Jefferson County: Forts, Museums and Nature Trails
Accommodation in Jefferson County
Jefferson County combines impressive military history with forests, beaches, bays and extensive trails. Particularly striking is the contrast between historic sites along the water and quiet landscapes inland. Port Townsend is one of only three Victorian seaports in the National Register of Historic Places.
Discover Historic Forts and Museums
The region’s history can be experienced in several places and in very different ways. Fort Townsend was established on October 26, 1856, by order of Lieutenant Colonel Silas Casey. Today, Fort Townsend Historical State Park encompasses 6.5 miles of hiking trails and provides access to the beach at Port Townsend Bay. At the same time, the wooded former military site retains its historic character.
Fort Flagler includes many original military buildings dating from around the turn of the 20th century. These include gun batteries, quarters for noncommissioned officers and a hospital. The Fort Flagler Museum is housed in the historic Quartermaster Storehouse and conveys the strategic role of the Coast Artillery Corps as well as the everyday lives of soldiers in the early 20th century. Trails along the beach and through wooded areas complement the cultural and historical visit. The park offers views of the Olympic Mountains, the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound.
Fort Worden also overlooks Admiralty Inlet at the entrance to Puget Sound. The site has 12 miles of hiking trails. The Commanding Officer’s Quarters Museum presents the life of an officer and his family in the 20th century. Rothschild House preserves the original furnishings, personal belongings and atmosphere of a bygone era as an authentic time capsule. This allows families with different interests to combine a day of historical stories with another day of outdoor activity.
Water, Forests and Trails
The 7.3-mile, non-motorized, multi-use Larry Scott Memorial Trail runs from Port Townsend Boat Haven to Milo Curry Road in the Four Corners area at Discovery Bay. It is the first section of the Olympic Discovery Trail, which is intended to connect Jefferson County with the Pacific Ocean via Sequim, Port Angeles and Forks. The first section of the Rick Tollefson Trail connects HJ Carroll Park with Old Hadlock Road.
Anderson Lake State Park offers hiking, horseback riding and cycling trails. The landscape includes cedar, fir and alder forests, a freshwater marsh and a lake where numerous birds and other wildlife can be found. For a shorter trail option, consider the Ludlow Falls Interpretive Trail: the loop is half a mile long and leads to a waterfall with interpretive signs. Olympic National Park offers more than 600 miles of hiking trails; 95 percent of the park is designated as wilderness. The Queets area contains a glacier-carved rainforest valley.
The Mystery Bay State Park on the western side of Marrowstone Island offers a special perspective on the water. The park can be reached by land or boat, offers water-based activities and has a single-lane boat launch. These details can help determine the preferred focus when searching for a vacation rental or vacation home: should the emphasis be on historic sites, hiking trails, cycling routes or excursions on the water?
Regional Experiences and Getting There
The local atmosphere also includes culinary and community offerings. Finnriver offers tasting tours with samples of its ciders and fruit wines; optional tours of the organic orchard or cider barn are also available. The Chimacum Farmers Market takes place on Sundays from June through October. A newly designed museum brings together art, history and community stories in a thematically cohesive space.
Jefferson County can be reached by car, boat or chartered seaplane. Washington State Ferries operate the Port Townsend–Coupeville ferry route. When choosing your accommodation, it is therefore worth first determining the desired mix of culture, nature, water and excursions. For further orientation, you can compare the places Port Townsend, Marrowstone, Port Hadlock-Irondale, Chimacum and Port Ludlow.
For the broader travel overview: Washington.
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