In the early 20th century three forts were strategically placed at the entrance to Admiralty Inlet from the Straits of Juan de Fuca. These three forts; Fort Casey, Fort Flagler, and Fort Worden were described as a “triangle of fire” to protect the waters of Puget Sound from any enemy ships. Today these three forts are Washington State parks. We have enjoyed several camping trips to Fort Flagler and Fort Worden.

Fort Flagler is one of our favorite camping destinations and we try to camp there at least once a year. It is located on Marrowstone Island across the bay from the town of Port Townsend. There are two campgrounds, the upper loop and the lower loop. The upper loop has wooded campsites in the forest and is set up for tents and small trailers. The lower loop has several campsites of all sizes and is close to the beach.

There are several paths to the beach from the lower campground. There is also a small snack bar that serves sandwiches and ice cream. Kayak rentals are available near the store. One of our favorite pastimes at Fort Flagler is watching marine traffic in Admiralty Inlet. Many cargo ships and cruise ships pass by on their way to and from the Pacific Ocean. Indian Island Naval Station is next to Fort Flagler, and it is not unusual to see Navy ships passing right in front of the campsites. We have watched Submarines, Destroyers, and Aircraft Carriers go by.

There are many trails to explore at Fort Flagler and most of them are fairly flat and easy to access. This fort still has some of the gun placements on the bluff and you can drive or hike up to see them. Ranger led tours are available most days. You can also visit the historic buildings that include the officer’s quarters and a museum. Some of the buildings can be rented for lodging.

Fort Worden is another great place to explore. Fort Worden is located just outside the town of Port Townsend, so it has easier access to restaurants and shopping. Fort Worden also has two campgrounds, the forest loop and the beach loop. The forest loop has easier access to the trails and the beach loop has easier access to the water. Fort Worden is a large park with many interesting features. The large grassy parade ground is surrounded by the historical officer’s quarters and soldier’s dormitories. You may recognize this area from the movie “An Officer and A Gentleman”. You can rent the Officer’s houses or dormitory rooms for lodging (although at this time the reservation of these lodgings is paused per a management change) There are a couple of museums and cafes here. There is an event and conference center located here and every summer there are music festivals in the old balloon hanger. A marine science center is located on the pier and kayak and paddle board rentals are available near the beach. The trails at Fort Worden are a bit more strenuous than Fort Flagler but still very walkable if you take your time. There is also an old gun battery near the beach that is easy to access. Marine traffic is also viewable from the beach

These forts are fun to explore and a great way to experience local Washington State history. Fort Worden has many activities for families and is a great place to take kids. Fort Flagler is a great place to just relax and enjoy the views. It takes under an hour to drive between the two forts, so it is easy to visit both in one trip.