Washington · United States
Cycling in Port Townsend
Best season: June–September
Sitting in the Olympic rain shadow, Port Townsend is markedly drier and sunnier than most of western Washington, which makes its compact downtown and waterfront a comfortable cycling base from roughly June through September. The town’s marquee riding is the Larry Scott Trail, a mostly non-motorized path that runs southwest from the Boat Haven and forms the eastern terminus of the Olympic Discovery Trail — a rail-trail system that ultimately stretches more than 130 miles across the peninsula toward the Pacific coast. From the historic Water Street core, riders can string together the waterfront path, the trailhead, and quiet county roads for day loops.
Port Townsend is also a ferry town, and that shapes how cyclists use it. Washington State Ferries connect the terminal downtown to Coupeville on Whidbey Island, opening up multi-modal, car-free itineraries that pair island riding with peninsula trail miles. Bikes board ferries easily and cyclists load ahead of car traffic.
The town has a genuine local bike culture: two full-service shops rent and repair bikes within a few blocks of the ferry dock, and a community nonprofit bike shop rounds out the scene. Lodging is concentrated in restored Victorian hotels and inns steps from the water; none currently advertise a formal bike-storage or loaner program on their own sites, so cyclists should call ahead about secure storage for higher-value bikes.
Every September, Port Townsend fills its harbor for the Wooden Boat Festival, one of the largest wooden-boat gatherings in the world with 300 boats, demonstrations, and dockside music — a scenic pairing with the town’s easy waterfront riding.
Weather in Port Townsend
Live · NWSLoading current conditions…
Typical by month
avg high/low · 1991–2020 normals · PORT TOWNSEND- Jan 46° 38° 2.2"
- Feb 49° 38° 1.6"
- Mar 52° 40° 1.9"
- Apr 58° 43° 1.5"
- May 63° 47° 1.5"
- Jun 68° 51° 1.4"
- Jul 73° 53° 0.7"
- Aug 73° 54° 0.5"
- Sep 68° 51° 1.1"
- Oct 58° 46° 1.6"
- Nov 50° 41° 2.4"
- Dec 45° 38° 2.6"
Bike-friendly hotels
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The Palace Hotel
Iconic 1889 Victorian hotel in the heart of the historic downtown district, one block from the ferry dock and central to the waterfront route toward the Larry Scott trailhead. The hotel does not advertise a bike-storage or loaner program on its own site, but PT Cyclery and The Broken Spoke rental shops are within a few blocks; call ahead about secure storage as this is a historic building with no elevator.
From from ~$155 (third-party listings)/night
Before you book: Existence and address are on the hotel's own site; no bike amenity is claimed there. Confirm secure bike storage and current room rates directly with the hotel.
Bike program reported via source (2026-07-18)
Tides Inn & Suites
Waterfront hotel about a five-minute walk from historic downtown and the ferry terminal, directly on the Water Street corridor that connects to the waterfront path toward the Boat Haven and Larry Scott trailhead. Free parking and complimentary breakfast; no bike-specific amenity is stated on the hotel's own site, so nearby shops (PT Cyclery, The Broken Spoke) cover rentals and repairs.
From from ~$85 (third-party listings)/night
Before you book: Existence and address verified on the hotel's own site; no bike program is claimed there. Confirm secure bike storage and current rates directly.
Bike program reported via source (2026-07-18)
Where to stay in Port Townsend
Live rates near Port Townsend, powered by Stay22. Prices update in real time; we may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
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Where to rent or borrow a bike
The Broken Spoke
From $25/half day (town bikes); $30/2 hr (e-bike/road/mtb) · waiver required
Full-service independent shop (est. 2009) on Water Street renting electric, road, mountain, town (cruiser/hybrid), and kids' bikes. Published rates: town bikes $25/half day, $50/full day, $120/week; e-bike/road/mtb $30/2 hr, $50/4 hr, $90/24 hr, $300/week; kids' $25/day. A 50% deposit and a signed release are required per rider.
Call ahead: Rental types, prices, deposit, and waiver are all confirmed on the shop's own site; verify seasonal availability and reserve ahead in summer.
Verified via source (2026-07-18)
PT Cyclery
From by inquiry (multi-day and weekly rates available)
Long-running (30-year) local shop at 252 Tyler Street renting mountain bikes, road bikes, tandems, and kid trailers, with vintage/lugged/race/touring bikes available on request. The shop's own site lists reduced current hours (roughly 12–3 Tue–Fri and by appointment).
Call ahead: Shop, address, and rental categories are on the shop's own site; specific rental prices and whether a waiver is required are not published — call ahead to confirm rates and current hours.
Verified via source (2026-07-18)
Guided bike tours
Custom Bike Shuttle (Olympic Discovery Trail)
Olympic Hiking Co. · 5h · from $500 (4-hr minimum)
Custom point-to-point bike shuttle along the Olympic Discovery Trail (e.g. Port Townsend to La Push), carrying up to 4 passengers and 4 bikes in a full-size pickup with a tailgate pad. Example Port Townsend to La Push run is about $550 plus a 3% booking fee for a roughly 5-hour round trip; other routes on request.
Washington Olympic Peninsula Bike Tour
Wilderness Voyageurs
Multi-day guided and supported tour that rides the best segments of the Olympic Discovery Trail across the peninsula, with nights in and around Olympic National Park. A regional operator that passes through the area rather than a Port Townsend-based day tour; confirm current dates and pricing before booking.
Where these are on the map Port Townsend
Hotels Rentals & loaners · 4 of this destination's listings located · © OpenStreetMap contributors