Press Release

November 18, 2025

Limited lodging service temporary return to Fort Worden Historic Campus

Media contact

Name Sarah Fronk
Department Communications
Email media@parks.wa.gov
A view from a hill of a military fort, a beach and green trees
Fort Worden Historical State Park campus view from Artillery Hill hike.

Washington State Parks will offer limited lodging accommodations at Fort Worden Historical State Park for select weeks through the end of the year. 

This pilot program is a key step in bringing back some of the services the public enjoyed as part of the historic upper campus of the park.  

Lodging will be available for three weeks:  

  • Thanksgiving: Nov. 21-30 
  • Christmas: Dec. 19-28 
  • New Year’s: Dec. 28-Jan. 4  

“We know how important Fort Worden is to the community of Port Townsend and the place it holds in the hearts and memories of many Washingtonians,” Chris Holm, Campus Business Manager for Fort Worden operations, said. “People are eager to see us bring back hospitality services and this limited-service offering lets us fulfill that wish while also helping us understand how sustainable this model could be for the future.”

Exterior of historic officer's house surrounded by trees
Exterior of a historic officer's house surrounded by trees.

Available holiday lodging options 

Guests will be able to rent several historic campus buildings for overnight stays, all of which are equipped with full kitchens capable of cooking holiday meals.   

Rentable vacation homes include:

  • Historic Officers Quarters   
    • Commander’s duplex with six bedrooms on each side 
    • Colonel's duplex with four bedrooms on each side 
    • Admiral's large single house with five bedrooms    
  • Historic Non-Commissioned Officers Quarters   
    • Sergeant's large single house with five bedrooms    
    • Corporal's duplex with two bedrooms on each side   
  • Alexander’s Castle, a one bedroom/honeymoon suite
  • Bliss Vista, a one bedroom/honeymoon suite
  • The Lofts, a fourplex with two-, three- and four-bedroom options
  • The Reunion House, a large group facility with 14 rooms  

The standard seven-day reservation cut-off window is temporarily waived for the week of Thanksgiving. Reservations can be made up to three days before arrival.

State Parks will oversee the management of lodging services, including facility operations, guest services, maintenance, safety and security.    

Following the holiday pilot, State Parks will evaluate successes, challenges and areas for potential improvement that will help inform future planning.  

Lodging reservations can be made online or by calling our reservations call center at (888) 226-7688. 

Living Room decorated in Victorian-era furniture with light streaming through the window
The living room in the Commander's duplex.

Campus drinks and dining 

The Commons Building lobby also reopened to the public on Nov. 12. It offers a casual indoor gathering space with seating around a gas fireplace.  

Fort Worden visitors can also enjoy several campus concessions. Offerings include:  

  • Taps at the Guardhouse  
    • Full menu of snacks, salads and meals as well as wine, beer and craft cocktails
    • Live music plays on select evenings
    • Tuesday-Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.   
  • Gypsy Coffee Mobile Coffee House  
    • Coffee, espresso, chai
    • Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.   
  • Cable House Canteen  
    • Beach gear, gifts, drinks, snacks and kayak/SUP rentals
    • Thursday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.   
  • Planted at Reveille  
    • Plant-based meals, espresso, organic smoothies, baked goods
    • Open daily 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Holiday hours and availability may vary. 

A historic military battery on a sunny day with wind-swept Douglas fir trees in the foreground
Battery Kinzie at Fort Worden Historical State Park is located near the Beach Campground, Beach Trail, Knapp Circle Trail and an accessible trail — all with beautiful views of Puget Sound at Fort Casey State Park across the water.

More to explore at Fort Worden

Fort Worden is part of the group of forts once known as the “Triangle of Fire,” which also includes Fort Flagler and Fort Casey state parks. While exploring the park, visitors can take in stunning views of Admiralty Inlet at the entrance to Puget Sound from several of its historic gun batteries.   

On a clear day, Mt. Baker makes its appearance to the northeast and Vancouver Island announces itself to the northwest and Fort Casey stands guard just across the water to the east.    

There are more than 12 miles of trails to explore along the park’s sandy beaches and forested cliffs of Artillery Hill. Be on the lookout for black-tailed deer, harbor seals, sea otters, barred owls and bald eagles. It's also possible to spot whales and orca passing through the inlet from the shore. 

Background

In 2013, State Parks issued a 50-year lease to the Fort Worden Public Development Authority to manage and operate the 90-acre upper campus of the park. In 2022, under a concession agreement with the PDA, Fort Worden Hospitality was established to provide hospitality services for the upper campus, which includes vacation and event rentals as well as food and beverage services at the park.    

However, following some financial challenges in recent years, Fort Worden Hospitality ceased operations in January 2025, and, in February 2025, State Parks officially terminated the PDA’s lease and reestablished its operation of the upper campus of the park.  

Since this transition, the campgrounds in the park have remained open, but roofed accommodations have been closed.    

Learn more about the history and work to date here.