On the surface, Fort Townsend is a classic state park on a Puget Sound beach. But a closer look reveals a hidden history.

Built in 1856, Fort Townsend operated as a U.S. Army site on and off until a fire destroyed its barracks in 1895. The small camping park south of Port Townsend is unique among Washington's coastal forts because it has all but returned to nature.

Military buffs, walk the parade lawn and find interpretive plaques lining the former Officers' Row. Explore a historic torpedo tower that held state-of-the-art technology during World War II (and is now part of the group campground). And don't forget to check the park's calendar to learn about events taking place on the lawn.

Fort Townsend provides a quieter alternative to its bigger, busier northern neighbor, Fort Worden. The park has 6 miles of loamy trails through soaring Douglas-firs, western hemlock, cedar trees and a rich understory of ferns. Wander down to the beach for views of Port Townsend Bay.

Couples planning to tie the knot and families arranging reunions can rent the Friends Barn, a replica of the Fort's historic stable, now a charming hall with a fireplace, located between the forest and the beach. Not only will you enjoy Fort Townsend's relaxed vibe, you may feel the park's historic past, even if you can't see it.

Fort Townsend Historical State Park

Hidden gun emplacements, expansive parade lawns and restored Victorian-era Officers homes place history front and center at Fort Worden Historical State Park.

While today's park plays host to workshops, festivals and family reunions, the Fort Worden of 100 years ago was home to nearly 1,000 troops and officers training to defend the Puget Sound from potential enemy invaders.

Fort Worden, Fort Flagler and Fort Casey, with their big guns and strategic locations, once made up the coastal defense system known as, "The Triangle of Fire." Constructed between 1898 and 1917, fascinating Fort Worden features more than 2 miles of beachfront and high bluffs with spectacular views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Want a comprehensive history lesson? Start at the Friends of Fort Worden Gift Shop, and grab a self-guided walking tour map. Stop into the Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum, Commanding Officer's House and Marine Science Center. Enjoy a meal in the Guard House Pub, and peruse the photogenic 1914 Point Wilson Lighthouse. Explore defunct coastal defense batteries, and imagine the compound teeming with enlisted men, officers and staff during World Wars I and II.

Nurture your creative side by attending a world-class conference or retreat at the fort. Stay in a barracks-turned-dormitory, a Commanding Officer's home or a castle. Or camp at the beach, and fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing gently on the shore.

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.

State Parks Tagged With: Port Townsend