West Sound Guide: State Parks: Old Fort Townsend State Park

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.

Planning project at Old Fort Townsend State Park

Marine Park: No

Park Hours

The park is open year round for day use.

Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: Closed Oct. 15, reopens March 28.

For information on future Hood Canal Bridge closures, visit the Department of Transportation Web site.

Significant 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 Oportunities

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.

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

Mammals	Birds	Fish & Sea Life	Plantlife
Bears Chipmunks Coyotes Deer/Elk Otters Rabbits Raccoons Squirrels	Crows/Ravens Dove/Pigeon Eagles Hawks Herons Humming Birds Jays Osprey Owls Woodpeckers	Clams Crabs Mussels Oysters Sea Birds Sea Cucumbers Seals Shellfish Shrimp

General	Trails	Freshwater Activities	Saltwater Activities
Swimming	6.5 mi. of Hiking Trails		Boating Scuba Diving Fishing Crabbing
The park provides ball fields and a children's play area. Bicycles are permitted on some of the hiking trails. Picnic Notes Three picnic shelters and 43 picnic tables are available first-come, first-served. Group Camping 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. Boating/Water Notes 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.: -Daily moorage fee is 50 cents per foot, with a minimum of $10. -Moorage buoys, $10 a night. -Annual moorage permit fee is $3.50 per foot, with a minimum of $50. Moorage permits are available at parks offering moorage. For information, call (360) 902-8844.

General

Trails

Freshwater Activities

Saltwater Activities

Swimming

6.5 mi. of Hiking Trails

Boating

Scuba Diving

Fishing

Crabbing

The park provides ball fields and a children's play area. Bicycles are permitted on some of the hiking trails.

Picnic Notes

Three picnic shelters and 43 picnic tables are available first-come, first-served.

Group Camping

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.

Boating/Water Notes

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.:
-Daily moorage fee is 50 cents per foot, with a minimum of $10.
-Moorage buoys, $10 a night.
-Annual moorage permit fee is $3.50 per foot, with a minimum of $50.

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

Park Services	Area Services
	Boating