Fort Townsend Historical State Park

Visit a historic marine camping park that boasts saltwater shoreline that abuts Port Townsend Bay. Rife with military history, the trails here travel through beautiful forest and offer insight into the area's past life, including a former military cemetary.

The park consists of more than a third of the original Fort Townsend, which was built in 1856 by the U.S. Army for the protection of settlers. Local forests were used for logs to build the fort. It closed between 1859 and 1874, declared unfit after an inspection by an army headquarters commander from Columbia.

The fort reopened in 1874 and operated until 1895 when fire destroyed the barracks. After the fire, it was used as an enemy-munitions defusing station during World War II. State Parks took custody of the premises in 1953.

Follow an interpretive trail on a self-guided tour of the area, but be sure to get a copy of the trail map at the day use parking area to keep your bearings. The park is open year round for day use.