Port Townsend Canal
Location: Port Hadlock, WA
Region: Puget Sound
Best Season: Year round
Difficulty: Beginner
Primary Bike Surface: Paved/Dirt Path
Passes/Permits: None
Water Length: 2.7mi
Bike Length: 3.5 mi
Suggested Bike Route Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38114281
Recommended Trip Type: Lock-n-Paddle/Paddle-n-Unlock (what’s this?)
Parking: Port Hadlock Boat Launch (Several parking spaces) and Isthmus Park (Limited Parking spaces) another option is near the Old Alcohol Plant (large parking lot)
Description:
This is a very scenic paddle and bike loop at a very beautiful area of Puget Sound. There is a great trail through beautiful madrona trees that parallels the water on Indian Island. The current in the Port Townsend Canal is strong during big tidal swings. Port Hadlock has a boat-ramp with a few parking spots and a larger lot at the Port Hadlock Marina and Old Alcohol Plant. There is a power pole near the Port Hadlock boat-ramp to lock a bike and other trees or possible man-made features. The Indian Island end has plenty of trees to hide and lock a bike. Pay close attention to the wind forecast before attempting this route. Both ends can be susceptible to high waves/wind depending on wind direction. The beach North of canal bridge on Indian Island is Naval property and beach access is not allowed here. The Bridge crossing on bike has no shoulder so be careful with traffic here but traffic is usually light on this road.
PRO Tip: During a flood tide be sure plan to start your paddle at Port Hadlock and finish at Indian Island. During an ebb tide you will want to plan the paddle for the reverse direction. This is the beauty of this route depending on the tidal conditions the saltwater river runs both directions. While visiting this area you may also like to paddle the bay between Indian Island and Marrowstone Island. Mystery Bay State Park (Discover Pass Reqd.) would be a great launching point.
Fun Fact: The Port Townsend Canal is checkpoint #2 in the seventy mile human powered race on Puget Sound Seventy48
Water Flow: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions.html?id=9444971
References: https://www.countyrec.com/info/facilities/details.aspx?FacilityID=9925
Camping: There are several campgrounds available close by: Oak Bay, Fort Flagler, Fort Worden, and Fort Townsend
Hazards: Wind, Cold water, Tidal currents, Marine Traffic, Vehicle Traffic
Disclaimer: While we strive to present accurate information, the earth is not static. Conditions change, information may become outdated, and some things you read on the internet just may not be true. If you run across any information that needs updated please Contact Us and let us know. You alone are responsible for your safety. Treat this information as a preliminary guide only. You must evaluate conditions and your experience level to determine your own safety. The authors of this website are not held responsible for your safety.
