- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Fort Worden State Park
Rating Details »
200 Battery Way
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 344-4400
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 344-4400
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
15 reviews for Fort Worden State Park
Fort Worden is an easy stroll from my house in Port Townsend. And such a stroll it is!
I walked there last Sunday, leaving midmorning and arriving home for a late lunch. This is the path I took...and yes, it *is* a bit like following Alice down into the rabbits warren.
Skittered out my backdoor, through the woods. Headed to the Jefferson County fairgrounds where adults were teaching English riding to a small group of kids. All were dressed to the nines as though they were about to follow the hounds.
Walked through the North beach neighborhood to the beach and followed the sloping pathway up through meadows past the Chinese Gardens. Paused briefly at several well-maintained batteries. (Sorry, folks, no felons luring about, only the occasional tourist with camera.)
Headed upward toward the Memory's Vault. (This being an amazing poetry-filled site which deserves its own review.) Ran happily down the hill into the flatness of Fort Worden proper...each Officer's Home ready to be rented out to visitors for a month or a day. Wandered over to the quaint building which houses Copper Canyon Press. (You don't know Copper Canyon Press? Shame on you, Google it immediately.)
Headed back toward home on a lower pathway, past deer and bird. A Great Blue Heron lifted off from the Chinese Gardens as I passed. Followed the same path home, arriving (as I have said) in time to rustle up a cup of clam chowder.
The weather? Slightly foggy, then breezy, then warm and clear. Spent the late afternoon drinking wine on our porch...with a warmish breeze sending cedar sprays out over the September landscape.
Nary a felon aboot...unless you count an early evening coyote or two. But then, those critters *do* sing for their supper!
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Funny (5)
- Cool (6)
We passed through Port Townsend on our way to somewhere else, but came back to check it out. Fort Worden was so nice, and not at all busy for labour day weekend!
Our kids loved the marine science lessons, and we enjoyed the military history exhibits.
Very cool spot to visit, easy to navigate and excellent for families. The view alone is worth the ride from British Columbia.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
I was here twice last winter and many times before.
I am always graced with pleasure, calm and a lightening of spirit when I go here.
It is a medium sized park. Beach, large trees, hills of grass, secret places to explore. .. The old fort barracks are still there, much updated, of course. There is a tasteful hostel, which I staye din years ago when I helped with a track teacm summer camp. I expect to stay ther eagain and shall likely be very surprised at changes.
The small snack shop offers local an das much organic features as possible.
The Madrona Mind Body Institute is on the grounds (see separate review). It is a renovated and remodeled gym/building by much sweat/love and energy. This institute houses a beautiful studio with many dance, NIA and yoga classes and more. I return as much as possible for classes there.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
Saw 4th of July fireworks show here and loved it! Washington State does the 4th right!
I just visited recently, and had as much fun exploring the bunkers at age 30 as I did at age 10. Bring some good flashlights, a jacket, and maybe some galoshes if you're at all interested in spelunking in these century-old military ruins. We are really lucky to have something like this accessible to the public; it's a part of history that you can touch and explore without any do-not-touch signs. It's also in a really great setting, with woods and shoreline and beautiful views from up on the bluff. Be prepared to do a little hiking around if you want to see all the bunkers.
Great for adults and kids who like to explore, but keep an eye on the little ones.
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Funny (3)
- Cool (3)
Gorgeous state park - nice place to spend the afternoon with the girls. Should have planned better and brought all the accoutraments that you need for a day at the beach. Thought it looked familiar - then remembered it was "An Officer and a Gentlemen" was filmed. Look forward to going back.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
A perfect place to spend that sunny summer day that we all waited so long for.
Just let me say that I was a HUGE Richard Gere fan in high school so I was a little surprised that I hadn't made the trek out here before to stand where HE once stood. But, as far as I can remember, I never did.
It's really a beautiful park and that view of Baker can't be beat!
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (2)
A truly great state park. Something for everyone here from beach camping to cabin rentals. Set aside at least a full afternoon for exploring the bunkers...they are amazing!
I attended a wedding here and it was a delightful location. They have something like a grange hall for the ceremony, and a great hall with really yummy food services for the reception.
I highly recommend checking this place out. I suspect it is less crowded outside of summer, though.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (3)
I love this place mainly because of the Kinze artillery battery. It is a big concrete bunker with a maze of tunnels, multiple stairs, a lookout station, and a great view of the Admiralty.
There is so much to do and see here. The Fort Worden lighthouse is beautiful and there is a museum, places to stay at the officer's houses, as well as concerts. The Centrum arts organization put on FREE concerts every friday at Fort Worden during the summer. They also put on festivals, have art, music and writing residencies and put on fiddle and jazz festivals too (http://www.centrum.org...).
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Cool (3)
'Officer and a Gentleman' was filmed here. Beautiful, beautiful place. Alot of officer homes are renovated for viewing pleasure. There's quite a few museums here. Beautiful landscaping. Campsites, etc.
An easy way to spend the day.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
We stayed mid-week in August and the place was deserted. That was fine with me, as it was incredibly peaceful. We stayed in Alexander's Castle, a must if you have 1 or 2 children (max 2 people but we had 3 and no one evicted us). The castle is said to be haunted and, with no TV anywhere at Fort Worden, ghost stories and board games at night were a wonderful break from blaring TV and the horrible Xbox. My 2 disgruntled teens had a good time, despite their attempts to be jaded. The grounds are great to explore, and it's a beautiful walk down to the light house. You can spend a day, or two, exploring Port Townsend, and retire in the evening to the silent tranquility of the multiple different types of Ft. Worden accommodations (cabin, castle, beach house, officer's quarters). I wish we'd had 2 more days to spend so that we could have gone whale watching and spend some weekend time at the park, as apparently there are lighthouse tours and concerts on the weekends. GREAT place to go with kids, especially boys.
People thought this was:
- Funny (1)
I LOVE this place! We usually stay here at least
three times a year.
We have a Northern Lite Truck/Camper and enjoy the campsites
near the beach. Lots of level sites and some good pull throughs, too.
The amenities cannot be beat as shore power, sewer, and water
are right at your site! If you are an RV'er this is luxury. Plenty of
space between the camp sites on the beach.
Upper campground has a few good sites, and if you check the campground map you'll see which ones are private and which
ones are "open" and lack privacy.
The view of the lighthouse is terrific as is the beach. Hey, there is
even cell phone coverage!
This is a wonderful place for cycling. We always take our bikes and
ride the easy trails, but there are more challenging ones if you are
up for them. Lots and lots to do, especially with Port Townsend
within a stone's throw. The Common Grounds coffee shop is
terrific to stop by to get a latte, mocha, sandwich, etc.
The bunkers, the officers' quarters, and everything else makes you feel
like you've stepped back into time. And of course, one of my favorite movies "An Officer and a Gentleman" was filmed here.
Summer time it is packed with families, kids, dogs, bikes. Can be
rather noisy and overly busy, little privacy, but then again, if you are
a family with kids it is absolutely perfect. The kids will love it.
If you want quiet, solitude, and privacy, then camp there when
school is in session.
It is a bit pricier as an RV'er to stay here ($38/night beach site)but well
worth it. This is a classy campground!
Littleleers 8/23/08
Seattle
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
Fort Worden is very similar to the Presidio, except there are ALLOT of retirees. The campground is packed with RV's and the walk-in sites are home to escape convicts. My buddy and I were so sketched out (though being a bit sketchy ourselves) we headed over to the campground at the fairgrounds and didn't have to hear about last nights 8-ball and how to get 100 from a "buddy" forcefully.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (1)
Did you see 'An Officer and a Gentleman'? If not, where have you been? Anyway, this is where it was filmed, and that's not the only good reason to visit. The place is enormous and exploring the old bunkers and the beach and historic buildings is a good start. I went to soccer camp here as a teenager and slept in the old dormitories and loved every minute. Campsites are decent too, many right by the beach, and there's a Canteen to eat at. Lots of hiking, spectacular views, history everywhere - pretty much my idea of heaven. This is one of the best places to go family camping in the state.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
Stated here back in 03' with the parential units. You can stay in the old dorms or rent the old officers quarters. We rented one of the Officers houses. They're really quite old, but you get the house. 2-3 bedrooms, formal dinning, living room, kitchen, washer and dryers. When we were there is was $149 a night, that didn't seem too shabby to me. I think it's a great spot on the the Fort grounds. Plus you can walk to the bunkers and go exploring, just watch your step, that might not be a puddle of water. Stupid punk kids.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)