Fort Worden State Park is one in every of my favorite places to take my dogs when visiting Port Townsend, Washington.
With a wealthy history, over 430 acres of land crisscrossed by miles of trails, and over 2 miles of saltwater shoreline, it’s an important place to play and calm down together with your dog.
Note: You will have a Discover Pass to park anywhere inside Fort Warden State Park.
The History of Fort Worden State Park
100 years ago, Fort Worden was home to just about 1,000 troops and officers training to defend the Puget Sound from potential enemy invaders.
Constructed between 1898 and 1920, Fort Worden is an element of the “Triangle of Fire”, together with Fort Flagler and Fort Casey, along the doorway of Admiralty Inlet used to guard Puget Sound from invasion by sea.
Fort Worden was one in every of the biggest Endicott Period (1890-1910) forts to be built and a rare example of a post built in keeping with the precepts of the Endicott Board on land not already occupied by an existing fortification.
The forts never fired a hostile shot, and lots of the guns were removed during World War I to be used in Europe; all remaining now-obsolete guns were scrapped during World War II.
The oldest constructing on the post is Alexander’s Castle, a brick residence inbuilt 1883 by Reverend John Barrow Alexander (1850-1930) which pre-dates the military presence.
Source: Wikipedia
Are Dogs Allowed at Fort Worden?
Yes, Fort Worden is dog friendly.
Dogs are allowed almost all over the place within the park, aside from energetic buildings and museums, including all trails and beaches.
Dogs are allowed within the concrete military bunker and battery structures and there are various large, front-facing rooms you possibly can enter safely together with your dog.
Several of the bunkers have narrow tunnels between the partitions that could be explored but beware – a number of the tunnels are flooded with water, some have metal and glass (from vandals) on the ground, and plenty of dogs are scared by the dark and loud echoes of your footsteps.
On the very least, bring a headlamp and be prepared to show around in case your dog starts feeling uncomfortable.
Things to Do With Your Dog at Fort Worden State Park
There are over 11 miles of dog friendly climbing trails, including, 2.6 miles of ADA climbing trails, at Fort Worden.
You and your dog could literally spend all day walking across the park.
For those who hike up onto the bluff, you possibly can see the remnants of many 100-year-old military bunkers.
Certainly one of my favorite climbing routes within the park begins all the way down to the beach near the lighthouse (I leave my vehicle there).
Then walk west along the beach to North Beach.
Once at North Beach, I wander further west in the hunt for sea glass if time and the tide allows (watch the tide closely so that you don’t get stuck).
If I don’t have time, or after I’m done beachcombing, I head back into Fort Worden via the North Beach Trail.
The route I take over the bluff varies depending on how far I need to walk, which bunkers and batteries I need to see, and which route I took last time (I attempt to take a special one every time).
Sometimes I hang a left and walk along Searchlight Road and the Bluff Trail to soak up spectacular views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Other times I proceed around to the precise until I intersect Gun Line road and hike as much as what I feel are probably the most spectacular historic military gun batteries at Fort Worden.
Irrespective of which route I take, my ultimate destination is the (somewhat steep) Beach Campground Trail where I can walk back all the way down to the beach where my automotive is parked.
This route could be as short as 4 miles to six miles or more.
If climbing or walking long distances will not be your thing, you possibly can play on the beach together with your dog or sit and watch the birds and boats go by.
For the most effective views of the lighthouse, take the short walk over the sand dunes to the beach. You’ll be able to see it from the top of Harbor Defense Way in case you just need to drive there and snap a number of pictures though.
For those who still need to see one in every of the old concrete military structures, you possibly can access the Battery Kinzie from a parking zone near the beach campground.
Due to the easy accessibility, this bunker has been vandalized greater than the others but it surely remains to be really neat.
Where to Stay at Fort Worden With Your Dog
Whether you’re searching for camping or luxury, some solo accommodations or to bring the entire family, Fort Worden has something for you.
Hotel-Type Rentals
Much of the Victorian-era military housing within the park has been restored and could be rented. 4 units are dog friendly and may accommodate 2-6 people.
The dog friendly rental units are:
- Bandmaster’s House
- Corporal’s Duplex
- Quartermaster’s Cottage
- Colonel’s Duplex
The worth ranges from $170-$460 (excluding taxes) per night plus an extra $30 per pet per night. The limit is 2 dogs but there is no such thing as a weight restriction.
Fort Worden Campgrounds
There are two campgrounds at Fort Worden State Park.
The Forest Campground is near the essential entrance to the park and tucked behind the essential constructing complex.
The Beach Campground is situated down by the beach and is adjoining to the lighthouse.
Camping fees range from $30-$45 per night. Additional vehicles will need a Discover Pass to park at your campsite.
Click here for campground reservations.
Note: Reservations for either campground often need to be made as much as a yr prematurely. It’s just a little easer to search out an available on-site house to rent but reservations still likely have to be made months prematurely.
Dog Friendly Restaurants Near Fort Worden State Park
Many of the concessions inside Fort Worden State Park are only open seasonally.
If you occur to be visiting when it’s open, the Reveille offers a grab and go menu of drinks, soup, sandwiches, and pastries Monday through Friday 9 am to 2 pm.
You’ll be able to grab a fast snack and sit on one in every of the constructing steps to enjoy or carry it as much as one in every of the bunkers, or a the beach, for an impromptu picnic.
The Cablehouse Canteen is a general store and beachside snack shack open in the summertime (currently closed until May 2021).
Here you possibly can get lunch fare like hamburgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, in addition to to-go beer, to take to the beach.
For a more reliable source of noms (not only seasonal), head into town and eat at one in every of the various dog friendly restaurants in Port Townsend.
