OLD FORT TOWNSEND STATE PARK
This 367-acre marine camping park features 3,960 feet of saltwater shoreline on Port Townsend Bay. The heavily wooded park has a rich military history dating from pioneer days.
The park consists of slighty more than a third of the orginal Fort Townsend built in 1856 by the U.S. Army for the protection of settlers. Timbers were hewn and laths cut from the forests of the vicinity. The fort was closed between 1859 and 1874 for being "unfit," after an inspection by the commander of the army headquarters in Columbia. Brought back to life in 1874, the fort thrived until 1895 when fire destroyed the barracks. The property was used as an enemy-munitions defusing station during World War II. State Parks took custody of the premises in 1953.
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the
Discover Pass web page.
Camping Fees : Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).
Standard campsite, $15.
Utility campsite, $21.
Primitive campsite (accessible by motorized/non-motorized vehicles) and for water trail camping, $10
An additional $3 fee (standard) or $5 fee (utility) may be charged for select premium campsites at some parks.
Maximum eight people per campsite.
Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.
Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.
More about park hours : Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Length of stay: you may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park during the summer; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
Campsite Information : The park has 40 campsites, one dump station, two restrooms and one shower. Maximum site length is 40 feet (may have limited availability).
Group Accommodations : The park provides a group camp that accommodates up to 80 people. Fees vary with size of the group. For information, contact the park at 1-888-CAMPOUT.
Buoys lie one mile south of Glenn Cove on the west side of Port Townsend Bay. The nearest launch ramps are at Port Townsend, Fort Flagler, and Hadlock.
Moorage fees are charged year-round for mooring at docks, floats and buoys from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m.:
-Daily moorage fee is 50 cents per foot, with a minimum of $10.
-Moorage buoys, $10 a night.
-Annual moorage permit fee is $3.50 per foot, with a minimum of $50.
Moorage permits are available at parks offering moorage. For information, call (360) 902-8844. Telephone Device for the Deaf, (360) 664-3133.