| Old Fort Townsend State Park is a 367-acre marine camping park that 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 provides ball fields and a children's play area. Bicycles are permitted on some of the hiking trails. 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. The park consists of slighty more than a third of the original Fort Townsend built in 1856 by the U.S. Army for the protection of settlers. In addition to several hiking trails which wind through the park, a historical walk starts at the large display board. A nature walk commences across the road from the display board. Two small shelters along the cliff are available to park users on a first-come, first-served basis. Old Fort Townsend has 40 standard camping sites, each with a table and fireplace. There are showers in the upper campground restroom. Pit toilets and water are also available. A trailer dump is located to the left of the entrance to the main park area. A large kitchen shelter may be reserved for organized day groups. There is also a large area in the park that may be reserved by organized camping groups. Activities enjoyed in the park include camping, picnicking, enjoying scenic views, boating, nature walks and historic walks. 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. |
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