Southworth is a town on the Kitsap Peninsula in the Puget Sound of Washington state. It's ferry terminal to West Seattle and Vashon Island make it a gateway to Port Orchard and the rest of the Kitsap Peninsula.
A seaside playground for the Suquamish Indians in the 19th century, Southworth became a vacation retreat in the 20th century for Seattle residents. Docks constructed to serve the Mosquito Fleet vessels and private boat owners at the northern end of Colvos Passage before roads were developed in the 1920s now await the large state ferries bound for West Seattle and Vashon Island.
Get in
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By ferry
[edit]- 1 Washington State Ferries, 11564 SE State Highway 160, ☏ +1 206-464-6400, toll-free: +1-800-843-3779. Connects Southworth to West Seattle and Vashon Island, all boats on this route accept walk on and vehicle traffic. Ferry lines can get pretty long in the summer season so arrive early or just plan on waiting awhile for the next ferry.
By private boat
[edit]There is a small craft boat launch nearby to the north at Yukon Harbor/Harper.
By car
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State Route 160 (SR-160) is the main road to Southworth.
From State Route 16 (SR-16), a major highway through South Kitsap between Tacoma and Bremerton, turn onto SR-160 at the Sedgewick Rd exit, and proceed 7.3 miles to SE Southworth Dr. Turn right onto SE Southworth Dr.
Get around
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The rolling hills and thick forests of southern Kitsap are popular not only for exploring by car but also with bicyclists and even the occasional horse, so motorists should use caution.
By bus
[edit]- Kitsap Transit, ☏ +1 360 479-6962, toll-free: +1-800-501-7433, [email protected]. Kitsap Transit offers transit services throughout throughout the area including pickup from all ferry terminals and connects with Mason Transit (Mason County), Pierce Transit (Pierce County), and Jefferson Transit (Jefferson County) offering connections outside of the area. full fare $2 and is part of the regional ORCA network system.
See
[edit]- Look for the family of goats that greet visitors along with the 'Welcome to Southworth' sign near the ferry terminal.
- Post Office, 3985 SE Cherry St (next to the Southworth Grocery). The tiny post office still has a horse tie up area which speaks to just how rural this area is.
- 1 Long Lake County Park, 5100 Long Lake Rd SE Port Orchard, ☏ +1 360 871-7617. Public park with community center, playground and access to Long Lake.
Do
[edit]- 1 Banner Forest, Banner Road SE (trailheads near the Olalla Valley Rd and Overaa Rd intersections). A 635-acre hiking, equestrian and biking park with a designated wetland.
Sea kayaking
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Sea kayaking can be a rewarding way to explore the Kitsap Peninsula's nearly 400 miles of coastline allowing the paddler a closer and slower look at their surroundings. Thick forests of majestic pine and deciduous trees and hundreds of creeks and estuaries dot the coastline.
Southworth is an excellent area to launch an adventure to Blake Island State Park. Nearby Manchester State Park has several camping spots reserved for non motorized campers such as sea kayakers. Launch from Yukon Harbor/Harper small craft boat launch just to the north of Southworth.
Organized trails offer overnight camping options and maps of appropriate lengths and scenic travel destinations. Southworth is the southernmost point on the Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails.
- Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails. The National Parks Service Named the this 'Trail of the Month' in the entire USA for the month of December 2012, PDF copies of the water trails map are available
Buy, eat, and drink
[edit]- 1 Southworth Grocery, 3985 Cherry St SE Port Orchard, ☏ +1 360 871-1150. Has stood the test of time providing basic food and supplies near the Southworth Ferry Terminal since 1932. Last chance to stock up on beer and marshmallows for your camping trip.
Sleep
[edit]Southworth does not provide any lodging. Nearby Port Orchard has a variety of convenient hotels and cozy bed and breakfasts. Camping is also available at nearby Manchester State Park.
Go next
[edit]- Manchester State Park.
- Olalla lies to the south.
- Port Orchard and the rest of the Kitsap Peninsula lies to the west.
- Vashon Island and Seattle lies to the east via Washington State Ferries.