Fort Flagler State Park

Park Historic coastal fort turned state park

On Marrowstone Island at Admiralty Inlet, Fort Flagler offers campsites, waterfront trails and preserved coastal batteries with wide views over the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Main image

Fort Flagler State Park is a Washington State park on Marrowstone Island at the entrance to Admiralty Inlet, near Port Townsend. The site occupies the grounds of a former coastal artillery fort with preserved batteries and military structures.

The park’s main attractions are the preserved concrete gun batteries and magazines, historic barracks and parade ground, plus shoreline camping and miles of saltwater frontage for beach access and tidepooling. Interpretive signage explains the fort’s role within Puget Sound’s defenses.

Constructed as a coastal defense installation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the fort later passed to state control and was converted to park use while retaining many original structures. Military facilities remain prominent landscape features.

Situated on Marrowstone Island on the northeast side of Puget Sound, the park is adjacent to Admiralty Inlet and is near the town of Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula side of the inlet.

  • Triangle of coastal forts: Part of a coastal defense network that included Fort Worden and Fort Casey; the three forts guarded Admiralty Inlet into Puget Sound.
  • Recreation and history: Park offers shoreline access on saltwater, with public campsites, trails and interpretive signs about the fort's military history.

What to See #

  • Concrete gun batteries: Several preserved concrete coastal-artillery gun batteries and associated magazines that remain visible on the park grounds.
  • Historic buildings and parade ground: Historic barracks, officers' quarters and a parade ground retained from the fort's period of military use; many buildings are repurposed for park visitor services.
Fort Flagler State Park
Marrowstone Island, Nordland, WA (Fort Flagler State Park)
48.0973, -122.6949
Daily 6am-sunset
Discover Pass required ($10/day or $30 annual); camping fees vary

How to Get to Fort Flagler State Park #

Fort Flagler is on Marrowstone Island, just across from Port Townsend. From Port Townsend take WA-116 north across the Marrowstone Point causeway; follow local signs to Fort Flagler State Park. The park is about a 15-20 minute drive from downtown Port Townsend and roughly 1.5-2 hours from Seattle (including the ferry). Parking is available at the main lot near Battery Kinzie; trailheads and campsites are a short walk from the lot.

Tips for Visiting Fort Flagler State Park #

  • Arrive at low tide to explore the tidal flats and find old concrete foundations revealed by the receding water.
  • Park at the main lot near Battery Kinzie for the easiest access to the central fortifications and the short walking circuit.
  • Bring binoculars in spring and fall for migrating raptors that ride the Strait of Juan de Fuca winds.
  • If camping, reserve sites in advance through Washington State Parks; primitive sites fill on summer weekends.

Best Time to Visit Fort Flagler State Park #

Best visited late spring through early fall for mild weather and clearer skies; winter offers storm-watching but trails can be muddy.

Late spring
May-June · 50-65°F (10-18°C)
Wildflowers and migrating shorebirds; trails dry out after the winter rains.
Summer
July-September · 60-75°F (15-24°C)
Warmest, best for camping and swimming; busiest season.
Fall
October-November · 45-60°F (7-16°C)
Fewer people, dramatic storms on the Strait; good for photography.

Weather & Climate near Fort Flagler State Park #

Climate

Temperate climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (576 mm/year).

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
22°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

41 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm).

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°

Weather

24 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 23 mm.

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 22°

Weather

23 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm).

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°

Weather

31 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°

Weather

79 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 81 mm of rain.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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