground features 50 full-hookup (water, electric, and sewer) sites tucked between the bluffs and the beaches of Point Wilson. The sites are level, spacious, and open. Most sites have an amazing view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Upper campground features 30 partial-hookup sites with water, electricity, and a sewer dump station nearby. The campsites are mostly forested, some with privacy. They are fairly level, and quite long. This campground offers easy access to miles of trails.
Campsites are popular and fill quickly year-round. Reservations are highly recommended.
Campgrounds convert to winter water after Thanksgiving until before Presidents' Day Weekend (subject to weather). Insulated winter water sources are available in each campground during this time.
Reservations
Individual campsite reservations can be made online or by calling (888)226-7688.
Overnight accommodations
With 456 bedrooms, Fort Worden offers a wide variety of overnight accommodations for family vacations, conferences, reunions, and retreats. Visitors may choose from century-old officers' housing, a castle, special one-room houses, and large dormitories. All accommodations are located on beautiful state park grounds that have miles of trails, sandy beaches, and unparalleled views of the Cascades and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
There are 43 housing units available for renting year-round. Houses range from six-bedroom to single-bedroom units with living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens. All the houses have fully equipped kitchens (coffee makers, utensils, dinnerware, and cookware), and have full linen service. These houses are very popular with conferences and travelers. Visit the vacation houses section for additional information.
Fort Worden governance
The Washington State Parks Commission unanimously adopted a lease and co-management agreement with the Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Center PDA. The agreement was the result of years of public process, discussion, research and negotiation. The documents related to the public process are included on this page. If you would like more information or need documents in an alternative format, please call 360-902-8626 or email us.
Related Documents
- Agenda Item E3 and Appendices 1-6 (PDF)
- Agenda Item E3 and Fort Worden Future Governance (PDF)
- Agenda Item E3 and Memorandum of Understanding with Centrum (PDF)
- Agenda Item E5 and Appendices 1-5 (PDF)
- Agenda Item E5 and Appendix 3 (PDF)
- Agenda Item E6 and Appendix 1 (PDF)
- Agenda Item E7 and Appendices 1-3 (PDF)
- Agenda Item E7 and Appendices 1-5 (PDF)
- Agenda Item E7 and Appendices 4-5 (PDF)
- Agenda Item E9 and Appendices 1-3 (PDF)
- Agenda Item E11 and Memorandum of Understanding with Centrum (PDF)
- Fort Worden-PDA Master Lease (PDF)
- Memo to Staff and Partners-Discover Pass 2013 (PDF)
- Resolution Regarding the Transfer of Ft Worden-PDA (PDF)
Historical information
Fort Worden, named for Admiral John L. Worden, is the only U.S. Army post named after a United States Navy member.
Fort Worden was one of five fortifications built in the Puget Sound area at the turn of the 20th century, starting with the gun emplacements in 1898. These posts were established to prevent a hostile fleet from reaching the Bremerton Naval Yard and to provide protection for developing cities in the area. In 1904, Fort Worden became the headquarters for the defense of Puget Sound.
The layout of the fort changed many times throughout periods of war and peace. The largest number of soldiers living there at one time was approximately 7,000 during the summer of 1918. The fort’s purpose was primarily defense, but these shores never saw any action. Soldiers spent their time here training for battles overseas, keeping up the grounds, and competing in friendly games like baseball.
Over the years, the large guns from the batteries were either removed or scrapped. Many of these were removed during WWI to be placed on mobile mounts for use in Europe. Due to improvements in warships and the invention of aircraft, the coastal defense technology of the early 20th century was rendered obsolete by the 1920s.
Only two of the large seacoast guns originally installed at Fort Worden are known to have survived being scrapped. During WWII, two 10-inch guns on barbette carriages (originally in Battery Quarles) were transferred to Fort McNutt in Nova Scotia, Canada. By the end of WWII these guns were abandoned and exist there still in disrepair. The only two large seacoast guns from the Endicott period remaining in the United States, are two 10-inch disappearing guns brought back from Fort Wint in the Philippines. They are currently installed at Fort Casey on the other side of Admiralty Inlet.
The fort was last used for amphibious training exercises, which proved useful when soldiers from Fort Worden landed at Incheon (South Korea) to assist in the Korean Conflict. Soldiers never returned in force to Fort Worden, and the Army decided to decommission the fort in 1953. However, the Navy’s Harbor Command Post on top of Artillery Hill remained active, monitoring ships and boats coming into Puget Sound until 1959.The State of Washington took the over the facility in 1958 and used it for a rehabilitation center until it became a state park in 1972.