Hiking in Port Townsend
The Olympic Peninsula is a wellspring of hiking possibilities. Whether you're doing a short day hike in one of the local State parks or heading into the Olympics, there are numerous places to venture.
Trail users are reminded to carry their own 10 essentials: extra clothing, area map, extra food and water, compass, flashlight, knife, matches, sunglasses, fire starter/candle and first aid kit.
Pets are allowed in the Olympic National Forest but are not allowed in Olympic National Park. Vehicles parked at most Olympic National Forest trailheads must display a Northwest Forest Pass, available at the headquarter's office in West Olympia, the Hood Canal Ranger Station in Quilcene, and local vendors and ranger stations Passes and maps are available on the ranger district website .
Hikers are reminded to stay on the trails. Cutting switchbacks saves only seconds, while destroyed vegetation takes years to recover. Pack out your garbage and put those campfires out. Watch for special fire restrictions as summer progresses.
For those of you who would like to cut your own Christmas Trees during December, the Olympic National Forest sells tree permits valid between November and December.
You can also check for Recreation Businesses in PT
| Helpful Resources |
| Olympic National Forest - Short, medium and long hiking trails. |
| Olympic National Park - Day hikes and overnight hikes. |
| Cool Trails - Olympic Peninsula hiking and skiing trails. |
| Fort Worden - Beach and forest hikes. |
| Larry Scott Memorial Trail - The trail has now been completed past the new Cape George trail-head to Edwards Rd. A volunteer-constructed trail has also been completed past Edwards Rd. to Douglas Way, just north of the golf course on Discovery Rd. The county is currently working to finalize a route from there to 4-Corners. This is the beginning of the Olympic Discovery Trail which when completed, will stretch from Port Townsend to Neah Bay! It is maintained by Jefferson Trails Coalition Adopt-A-Trail volunteers. Map of trail here >> |
| Olympic Discovery Trail - Callam and Jefferson County trail system, part of the 1200 mile Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT) |
| Olympic Peninsula Explorers Volkssport Club - organization of individuals devoted to the promotion of health and fitness with weekend and seasonal walking events. |
| Recreation
Passes of the Northwest
You'll need a NW Forest Pass to recreate at any of the Olympic Peninsula area trailheads. Which pass you need depends on how long you'll be staying or how often you'll making trips, but you can figure that out here. These work in Washington and Oregon. TheWashington and Oregon Recreation Pass is the full deal for all places, including USDA Forest Service, National Park, Bureau of Land Management, Corp of Engineer and WA & OR State Parks. Daily passes are between $2 and $10. All passes are available to purchase online or at local stores like Sport Townsend and Swain's General Store. |
| City Parks County Parks State/National Parks Day Trips | Hiking/Trails Bicycling Horseback Riding Tennis | Boating/Sailing Whale/Wildlife Fish/Shellfishing Kayaking | Swimming/Diving Dogs Birdwatching Golf |
