Fort Worden

Fort Worden is a historic fortification in Port Townsend, Washington, covering roughly 430 acres (175 hectares) on a high point overlooking the strait. The grounds hold old concrete gun batteries, long bunkers, red brick administrative buildings, and housing for military personnel, scattered across the entire peninsula.

The Army began constructing the fortifications in the late 19th century to defend naval installations and cities around Puget Sound. Most of the guns were removed after World War II when military strategy shifted and modern threats made the old coastal defenses obsolete.

The barracks and old officers' quarters still stand and show how life in a coastal military garrison once looked. Visitors can walk through the historic buildings and imagine how soldiers and their families lived and worked here, right by the water with views across the strait.

A day pass for vehicles is required, but entry on foot or by bicycle is free. The roads and trails are mostly flat and easy to walk, with enough signage to guide you between the different areas of the site.

Some of the underground gun rooms have echoes you can hear when speaking or walking inside. The thick concrete walls and vaulted ceilings were built for storage and protection, but today they create unexpected sounds in the empty corridors.

Location: Port Townsend

Operator: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

Opening Hours: 06:30-dusk

Website: http://parks.wa.gov/511/Fort-Worden

GPS coordinates: 48.13975,-122.76586

Latest update: December 20, 2025 13:41