April 25th we left Ocean Shores (home) about 1:30 pm to head for Manchester State Park.  It’s about 6 miles out of Port Orchard.  We both were so excited to be getting on the road and out of town for the weekend.  We decided not to bring the GPS and to just camp this weekend and not do any Geocaches.  We’ll save that for the next trip.

Anyway, the trip was very quick.  We turned off at McCleary and then toward Shelton and then down Hwy 3 through Belfair and on to Port Orchard.  It’s not far out of Port Orchard and the area is beautiful.

A little history on the park… Manchester State Park is 111 acres with 3,400 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound’s Rich Passage.  Lots of fir and maple around the park.  The park’s site was once a U.S. Coast Artillery harbor defense installation for the Port of Bremerton and served as a fuel supply depot and fire-fighting station during WWII.  The picnic shelter is created from a former torpedo warehouse built in 1901 and other fun stuff is scattered though out the park.

The park has 35 tent spaces and 15 utility spaces.  Reservations can be made for the May 15th to Sept 15 season.  I would recommend making a reservation if you want to get a utility space.  This seems to be a very popular place.  Because we came to visit during off-season, only the Upper Camp Loop was open.  We stayed in space #7 and it was private and lot of trees.  Next time we will try for space #15, a large pull through spot.  Our favorite sites are #15, #17, #19, #9 and #14 is OK too!  (I’ve decided to start keeping better track of the spots we would like the next time we come to visit the parks we have already visited.)

OK, now a few pictures…

This is site #7. (a utility site)  Behind our pop-up is a large space that you could put a tent if you wanted, and there is a nice fire-pit ring and picnic table.  Lots of room.

Above is a picture of the backside of the Torpedo Warehouse that is used as picnic shelter.  It is huge, and has numerous picnic tables in it.  I can see that this would make a great place to have a family reunion or big group get together.  I didn’t get a good picture of the front of it.  Across the little road is a grassy yard and then the beach.  If you are camped in the Lower Camp Loop you are very close to this.

To follow are some of the pictures I took of us (Rick, Cassie and Thor).  As you can tell the view is pretty awesome.  The trail is pretty good for the most part.  Be sure to wear appropriate shoes… unlike me! 

I think this was an old gun battery.

  A little more history…

Also along the path we walked/hiked…

and just before this nice little path here we had the CLIMB!

This is looking back down the stairs we were climbing up.  Cassie stopped to pretend she smelled something, I think her little legs were tired!

Rick and Thor took the lead most all of the time.  Luck for us there was bench at the top with our name on it!

OK, before the big climb, we viewed the sea lions.  I guess I forgot to mention that during our first night of camping I awoke to the sound of sea lions!  They aren’t quiet, and during the quiet hours you can hear them barking very clearly.  I woke to the sound of them each morning too.

More sea lions resting and sun bathing.

I don’t know what these were, but I thought they were pretty cool looking flowers.

OK, now I’m going to take you less than a mile outside of the park.  If you are coming from Port Orchard along the water side this is what you will see just before you turn into the park area.

CAMELS!

I was hoping to get a picture of them standing but they both were sitting when we came back by to take pictures.  Not even the dogs barking made them want to get up.

There are only 2 of them.  One hump guy and Two hump guy. 

I really liked the two hump guy.

OK, enough about camels…

This park is very clean and well kept up.  They have nice trails to walk and the bathroom is very clean and there is even a shower.  The park ranger we talked to has been working there for a long time (I think she said 8 years) and she knows her stuff.  If you have questions don’t be afraid to ask her if you go there.

This park gets a big thumbs up!