West Sound Guide: State Parks: Fort Ward State Park

Fort Ward State Park is a 137-acre marine park with 4,300 feet of saltwater shoreline on Rich Passage. Many of the structures in the park reflect the historic military significance of the area, but the park is well developed for day use. There is an underwater park for scuba divers, a two-lane boat ramp and a long, beautiful beach along Rich Passage.

Marine Park: Yes

Park Hours

Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk; upper day-use area closed Oct 18, reopens April 8.

Significant History

After World War II, the U.S. Navy used a radio tower (once located adjacent to the park and east of the upper picnic area) to send messages to Navy Command in Seattle at Pier 91.

In 1903, Fort Ward was offically commissioned as a seacoast fort with the primary objective of protecting the Bremerton Naval Shipyard. Two gun batteries are located in the park. During World War II, the navy used the fort as a radio station and training school for communication personnel and installed a submarine net across Rich Passage. In 1958, the navy decommissioned the fort, and State Parks purchased Fort Ward in 1960.

Directions provided by the state parks department are given below the map, or you can try to have google create the directions from the coordinates we have on file.

Directions

From Hwy. 305:
Turn west on High School Rd. Travel to T-intersection (approximately three miles), and turn left onto Fletcher Bay Rd. Continue on Fletcher Bay Rd. to T-intersection, then turn right. This takes you past Linnwood Center. Continue to Y-intersection. Veer right to go to the Fort Ward boat ramp, or veer left to find park entrance and upper picnic area. To get to park entrance, continue on left fork to Country Club Rd., and turn right. Turn right again on Fort Ward Rd. Park entrance is on right. (NOTE: The route is well signed from High School Rd.)

Mammals	Birds	Fish & Sea Life	Plantlife
Bobcats Chipmunks Coyotes Deer/Elk Foxes Otters Rabbits Raccoons Skunks Squirrels Weasels	Crows/Ravens Dove/Pigeon Ducks Eagles Geese Grouse Gulls Hawks Herons Humming Birds Jays Osprey Owls Pheasant Quail Woodpeckers Wrens	Clams Crabs Mussels Octopus Oysters Scallops Sea Birds Sea Cucumbers Seals Shellfish Shrimp Squid Starfish Whales Bass Cod Eel Perch Red Snapper Salmon Shark Steelhead Tuna	Cedar Douglas Fir Hemlocks Spruce Yew Alders Apple Trees Ash Trees Cherry Trees Maple Trees Daisies Foxgloves Berries Ferns Moss or Lichens Seaweed Thistle Poison Oak

General	Trails	Freshwater Activities	Saltwater Activities
Swimming Beachcombing Bird Watching Wildlife Viewing Sailboarding 2 Fire Circles	2 mi. of Hiking Trails		Boating Scuba Diving Fishing Personal Watercraft Water Skiing Crabbing 1 Boat Ramp
Picnic Notes There are 16 unsheltered picnic tables, available first-come, first-served. The upper picnic area is accessible by automobile. The lower picnic area (along Rich Passage) is accessible by foot only. Boating/Water Notes There is one boat ramp. Be advised Rich Passage has swift currents during tidal exchanges. A daily permit is available for watercraft launching and trailer dumping at the park for $5. Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.

General

Trails

Freshwater Activities

Saltwater Activities

Swimming

Beachcombing

Bird Watching

Wildlife Viewing

Sailboarding

2 Fire Circles

2 mi. of Hiking Trails

Boating

Scuba Diving

Fishing

Personal Watercraft

Water Skiing

Crabbing

1 Boat Ramp

Picnic Notes

There are 16 unsheltered picnic tables, available first-come, first-served. The upper picnic area is accessible by automobile. The lower picnic area (along Rich Passage) is accessible by foot only.

Boating/Water Notes

There is one boat ramp. Be advised Rich Passage has swift currents during tidal exchanges.

A daily permit is available for watercraft launching and trailer dumping at the park for $5.
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.

Park Services	Area Services
	Boating Groceries Pay Phones
There are no services available in the park.