Originally designed as a military base to protect Puget Sound from invasion, this fort in Washington is now an iconic state park in the beautiful little city of Port Townsend. You’ll find restaurants, cottages, retreat housing, and dozens of campsites inside the complex. Campers can choose one of 30 forested campsites, 50 beach campsites, and four primitive sites. But there's more to Fort Worden's history than meets the eye - check it out if you dare! Is Fort Worden haunted? Well... you be the judge:

As peaceful of a place as Fort Worden is to spend the night, it’s also harboring a (well-known) secret: It's kind of haunted.

In fact, it’s considered one of the most haunted places in Washington.

Fort Worden was established in 1889 as part of the Coastal Defense System.

The original soldiers who were stationed here lived in tents on top of Artillery Hill, with the first existing buildings built from 1902-1904. By the time the construction was finished, Fort Worden was more like a small city than a base.

So why would there be hauntings here?

Perhaps because it goes to reason that the fort would have had a jail for the enlisted personnel who had issues with anger or alcohol and needed some time in the "Brig." It could be because after the base shut down in 1953, it was purchased in 1957 by the state and became a treatment facility for "troubled youth" until the 1970s. Maybe it’s because of the onsite military cemetery. There are also rumors of a soldier taking his life there.

The stories of strange things happening here are nearly endless.

Hikers and campers report that on cloudy days, moans can be heard from the confines of the dark hallways of the barracks. At dusk, images of vibrating lights can be seen inside some of the buildings that don’t have running electricity. The smell of burning coal, burning rubber, or hot sulfur has been noticed in the front area of the main house, just inside the front door. There has even been a photo of a spirit in purple clothing captured by a Seattle paranormal investigator. Many people who visit claim they feel like they’re being watched.

Of course, plenty of people have camped at Fort Worden without seeing or sensing anything.

And it truly is a beautiful place to stay. So check it out the next time you’re in the area… if you’re feeling brave.

Explore this fascinating fort in all its eerie glory in this firsthand walkthrough video:

Check out the Washington State Parks website for more information, including rates and availability.

If you have visited Fort Worden in Washington, did you know about Port Townsend's dark history? Let us know in the comments section!

If you feel like going ghost hunting, here are even more haunted places in Washington that you can drive to that are said to be oh-so-spooky.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/washington/wa-haunted/