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Washington
12

Washington State Parks

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USA Parks
Washington
Olympic & Kitsap Peninsulas Region
Manchester State Park
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Manchester State Park © Lumpytrout / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Manchester State Park Torpedo Building, Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State
Manchester State Park © Lumpytrout / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ferry Passing Manchester State Park Beach, Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State
Manchester State Park © Lumpytrout / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sea Kayaks at Manchester State Park on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State
Manchester State Park © Jennifer VanCleave
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MANCHESTER STATE PARK
MANCHESTER STATE PARK
7767 East Hilldale Road
Port Orchard, Washington   98366
(lat:47.5761 lon:-122.5504) map location

Phone: 360-871-4065
Manchester State Park is a 111-acre camping park with 3,400 feet of saltwater shoreline on Rich Passage in Puget Sound. The park is covered in woods of fir and maple. Nestled in woods of fir and maple, the park sets on the shore of Rich Passage on Puget Sound. Bainbridge Island and Seattle are visible from the beach. The park also features Calvinwood Lodge, a picturesque lodge perfect for weddings, reunions and group meetings. The lodge is 13 miles south of Manchester State Park and is set in a secluded forest with several small lakes and wetlands nearby.
History of the Area
The park was named for the nearby small town of Manchester. Originally called "Brooklyn," the citizens renamed the place "Manchester" in 1892 on account of their expectation that Manchester, Washington would become an active seaport comparable to Manchester, England.

The park itself was constructed at the turn of the century as a U.S. Coast Artillery harbor defense installation for the protection of Bremerton. During World War II, the property was converted to a navy fuel supply depot and a navy fire-fighting station.

A former torpedo warehouse, built in 1901, still stands in the park. It was later an officer's club, a barracks and a mess hall, and is now a picnic shelter in the day-use area. The small concrete building east of the torpedo warehouse was originally used as a mining casement, and later for coal storage. A gun battery also remains from the park's early days. All three of these structures are on the register of National Historical Monuments.
Passes
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.
Camping
The park has 35 standard campsites, 15 partial-hookup sites, and two restrooms and showers. Maximum site length is 60 feet limited availability. One dump station is located near the entrance. Reservations can be made 9 months in advance of selected date, May 15 - Sept 15. Campsites are available first come, first served between Sept. 16 - May 14. There are three hiker / biker campsites available only to hikers and bikers and two Cascadia Marine Trail sites available to those arriving by wind- and human-powered watercraft. All available only on a first-come, first-served basis. These sites include a picnic table. Braziers are not provided.

Check-in time is 230 p.m.
Check-out time is 1 p.m.

GROUP ACCOMMODATIONS
Our secluded group camp is ideal for reunions and family gatherings. It includes a large fire circle, 12 RV hookups, plus a covered shelter with eight picnic tables, and electricity. Several unsheltered picnic tables and braziers are also in the camp. There are two unisex restrooms and showers ADA accessible. A horseshoe pit is available and equipment can be checked out at the Welcome Center. Reservation season is open 1 Apr -31 Oct. The group camp is not available outside of the reservation season. All group camp visitors will require a day-use pass or annual Discover Pass and must vacate by 10 pm.
Boating
Kayaks or small watercraft may be carried to the beach area for launching.

Beach access has 15 minute parking available to load and unload

Shoreline is rocky and does not have a dock

Nearest boat launch and dock is in the town of Manchester 2 miles from park

Overnight parking available for campers kayaking to Blake Island



Picnicking
The old brick Torpedo Warehouse, built in 1901, is a large historic day-use facility ideal for weddings, reunions and company events. Additionally, there are two small picnic shelters available for reservations at the park. The Torpedo Warehouse and picnic shelter's can be reserved from 1 Apr - 31 Oct and are available for first come, first served outside of the reservation season.Thirty day-use picnic tables are available first come, first served. Most of the picnic sites have braziers.
Trails
1. North Beach Trail: This trail is a 0.6-mile loop that offers scenic views of the Puget Sound and Admiralty Inlet.

2. Middle Point Trail: A short, easy hike at just under half a mile long, this trail takes you through lush forest to an overlook with stunning water views.

3. South Beach Trail: At one mile in length, this moderately difficult path winds along the beachfront offering panoramic ocean vistas and opportunities for bird watching.

4. Manchester Forest Loop: An approximately two miles round trip trek through dense woodland filled with Douglas fir trees; perfect for nature enthusiasts who enjoy quiet solitude amidst greenery.

5. Battery Mitchell Interpretive Walkway: It's less than quarter of a mile walk which leads visitors around historic military installations from World War II era providing educational plaques about their history throughout its course.

6. Kinetic Sculpture Pathway: Located near park entrance, it features several kinetic sculptures made by local artists adding artistic touch to your hiking experience.

7. Wildflower Meadow Stroll: Short stroll across meadow blooming with wildflowers during spring season.

8. Picnic Area Access Trails: These are small trails leading towards picnic areas scattered within park boundaries allowing hikers quick access while enjoying outdoor meals.

9. Campground Connector Paths: Small paths connecting different campgrounds together making navigation easier between them especially useful when camping overnight or multiple days in state park.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
July 24 Atta girl for Kimberly Cox by John, for the JFCO group
park review stars; one to five Ms. Kimberly Cox was very helpful in making our recent family camp out at the Manchester group RV site a success - she went out of her way, took extra time, and promptly responded to some special requests and concerns that our group had regarding our stay. Thank you Kimberly You are a Cut above and the kind of person that our beautiful Washington State Parks should be represented by
April 9 Could communicate a LOT better by Sarah
park review stars; one to five While I was in the load only zone (and was loading my van) I ran into a friend and was chatting. The parking enforcer came by and rather than saying something about how we WERE loading up just started to write a ticket of some kind. Really? How hard is it to notice that people are in the process of loading up, commenting on that and giving a friendly reminder? A little communication goes a long way. It soured my otherwise nice experience at the park.
September 6 Friendliest people
park review stars; one to five We stayed in the state to visit Seattle on the 20/21st of August. We came in late and the Campround was full. But a very nice lady and a young guy helped us out and finally could stay 2 days. The whole staff was very friendly, the state is very lucky to have such employees. Thank you very much, nice experience Matthias Plischke and family
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Area Campgrounds
Eagle Tree RV Park
16280 State Highway 305
Poulsboy, WA
360-598-5988
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Located six miles east of Port Orchard, Wash., on Puget Sound.

From I-5: Take the Bremerton exit (Hwy. 16) to the Sedgewick exit in Port Orchard. Follow signs to Manchester State Park.

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Washington
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Washington State Parks

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