Contact Information
P.O. Box 42650
Olympia, WA 98504
360-902-8500
Fort Worden State Park covers 433 acres with 11,000 feet of saltwater shoreline on Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Boating facilities include two mooring floats, nine mooring buoys, a launch float, two boat launch ramps, a dock and an underwater park. In addition, Fort Worden is part of the Cascadia Marine Trail system for human powered and wind powered beachable craft. Of special interest are the numerous performing-arts presentations made in the 1,400-seat McCurdy Pavilion (a restored balloon hanger). Activities include the Seattle Youth Symphony, Port Townsend Blues Festival, Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, Jazz Port Townsend, and many other programs.
In addition, the park is listed in both the State and National Register of Historic Places and has been designated a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can view the original 12-gun emplacements and even stay in restored residences or barracks. A marine interpretive building is provided for those who are more interested in natural history and marine wildlife.
Camping and picnicking facilities include 80 trailer sites, three primitive sites, 60 picnic sites, one kitchen, a comfort station/bathhouse, seven vault toilets, five comfort stations and parking for 511 vehicles. Recreational and convenience amenities include two tennis courts, a ball field, snack bar/grocery and a Laundromat.
The renovated officers' quarters, theater, chapel, gymnasium, barracks and other facilities, as well as a large dining hall with a seating capacity of 400, are available as conference facilities and vacation housing.
The 25 units of vacation housing were originally built for officers and noncommissioned officers at the turn of the century, providing an ideal atmosphere for family vacations and reunions. Most of the houses were completely refurbished in 1975 with carpeting and reproductions of Victorian furniture. Those that have not been refurbished are comfortable, with good beds, and most have fireplaces. All kitchens are fully equipped and large enough to prepare a family holiday dinner. The spacious bedrooms are complete with bed linens and towels. Also available are barracks and dormitories providing housing for up to 365 visitors and a Youth Hostel building.
Park activities are varied and include picnicking, conferences, fishing, boating, scuba diving, arts and crafts, camping, hosteling, hiking, biking, and cultural arts. The park is the base for a number of youth activities.
The climate in this area is influenced by both the Olympic Mountains and the bodies of water that surround the Olympic Peninsula. It is generally a marine climate, mild and temperate, with the Pacific Ocean moderating temperatures throughout the year.
Winters are cool and cloudy with rain and some snow. Maximum winter temperatures are in the mid- to high 40s with minimum temperatures in the mid 30s. Summers are warm and relatively dry with maximum and minimum temperatures in the mid 70s and low 50s, respectively. This area averages 51 inches of precipitation per year.
