The park's centerpiece is a decommissioned torpedo warehouse, part of a former coastal defense station known as Fort Ward's twin.
The facility originally served as an active-duty military fuel depot and torpedo storage site during the early 20th century.
The park provides one of the few public beach access points in the area suitable for both beachcombing and scuba diving.
It is situated on the south shore of the Kitsap Peninsula, directly across the water from the Seattle metropolitan area.
Manchester State Park is a 111-acre forested waterfront park located on the shores of Puget Sound. It features 3,400 feet of saltwater shoreline, providing expansive views of Blake Island and the Seattle skyline. The park is home to a historic abandoned torpedo warehouse built in 1900, which served as a military fortification. Visitors have access to two miles of hiking trails that wind through dense second-growth evergreen forest. The grounds include 35 standard campsites and two group camps available for reservation. Recreational opportunities include scuba diving, clamming, crabbing, and saltwater fishing. The park's varied terrain includes beach areas, rocky bluffs, and forested hillsides.
The interior or the looming brick facade of the historic torpedo warehouse.
Bring sturdy footwear if you plan to explore the rocky shoreline or the lower levels of the historic torpedo warehouse.
Check the tide charts before visiting to ensure you have maximum beach access for tide pooling.
The park's forest provides significant shade, making it a comfortable destination even during mid-summer afternoons.
Do not attempt to swim in the deep channels of the Rich Passage due to strong, unpredictable tidal currents.
Practice leave-no-trace principles, keep pets on leashes at all times, and do not enter restricted areas of historic structures.
