Fort Stevens State Park

Fort Stevens is located in beautiful Hammond, Oregon, south of Astoria. Set on 4,300 acres, Fort Stevens offers 485 campsites (including 6 ADA sites), 11 cabins, 15 yurts, 9 basic sites, 6 tent sites, 2 picnic shelters, and a long list of activities. There is something for everyone at Fort Stevens.

The fort, then named Fort at Point Adams, started construction in 1863 as one of three in the coastal or harbor defense system and was surrounded by a moat with the only ingress and egress by way of a drawbridge. The Fort at Point Adams was built on the Oregon side of the Columbia River, while Fort Canby and Fort Columbia were built on the Washington side. The fort was renamed in 1865 in honor of Union Army Major General and Washington's first territorial governor, Isaac I. Stevens, who died in 1862 at the Battle of Chantilly. Fort Stevens stands as the only fort in the United States after the War of 1912 to be fired upon by an enemy when, on June 21, 1942, Japanese submarine I-25 fired on the fort with 5.5-inch shells from a deck gun. 17 shells were fired; the only casualty was that of the backboard of the baseball field. Fort Stevens served as the coast's only defensive fort during the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II.

Fort Stevens State Park has several day-use-only areas, but it's truly a destination park. Hiking, biking, a freshwater lake, beach combing, swimming, disc golf, kayaking, and a historical shipwreck await you within Fort Stevens State Park. Almost everything one can do at Fort Stevens State Park is covered by the $5 per vehicle cost to enter the park!

There are 15 miles of trails, 9 miles of which are paved, perfect for hiking or biking, and allow inclusion for the wheelchair-bound. Adult and youth bikes are available for rental inside the park and through local shops. Taking the Long Trail leads to amazing views of the lake, ocean, flora, and fauna. Educate yourself on the history of the park with interpretive signs found throughout the trail.

The Peter Iredale Trail is just .4 miles and an easy hike. At the end of it is the Peter Iredale Shipwreck, a sight to behold. The ship ran aground in October 1906 before it could reach its intended destination, the Columbia River. The remains of the four-masted sailing vessel can be approached at low tide for amazing photographic opportunities. Though the trail itself and the site of the shipwreck are not easily accessible for the wheelchair-bound, the wreck can be seen from the parking lot, and driving on the beach is an option as well.

The Coffenbury Lake trail is a paved 2.5-mile loop that makes for an easy hike or bike ride and is accessible for wheelchair users. Coffenbury Lake is a mile long and covers 50 acres. Coffenbury Lake is not fed by any rivers or springs, and there are no inlets or outlets. Rain, snow, ice, and even irrigation contribute to the formation of coastal freshwater lakes, and this one is no exception. Restrooms are available, along with a boat ramp and picnic areas for day use. Kayaks and paddleboards are available to rent inside of the park, and ranger-led kayaking tours of Coffenbury Lake are available during the summer. Prices as of September 2024 for kayak rentals are $19.99 for an hour. Two hours will cost you $29.99, and a full six-hour day is just $49.99. Additional hours are charged at $14.99 per hour. All prices listed are for a single kayak or paddleboard.

Winding through the historical area of Fort Stevens, Columbia Shores Disc Golf Course is a 30-acre, 23-hole disc golf course that discgolfistas promise has a skill level and layout (there are 6) for anyone interested in the game. The course is not only amazing in its views, but it is steeped in history as you Scooby shot your way past canons and other heavy artillery. The cost for playing the course is included in the $5 per vehicle cost to enter the park. If you would like to give it a try, discs are available for purchase on site for about $12.

Underground tunnels were constructed during World War II and were meant as safe offices. The tunnels were thought to be impenetrable, with three feet of concrete walls that would withstand a direct hit from an overhead enemy plane or a boat on the river. Acoustic tiles lined the ceiling of the tunnels and offices, designed to deaden the noise from the outside world. They even had paneling on the walls, wood flooring, and a heater. Tours are available and will detail the history of the battery, the gun pits that housed two ten-foot guns that were mounted on a platform that raised and lowered the "disappearing guns,"  and the men that operated those guns. It took an astounding 35 men to fire just one of the guns!

Originally established in 1868 and just .394 of an acre, the Fort Stevens National Cemetery was first located in a serene stand of trees. In 1905, the cemetery was moved due to expansion and still stands in the same location on the southern border of the post. Wheelchair users will find it easy to navigate, but some areas won't be reachable. The cemetery currently has 273 memorial markers, among them some of the oldest in the county. The cemetery was completed in May of 1868, just in time for the death of Private August Stallberger on May 11 of the same year and was the first to be interred at the cemetery. Some say his spirit has never left.

In 2018, a popular paranormal investigative team filmed Ghost Adventures: Graveyard of the Pacific, which featured suspected activity at Fort Stevens, but they weren't the first to film there. Fort Stevens State Park has been the location for everything from YouTube "investigations" to hit movies such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, American Taboo, and the documentary Buffalo Soldiers of the Pacific Northwest.

Camping reigns supreme at Fort Stevens State Park! With a total of 521 sites to choose from, including RV sites, tent sites, cabins, yurts, primitive sites, and picnic shelters, there is THE perfect spot for you! Camping is open year-round, and reservations are accepted up to six months in advance. Pets are welcome at Forst Stevens State Park!

ADA sites are fully paved and include a water hookup with an accessible handle and situated 37 inches from the ground, an electric pedestal 39 inches from the ground. The picnic table and fire ring are easily accessible, and the sites are close to restrooms. The ADA sites cannot be reserved online and must be done with a ranger or by calling (800) 452-5687. As of September 2024, the price for a standard ADA site is $32 nightly, or $224 weekly.

Standard sites include electricity and water. Full sites include electricity, water, and sewer. There is an RV waste dump on the campus should you want to go the cheaper route with the standard site or the full sites are booked. As of September 2024, the price for a standard site is $32 nightly or $224 weekly. Reservations can be made online up to six months in advance, but aren't always necessary.

Tent sites are scarce with only six available, so make your reservation fast, or arrive at the park early to claim your spot! As of September 2024, the price for a tent site is $22 nightly or $154 weekly.

The Cabin Deluxe is an option for those who can't or don't want to rough it in a tent or RV. Each cabin sleeps five, and a propane grill is provided as cooking is prohibited inside the cabin. You must bring your own linens, such as sheets and blankets, for your stay at the cabin. There are a variety of beds, including a futon, bunk beds, and double beds, and you can expect a combination of all of them. The mattresses are vinyl on all the beds, making them easy to clean but perhaps a bit lacking in the way of comfort. A table with two chairs, electricity, lighting, and heat are included in the cost of the cabin. The doors lock for your privacy and security. There are no private bathrooms available inside the cabins, but they are instead just a short walk away. Hot showers are included in the rental of the cabin and can be found in the common area of the campground. Pets are welcome in only one of the cabins, so plan accordingly if you plan on bringing your pet. ADA cabins are available. Prices as of September 2024 are $114 nightly or $798 weekly.

The Greek historian Herodotus was the first to record a description of the living spaces of the Scythians. The dwelling was described as having an intricate yet collapsible wooden frame structure covered in wool felt. Yurts have been used in many cultures and many countries for many years. The intricate wood frame is designed differently from country to country, and once established within a community, it will be the pattern that is always used for said community. The structure doesn't change for the yurts at Fort Steven State Park. Each is still built using a lattice pattern for the wood frame that is visible inside the yurt. The yurts at Fort Stevens are not wrapped in wool felt but canvas in their stead. Just like the cabin rentals, you are prohibited from cooking inside the yurt, and a fire pit and picnic table are provided for outdoor cooking. You must bring your own bed linens, such as sheets, blankets, and cookware. Beds are provided by futons, bunk beds, or double beds, and your yurt may have any combination of those. A table with two chairs, electricity, lighting, and heat are included in the cost of the yurt rental. The door locks for your privacy and security. There are no private bathrooms available inside the yurts but are instead just a short walk away. Hot showers are included in the rental of the yurt and can be found in the common area of the campground. ADA cabins are available. Pets are welcome, but only in a few of the yurts, so plan ahead if you are bringing your pet! As of September 2024, they are $70 nightly or $490 weekly.

With so much to do and see at Fort Stevens State Park, you can understand why I call it a destination campground. While you are enjoying your stay at the campground, if you would like to see the surrounding area, there are some outstanding places to consider!

Coxcomb Hill, at 600 feet high, is topped by an observation deck at the top of a 125-foot-tall Astoria Column. Approximately seven feet wide and 525 feet long, a spiral sgraffito frieze adorns the exterior of the structure. Electus D. Litchfield and Attilio Pusterla painted the mural, which depicts 14 significant early Oregonian events as well as 18 scenes from the region's history, including Captain Gray's discovery of the Columbia River in 1792 as well as the Lewis and Clark expedition. The frieze starts with the pristine forest and concludes with the arrival of the vital railway in Astoria. The view from the observation deck is breathtaking so you may want to give yourself some extra time should you decide to visit the Astoria Column.

In the 1840s, a naval canon from a wrecked ship washed up on the coast of Oregon. Thus Canon Beach was born, named the best overall beach in Oregon. There, you will find the famous Haystack Rock. The rock is glorious against the sunset backdrop and is worth the trip just for the potential pictures! Haystack Rock and Canon Beach have been the location for such blockbuster films as The Goonies, Point Break, and Twilight.

Please remember that all prices and activities included within are as of this writing in September 2024. Prices are subject to change, as are park rules, hours, and tour availability. Please do your own research before booking a trip!