Fort Townsend Historical State Park
Notice: Burn Ban Level 2 — details
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 8 a.m. – sunset
- Entrance fee
- $10 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- parks.wa.gov(360) 385-3595
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Fire restriction Burn Ban Level 2Wood fires restricted to fire pits in designated areas. Gas and propane allowed. Charcoal may be restricted.
Posted by the park 2026-09-18. Official alert
Overview
In Jefferson County, about 3 miles south of Port Townsend, Fort Townsend Historical State Park covers about 413 acres.
The park supports snorkeling and diving, horseback riding, boating, biking, and wildlife watching. The official site lists about 6.5 miles of trails. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites and showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – sunset | — |
Official wording
8:00 a.m. - Dusk year round
Winter Schedule: Learn about seasonal closures and operational changes during the off-season on the Winter Schedule page.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Discover pass: Annual Pass | $45 · year |
| One-day Pass | $10 |
| Moorage - Docks and buoys | $23 |
| Moorage - Docks and buoys | $1 |
| Trailer Dump Fee | $5 |
| Overnight Unattended Vehicle Fee | $10 |
Official wording
Discover pass: • Annual Pass: $45 • One-day Pass: $10 • Moorage - Docks and buoys: $23 for buoy, $1 per vessel foot for dock • Trailer Dump Fee: $5 per use • Overnight Unattended Vehicle Fee: $10 per night
Washington park passes
- Discover Pass (annual) — $45. Day-use vehicle access to state parks (and DNR/WDFW lands) Details
- Discover Pass (one-day) — $10. Day-use vehicle access for one day Details
From the Washington state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Not required
- Booking system
- Camis (washington.goingtocamp.com)
- Phone
- (888) 226-7688
There are 40 reservable standard campsites and four hiker/biker campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs Allowed on Leash • Dogs Allowed on Leash All pets must be kept on leashes throughout the park, as there is no designated off-leash area. Cougars have been spotted occasionally, so keep your pets close and children nearby for safety.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Camping
There are 40 reservable standard campsites and four hiker/biker campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum site length is 40 feet, with limited availability.
Group camp
One group camp is available for up to 40 people at the site of the historic torpedo tower.
Camping amenities listed: Showers, Trash Service, Trailer Dump
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Friends Barn Wedding Day-Use Sitehttps://parks.wa.gov/find-park/state-parks/fort-townsend-historical-state-park/friends-barn-wedding-day-use-site
Rentals: Friends Barn Wedding Day-Use Site
Things to do
BikingWildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCampingFishingHikingSnorkeling and scubaPicnickingHorseback riding
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-guided interpretive trails | 1.2 mi | — | Tales & Trails: Magic of the Forest Begin at the Camper's Trail and follow the interpretive signs along this rugged, winding 1.2-mile loop. The enjoy this trail spring through early fall for blooms and berries, fall through winter offers a variety of fungus. Experience the trail firsthand or explore from home by reading the interpretive signs online. However you choose to journey, the forest is always waiting to share its magic. Historical walk Enjoy a historic tour of the Fort's parade grounds on this 0.3-mile trail. Begin at the bulletin board in the day-use parking lot and uncover the rich military history of the fort by reading the interpretive signs through the historic parade grounds and along the looped forest trail. |
Trail descriptions from the park
Hiking
Lovers of plants, mushrooms, wildlife and nature photography will delight in this rugged and enchanting forest. Wander among towering Douglas firs, western hemlock, and cedar trees along 6.5 miles of hiking trails.
Self-guided interpretive trails
Tales & Trails: Magic of the Forest
Begin at the Camper's Trail and follow the interpretive signs along this rugged, winding 1.2-mile loop. The enjoy this trail spring through early fall for blooms and berries, fall through winter offers a variety of fungus. Experience the trail firsthand or explore from home by reading the interpretive signs online. However you choose to journey, the forest is always waiting to share its magic.
Historical walk
Enjoy a historic tour of the Fort's parade grounds on this 0.3-mile trail. Begin at the bulletin board in the day-use parking lot and uncover the rich military history of the fort by reading the interpretive signs through the historic parade grounds and along the looped forest trail.
Boating and paddling
Moorage and boating
Moorage buoys lie one mile south of Glenn Cove directly adjacent to Port Townsend State Park’s beach. Moorage fees are charged year round for mooring at docks, floats and buoys from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m. Daily and annual permits are available.
The buoys are at latitude: 48º 4' 35.76" N (48.0766) and longitude: 122º 47' 7" W (-122.7852).
Boat pumpout
The nearest pumpout is at Port Townsend Boat Haven. Visit their website or call (800) 228-2803 for more information. Pumpout Coordinates are latitude 48° 6.389′ N and longitude 122° 46.257′ W.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Drinking water
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Restaurant or food service
- Parking
- Amphitheater
Water
- Swimming beach
Camping
- Tent camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Accessible facilities listed: Accessible Parking
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
- Dogs Allowed on Leash
- Horses not Allowed
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 and Wildlife.
Cell service varies depending on your carrier and location within the park.
All pets must be kept on leashes throughout the park, as there is no designated off-leash area. Cougars have been spotted occasionally, so keep your pets close and children nearby for safety. For more information on cougar sightings, refer to the cougar fact sheet.
Getting there
- Address
- 1370 Old Fort Townsend Road
Port Townsend, WA 98368 - Nearest town
- Port Townsend — about 3 mi south (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 48.0734, -122.7893
- Phone
- (360) 385-3595
- Patricia.Anderson@parks.wa.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Washington State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Washington State Parks Find Parks directory (paged Drupal view), joined to WSPRC ParkBoundaries ArcGIS layer for coordinates/category
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology