Beach Campground — Fort Worden Historical State Park, near Port Townsend, Washington, is a fantastic spot for those who love the ocean and history. This campground offers a unique blend of scenic beauty and rich historical significance, making it a great choice for families and solo adventurers alike.

With spacious sites that allow for some distance between campers, you can enjoy the sound of waves without feeling cramped. Visitors have noted the clean facilities, including well-kept restrooms and showers, which require tokens. One camper mentioned, “Nice and quiet (occasional wave sounds). Very clean campground.” 

The campground is right by the beach, providing easy access to sandy shores and trails for walking and hiking. You can explore the charming downtown Port Townsend nearby, which is packed with history and local attractions. As one reviewer put it, “Scenic beauty, history and lots to do, what's not to love?”

While privacy can be a bit limited, the trade-off is the chance to soak in the stunning views and the fresh sea air. Whether you’re camping in a tent, RV, or cabin, Beach Campground offers a memorable experience with plenty of opportunities for exploration and relaxation.

Campers may enjoy this scenic and historic fort at two delightful campgrounds with 80 campsites that may be reserved up to 9 months in advance. Both campgrounds have restrooms with showers. Maximum site length is 75-feet (limited availability).

Beach campground features 50 full-hookup (water, electric, and sewer) sites tucked between the bluffs and the beaches of Point Wilson. The sites are level, spacious, and open. Most sites have an amazing view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Upper campground features 30 partial-hookup sites with water, electricity, and a sewer dump station nearby. The campsites are mostly forested, some with privacy. They are fairly level, and quite long. This campground offers easy access to miles of trails.

Campsites are popular and fill quickly year-round. Reservations are highly recommended.

Campgrounds convert to winter water after Thanksgiving until before Presidents' Day Weekend (subject to weather). Insulated winter water sources are available in each campground during this time.

Beach Campground — Fort Worden Historical State Park

Port Townsend is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Port Townsend and user-submitted reviews.

Port Townsend

The Best Camping Near Port Townsend, Washington

Great spot to getaway, easy access to beach. Enjoy watching the sunset 

Yearly family getaway

If you like bunkers, canons, and barracks, with a view, then come here.  There is a lighthouse that still functions and plenty of beach access.  You could even play tennis here if you wanted.  

Interesting WWII and sleeping options

This campground has it all and is clean, updated and offering hot private lengthy showers  for when you are done exploring the old interesting ruins of fort activity post WWI, the gorgeous beach walks with amazing rocks and driftwood climbing sculptures, and the awesome village of charmingly decaying dated barracks nearby. There's even a lighthouse and the possibility of whales appearing off the coast to the north. If you are in an RV you get great cable for free from nearby Seattle--just saying!

Incredible adventures, walks, sunsets, ruins, beaches and even a lighthouse!

Lots of fun to walk around and check out the bunkers in the woods and along the beach. Campsites are very nice-with a bathroom in the vacinity.

Not for someone looking for harder hiking or spectacular views from up high.

Chill camping experience

Hang out at the beach or explore the seemingly endless bunkers with amazing views, this place was fantastic with a family. Paved trails are great for little bike riders.

Campsites were average but fairly spacious. What the camp sites lacked the views, bike trails, location and great town of Port Townsend made up for. We are definitely going back!

Best spots are 40-50.

Great camping spot with a family!

Perfect spot to enjoy the Fort and lovely beach. Super dog friendly. Free showers

Gorgeous day on the water

We went to Fort Worden for a little ghost hunting in the bunkers. Stayed in the lovely beach loop and enjoyed beach walks, bunker exploring and cozy campfires! Beautiful Officers Quarters, buildings, bunkers, and views here. The movie An Officer and a Gentleman was filmed here.

Fall at Fort Worden

Fort Worden has been a family favorite since I was a kid and it's awesome now bringing my own kids to camp here. We usually stay in the beach sotes, we love how spacious they are.

Our go to campground

For Worden, an unconventional camping spot, but worth the views and history that surrounds you.

Explore all of the Forts Outbuildings which make a great outlet for the kids to play hide and seek or flashlight tag. Take in the sights of the Antique Lighthouse as you make s’mores on the Beach Firepits.

Among all of the sights and fun that come with camping at Fort Worden there are also plenty of museums and a Marine Science Center for hands-on learning fun for the whole family.

Whether you are into RV camping, day camping, or tent camping, Fort Worden should be on your list!

Fun and Historical 

Our first time at this state park camping. We picked the forest camping because of the trees for our hammocks. Lots of room at our site 79 for camper and truck. Also the fire pit was far enough away from everything no worries of embers on hammocks or camper. The showers were hot but low pressure. It only took two tokens for a quality shower. The only draw back to the camp site was no sewer hook. We enjoyed walking on the beach and hiking around the park to all the Geocache’s. Great food at the guardhouse and the staff is super friendly . 
There is so much to do at this state park from the museum, bunkers to explore and just relaxing. Kids of all ages should do the Junior Ranger program which the Gift Shop has the packets. 

Geocaching Galore 

We camped near the beach at this park. It was beautiful. However, it's sites are not very private. Restrooms are available. There is another campground at this park as well as houses available to rent. The fort is very fun to explore as are the grounds in general. The whole area is very bicycle friendly. We were with a large group of cyclists.

Beautiful State Park

Fort Worden State Park is on the grounds of an old military base and therefore has all of the quirks of its history. This is a popular park and fills up quickly. The camping area is crowded without much to screen you from the other campers, or for that matter the weather. So, If you are looking for privacy you will not likely find it here.

But, you will likely see the greatest sunsets of your life here while standing atop the battlements of an old fort.

Has accommodations for hikers and bikers.

Amazing Sunsets, Crowded at Times

Beautiful views all around! History galore! Nature and trails! Clean areas! Great atmosphere!

Wonderful place! A must see in Wa!

Was quite windy, but lots to do. Museum, Marine life learning center, trails to walk, beach, and of course the old fort Worden remains to explore

Beautiful Water front

I love this place! Camping right at the water or off in the woods. Lots of biking and hiking. A small bar is on site with good food, craft beers, and cocktails. A pier into the sound. Crabbing, bouy anchors. Fort and battery tours. a real gem in Washington. 

Beautiful spot on the peninsula of WA

We camp here at least twice per year. You can reserve online at the state parks website months in advance (dont expect to get in last minute). Currently the upper campground is under construction, so spaces are limited. We love the upper bunkers,  the views,  the beach, and  the history. No water hookups in winter. Great places for all ages!

NW Camping year 'round

This is probably one of the coolest places to visit. It is an old army base with all sorts of bunkers to explorer.  As I Boy Scout, this was one of our favorite places to camp each year. On top of the hill are bunkers that stretch probably a quarter-mile and are perfect for playing an ultimate game of capture the flag.

  

There is also beach access and plenty of historic buildings to check out. They have two campgrounds, one down by the beach and the other up top.

Lots of Fun and History

We spend the entire weekend here camping, $50 per night for an electric &amp; water site, the bathrooms are clean and there’s always one close. We could spend so many more hours exploring the buildings and beaches! Also saw so much wildlife: otters, deer, crab (lots of baby crabs everywhere!!) and starfish 

love love love!

We've been going to Ft. Worden for many years.  Most recently we went camping in Nov 2019 for some cold winter fun.  They had not yet turned off the water, so we had full hookups.  

  

Here's the link to the friends of Ft. Worden site showing a map of the trails and campground sites.

  

[https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bc60aff11f7844e8339e840/t/5d517ecfd9c69300011d19e0/1565621974340/PadMap\_Trails\_06.18.2019.pdf](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bc60aff11f7844e8339e840/t/5d517ecfd9c69300011d19e0/1565621974340/PadMap_Trails_06.18.2019.pdf)  

  

Here's a link to the WA State Parks Map for Campsites at Ft. Worden.

  

[https://www.parks.state.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/1873/Fort-Worden-State-Park---camping-PDF](https://www.parks.state.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/1873/Fort-Worden-State-Park---camping-PDF)

Great even in the winter!

We got a hiker/biker spot late at night, ranger was friendly and we slept on the beach. Perfect for rolling in from the ferry!

Great spot on the shore

A quick ferry ride from Edmonds and less than an hour from Kingston. Very spacious campsites but zero privacy.  Being close to the beach and trails was nice. So many places to explore around the old military fort. Also spent an afternoon in Port Townsend which is a fun little town. We will definitely be back. 

Fun place to camp 

It’s always a lovely place to visit, but it’s off season... the camping costs the same $45.00 (on the beach as the camping in the woods is closed).  The water is turned off, but there is sewer and power.  NO privacy, and it’s always so windy. But there is a lot of cool history here, and the officer and a gentleman was filmed too.  Bring a flashlight and take a hike.

Love it... but it’s not worth the $45.00

This part is in Port Townsend which is a beautiful town. The park  is on the ocean which is great for walking in the sand , it does mean however that the wind can be vicious  in early spring. We were glad we were in a our small RV rather than tent camping. There are beautiful big homes for rent for groups.

Fort Worden State Park

This is one of two campgrounds at Fort Worden, which I prefer over the upper (Forest) campground. This is one of those campgrounds that gets big points for its location and views, and not so much for its privacy or beauty. It's a long, flat, open area along the beach and mixed in with the beach vegetation. The sites are pretty close together, so you don't get a lot of privacy. You do have the beach, lots of trails, a scenic lighthouse and that salt sea air. You do get lots of fog in the morning sometimes, and a pretty steady breeze off the water. You need a Discover Pass for day use. These are required at pretty much all county and state campgrounds in Washington State. They cost $30 per year.

Right along the beach 

Fun and safe campground. Near the beach with a small aquarium open on the weekend. The family had a blast.

Great place for the kids

I enjoyed this campground.  The only negative is the lack of any privacy.  To be fair, there is quite a bit of space between campsites, so it didn't feel too bad.

The trade off is the endless opportunity for walking, hiking and learning the history of the area.

Charming Downtown Port Townsend is close by and a true National Historic resource!  A "must visit"!

Our campsite was clean and had some view of the water.  we were next to the trash enclosure but it was not "offensive".  

A beautiful area!

Scenic beauty, history and lots to do, what's not to love?

Camped from Sunday to Tuesday. 2/6-2/8/22. Quiet, showers, beach. 

Fort warden 

So I actually work for fort worden hospitality. And I’ve noticed you guys have tent cabins on the list even though our tent cabins are still in the process of being built. And are unavailable for use due to not being completed in the timely fashion due to funding constraints 

Fort Worden state park

Nice and quiet (occasional wave sounds). Very clean campground. No real privacy by the spots are spaced quite a bit apart. Restrooms are very clean. Showers require tokens. We will definitely be back. 

Beautiful Stay With A Rich History

Jan 24-26, 2025
We went for a winter meet-up with my local teardrop trailer group.  As mentioned in other reviews, the beach campground is very open with little privacy between spots, but there is quite a bit of space.  The first night there were a few gusts of wind that shook the trailer, but it died down.  The second night there was no wind.  We had beautifully clear skies and little light pollution so it was really nice for stargazing.  There are two gun batteries right next to the campground and a trail right out to the beach.  You are also close to the Point Wilson Lighthouse.  Even in winter, the park was busy with people during the day and the campground was full.  There is so much to explore, I wish I'd had more time there.

Winter camping

Fantastic campsite with a very friendly atmosphere. 

Being right on the beach is fantastic, and well worth the slightly higher cost. 

Great spot!

Great coastal views and beach walks with lighthouse and pier access. Possibility to rent kayaks. Clean modern restrooms. Excellent hot showers. Paved level sites and most have good separation. Quiet. Highly recommend.

Photos of Beach Campground — Fort Worden Historical State Park

Real photos from real campers