Port Townsend

Discover the authentic charm of Port Townsend, Washington’s Victorian Seaport, with its maritime heritage, still alive today. The Victorian architecture, beautiful setting, stunning mountain and water views, unique shops and galleries, great restaurants, music and arts programs, and the excellent weather within the rain shadow of Olympic Mountain Range, all combine to make this a very special place with an active outdoor community.

The town is host to many local events such as the annual Rhododendron Festival, the Rhody Run, Rhody Cycling Tour, Wooden Boat Festival and one-of-a-kind Race to Alaska. There are summer music events sponsored by Centrum, the Port Townsend Film Festival, and the weekly Farmers Market.
Several State Parks are close by, providing camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and access to fishing, boating, kayaking, and some great beachcombing. Camp within the tall timber or stay in the original officers quarters at Fort Worden, where the movie “An Officer & a Gentleman” was filmed, or at Fort Flagler State Park with stunning views over the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Port Townsend has a rich history of discovery, growth, boom and bust, and although the early dreams of a major Puget Sound seaport failed to materialize here at the end of the 19th century, the rail line between Port Angeles and Port Townsend continued in use until 1985. It had the distinction of being the only railroad in the nation whose schedule was determined by the tides, as the freight cars were loaded onto barges to be towed across Puget Sound.

The abandoned rail corridor now provides the excellent, easy trail route for much of the Olympic Discovery Trail on its way westward from here through the towns of Sequim and Port Angeles and further westward to the Pacific Ocean at the village of La Push. Join the fun in picturesque Port Townsend at the start of your adventure across the Olympic Peninsula on the Olympic Discovery Trail. Port Townsend was the birthplace of the concept of the Olympic Discovery Trail, and the trail begins its westward journey across the Olympic Peninsula right here at the waterfront on Puget Sound.

For lodging and additional information for Port Townsend the following sites may be a good place to look. Jefferson County Chamber, City of Port Townsend and Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau
For a summarized list of camping possibilities see our Camping Page in this section.