Port Townsend Area

In Port Townsend, there are plenty of scenic places to walk with your dog. If you'd like to take Rover on an honest to goodness hike, be sure to check out the trails at Fort Worden State Park and The Larry Scott Memorial Trail:

Fort Worden State Park

Fort Worden dates back to 1897. Now a state park, the 19th-century fort is used for recreational, artistic, and educational purposes. This 434 acres of property has 12 miles of trails. The trail surfaces vary from soft dirt to old cement roads to sandy or rocky shoreline. There are hills to climb and at low tide you can follow the beach southeast to Chetzmoka Park or west to North Beach Park. (See description of these parks in "Dog About Travel" section.)

Also you can make a visit to the Point Wilson Lighthouse on the NE corner of the park. It is not open for visitors, but there are picnic tables available for a lunch stop out of the wind and a great place to throw sticks for the pup.

Fort Worden offers spectacular views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Mt. Baker, Admiralty Inlet, and Whidbey Island. Amenities: Several bathrooms, water, phone, commons and cafe, youth hostel, vacation rentals, museums, and camping, to name a few. Web site: www.fortworden.org.

Larry Scott Memorial Trail

This is a well-groomed gravel trail. It was formerly railroad tracks, so it is relatively flat and is well-marked (with posts every half mile). It's a 3-mile trail, but there are several "unofficial" trails at the end of the Larry Scott for the intrepid hiker. There are panoramic views of downtown Port Townsend and Port Townsend Bay. Runners, bikers, hikers, and equestrians use this trail, so it is important to have your dog under control.

We're told that a southerly wind can make for a stinky experience due to the Port Townsend Paper Company, so you might want to test the wind before you head down the trail.

Amenities: Bathroom and parking near trailhead.

Address: The corner of Boat Street and Washington Street