Discover summer fun at Fort Worden, Fort Flagler and Fort Townsend

PORT TOWNSEND – Summer is packed with fun activities and programs for the whole family at Fort Worden, Fort Flagler and Fort Townsend this summer. 

Join the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission for free interpretive walks, evening programs, pop-up exhibits and museum tours. 

From grandparents to little ones, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the forts. Military history buffs have the opportunity to tour the batteries by flashlight, see old spotlights in action and explore the historic structures. Kids can also spend their summer learning outdoors with one of the forts’ Junior Ranger programs. 

Visitors can also head over to one of the historic museums to learn more about the history of these significant places. This summer, Fort Flagler’s Historical Museum is open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fort Worden’s Commanding Officer’s Quarters is open Friday to Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Interpretive walks 

If you’re curious about the difference between batteries and bunkers, head to Fort Worden on Sundays at 2 p.m. There you can join Parks staff for a half-mile Artillery Hill tour and learn about how all of these structures were used. Though the walk is short, it includes stairs and passes through the dark historical structures. It is recommended to wear closed-toed shoes and bring flashlights and water. Tours are first come, first served and limited to 25 people. 

Visit Fort Flagler on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays for a Historic Hospital Tour at 11:30 a.m. or for a Historic Gun Emplacements Tour at 3:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to step back in time and explore the first floor of a 1905 military hospital, tour gun emplacements and see projectile lifts and sliding targets in action. Both tours begin at the Fort Flager Park Museum and are limited to 25 people. The Historic Gun Emplacements tour covers 1.5 miles, so please wear comfortable shoes and bring a flashlight and water.  

If you’re interested in walking a few trails and learning about how the fort transitioned from a military base to a park, head to Fort Townsend for a half-mile guided walk, “From Fort to Forest,” with an interpretive ranger. These tours will be hosted at 2 p.m. on July 6 and 20, and Aug. 3, 17, and 31. They are first come, first served and limited to 10 people.  

“I’m excited we're offering guided walks at all three of our busiest parks this year,” Interpretive Specialist Kelsey Lang said. “We had an amazing turn out for Fort Townsend’s First Day Hike, so we hope that those who couldn’t join us on New Year's will be able to join us this summer.” 

Evening programs 

If you’re looking to beat the midday heat (and the crowds), head to Fort Worden and Fort Flagler for a few evening programs. 

At 7 p.m. on Fridays, staff offer one of three rotating programs at Battery Stoddard, including “Evolution of the Forts,” “The Fort through the Ages” and “Women of the Fort.” 

Over at Fort Flagler, come see a working 60-inch searchlight in action and learn how the advancement of electricity assisted the Coast Artillery Corps in their mission to protect Puget Sound. This program is offered on Aug. 22 at 8:15 p.m. and again on Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. 

Calling all Junior Rangers 

On Saturdays at 11:00 a.m., children ages four to 12 are encouraged to grab their adults and explore Fort Flager for Junior Ranger programing. Though these programs are geared toward our younger visitors, anyone is welcome to attend. The fun continues on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. at Battery Stoddard in Fort Worden.  

Junior Rangers will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of programs, including: 

• Wildlife Detectives 
• What is a fort? 
• How do birds get their names? 
• The Disappearing Gun 
• Junior Preservationists 

“This year, I am excited to offer indoor Junior Ranger programs at Fort Worden’s Battery Stoddard,” Lang said. “Fort Worden staff and volunteers from our Friends group have worked hard to repaint and prep the space for indoor programs this summer.” 

Learn more 

Check out the Parks events calendar for the full list of offerings at Fort Worden, Fort Flagler and Fort Townsend.