Point Wilson, Coastal navigation point in Port Townsend, United States.
Point Wilson is a headland extending half a mile into the water at the junction of Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The site is now part of Fort Worden Historical State Park and features a 1913 lighthouse, historic military buildings, and interpretive displays covering maritime navigation and coastal ecology.
A lighthouse was first built here in 1879 to guide ships through this critical maritime passage. The United States Lighthouse Service replaced it with the current structure in 1913 to improve navigation safety for the expanding shipping traffic.
The indigenous Chimakum and S'Klallam peoples called this location Kam-kam-ho and Kam-Kum, names reflecting their ancestral ties to these coastal waters. Visitors can learn about this indigenous connection through displays and plaques throughout the park grounds.
The visitor areas are accessible and offer walking paths with views of the waterways and surrounding grounds. Weather can change quickly here, so wearing layers and preparing for wind gusts is recommended for any visit.
A weather station on the grounds continuously collects data that is crucial for ships navigating the sharp bend into Puget Sound's main shipping channel. This real-time information helps ensure safe passage for the many vessels that regularly pass through these waters.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
