Fort Ward Park
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Bainbridge Island Fort — Historic harbor defense fort on Bainbridge Island — guarding the entrance to Rich Passage in Puget Sound
Fort Ward Park preserves a historic harbor defense installation on the southern tip of Bainbridge Island — guarding Rich Passage, the narrow waterway connecting the main body of Puget Sound with Sinclair Inlet (home of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard). Built in the 1890s during the Endicott period of coastal defense modernization, Fort Ward was part of the ring of fortifications protecting the US Navy’s Pacific Northwest base at Bremerton. The fort offers stunning views across Rich Passage and is now a peaceful park with shoreline trails, tidepools, and old-growth forest.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Bainbridge Island, WA |
| Entry Fee | Discover Pass required |
| Built | 1890s — Endicott-era! |
| Guarding | Rich Passage — Naval Shipyard! |
About Fort Ward
Fort Ward Park on Bainbridge Island preserves a former U.S. Navy coastal defense installation that guarded the entrance to the Bremerton Naval Shipyard. Built in the 1890s and active through WWII, the fort’s bunkers and gun emplacements are now surrounded by peaceful forest. The park offers stunning views across Rich Passage to the Kitsap Peninsula.
Things to Do
Exploring the historic military fortifications and bunkers, hiking the 2-mile shoreline trail through old-growth forest, fishing, scuba diving (the underwater park is popular with divers), and beachcombing. The park is a short ferry ride from Seattle via the Bainbridge Island ferry.
Insider Tips
Bainbridge Island defense: Fort Ward was a coastal defense installation guarding the narrow passage into Puget Sound’s inner waterways. Pro tip: Bainbridge Island is a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle — one of the most scenic commuter ferry routes in America. Naval heritage: The fort’s underwater cables detected submarine activity during both World Wars.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Beach walking and tide pool exploring. Fall: Quiet island atmosphere. Spring: Wildflowers and returning birds. Winter: Storm watching from the shore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the ferry to Bainbridge?
Yes — the Seattle-Bainbridge Island ferry runs every 60-90 minutes from downtown Seattle’s Colman Dock. The 35-minute crossing offers spectacular views of the Seattle skyline, Mount Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains. Walk-on passengers can explore Bainbridge Island’s town, trails, and Fort Ward by foot or bus. It’s consistently rated one of America’s best ferry rides.
Wildlife & Nature
Fort Ward Park — 137 acres on the southern tip of Bainbridge Island — preserves a World War II-era naval radio station and submarine net control point that monitored Rich Passage, the narrow waterway connecting Puget Sound to Sinclair Inlet and the Bremerton Naval Shipyard. The park’s forested trails and 4,300 feet of saltwater shoreline support bald eagles, great blue herons, and harbor seals. The underwater reef offshore is a popular scuba diving site — divers find giant Pacific octopus, sea pens, and nudibranchs. River otters are regularly spotted along the beach. The old military buildings create an atmospheric, historic setting.
Nearby Attractions
Bainbridge Island — the park is on the south end — offers wineries, the Museum of Art, and Bloedel Reserve (150 acres). Fay Bainbridge Park is on the north end with Mount Rainier views. Seattle — 35-minute ferry from Winslow. Bremerton — visible across Rich Passage — has the Puget Sound Navy Museum.
