mdi-tent Reserve

Fort Stevens
State Park

Near Astoria, Oregon, United States

mdi-tent Reserve

Park Overview

One of the nation’s largest public campgrounds, Fort Stevens marks the site of a military installation once used to guard the mouth of the Columbia River. The fort saw service for 84 years, from the Civil War to World War II. 

Today, Fort Stevens is a 4,300-acre park offering a variety of recreation adventures, including camping, beach-combing, a freshwater lake, trails, wildlife viewing, and an historic shipwreck. Park features include:

  • Coffenbury Lake has two picnic areas with swimming, restrooms and boat ramp. A 2-mile trail circles the lake.
  • Columbia Shore Disc Golf Course
  • 15 miles of multiuse trails
  • Views of the Columbia River Bar from the South Jetty Observation Tower
  • Adult and youth bike rentals CLOSED
  • Kayak Tillamook offers kayak tours on Trestle Bay.  Call 503-866-4808.
  • Fort Stevens marks the northern-most trailhead for the Oregon Coast Trail

Historic Military Site

Enjoy year-round military displays at the military museum and information center. Visit the only Civil War era earthen fort on the west coast, or explore the many turn-of-the-century, concrete artillery gun batteries. Underground tours are available during the summer of a gun battery that served as a World War II command center. For tour information, call the Friends of Old Fort Stevens  at 503-861-2000.

2023 construction update

General obligation bonds approved by the 2021 Legislature will fund two projects at the park.

  • Extensive rehabilitation to the historic Guard House is planned, including roof replacement and repairing brick joints. Learn more
  • The campground is set to receive upgrades to the aging infrastructure, including utilities. A new tent camping loop is also planned. Learn more

Year-round Camping

All campsites have a picnic table and fire pit. Book reservations up to 6 months in advance at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Reservations are required for cabins and yurts.

  • 174 full-hookup sites (36 pull-through)
  • 302 electrical sites with water (11 pull-through)
  • 6 tent sites
  • 15 yurts (7 pet-friendly)
  • 11 deluxe cabins (5 pet-friendly) 
  • 9 primitive hike in sites
  • Hiker/biker camp
  • Flush toilets
  • Hot showers
  • RV dump station
  • Universal Access: 8 cabins and 10 yurts are accessible to campers with disabilities.
Effective Nov 10, 2022
Same-day reservations are available at this park. Reservations for campsites can be made anytime (exception: ADA site reservations can be booked only by calling 1 (800) 452-5687) or by registering at the park ranger entry station, when open. Online yurt reservations will be allowed up until 9 p.m. of arrival day. Please do not occupy a site without registering. 
Effective Aug 19, 2022
Emerald Ash Borer, a highly invasive insect, has been sighted in Oregon for the first time. Help contain this extremely damaging insect by following these firewood tips:
  • Buy locally harvested firewood at or near your destination.
  • Buy certified heat-treated firewood ahead of time, if available.
Effective Mar 28, 2023 – Apr 2, 2023
Whale Watch Week returns to in-person events along the Oregon Coast March 28 - April 2, 2023. This event could impact traffic and parking.

Volunteers will be at most of the 17 sites from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help visitors spot whales during the annual gray whale migration from Mexico.

The sites include:
Fort Stevens State Park--Peter Iredale Shipwreck
Neahkahnie Mountain Overlook
Cape Meares Lighthouse
Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint
The Whale Watching Center
Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint
Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint--Cape Foulweather
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Yaquina Bay Lighthouse
Yachats State Recreation Area
Cape Perpetua Turnout
Heceta Head Lightouse
Umpqua Lighthouse
Shore Acres State Park
Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint
Ophir Wayside
Harris Beach State Park
Effective Mar 15, 2023 – Sep 15, 2023
Seasonal Beach Restrictions March 15 - Sep. 15

Beach restrictions are in place on Clatsop Spit, west of the Fishermen’s Beach access to the South Jetty, during nesting season for the western snowy plover. Foot and equestrian traffic on wet sand only; all other recreation prohibited. Information: oregon.gov/plovers.

Effective Jan 14, 2023
A dead sperm whale washed ashore near the Peter Iredale shipwreck on Jan. 14, 2023. Additionally, a dead gray whale washed ashore on Jan. 18 approximately 100 feet from the sperm whale. The beach is open, but we encourage visitors to not touch the whales or be in the water next to them, the whales could become an hazard when lifted by the tide. The park hopes to move them if possible when it is safe to do so. Once moved, the whales will decompose in place and offer a source of nutrients to seabirds and animals.
Effective Oct 1, 2022
The South Jetty of the Columbia River viewing platform at Parking Area "C" is  closed for emergency repairs.  There currently is no timeline for re-opening.  
Effective May 19, 2022
A section of beach at the Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center, south of Fort Stevens State Park, is periodically closed for military training. Closures are posted on the Camp Rilea website
mdi-white-balance-sunny Open for day use Year Round mdi-tent Open for camping Year Round mdi-currency-usd
Day-use parking permit required
(purchase 1-day permit on site)
Day-use parking permit
(1-day purchased on-site)
Buy annual permit
mdi-cellphone Call for reservations: 800-452-5687
Call for info: 800-551-6949
Call park: 503-861-3170 x 21
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Amenities & Features

Questions

mdi-help-circle-outline General

Can I get cell service at your park?

Cell service is spotty at Fort Stevens, depending on your specific location and service provider.  Verizon customers will get better reception than At&t. 

I have a school group. Can I talk to a ranger about a field trip tour?

Contact us to speak to someone about this possibility. Space is limited so please make these arrangements far in advance.

Ranger John Koch: (971)-338-8919

email: John.Koch@oprd.oregon.gov

What type of items should I bring?

Bring a variety of clothes, including warm coats.  Even in mid-summer it can be very cold and windy on the coast.  Binoculars for wildlife viewing and a bicycle to explore 9 miles of paved trails are also recommended.  If you are visiting between March-July, mosquito repellent is strongly recommended. 

Is this park a day-trip affair, or can you do it in a few hours?

The park can be seen in a few hours, but it is recommended to spend more time to see what there is to offer.  Fort Stevens is a destination park and many people spend a week or longer during the summertime. 

I'd love to volunteer/become a camp host who do I contact?

 Our volunteer coordinator is Samantha Hollo.  Her direct line is 503.871.3170 ex 24.

We would love to have you on board!  You can find application information on the state park website to get the process started.
 

Where can I swim?

The lakes and rivers found within Oregon State Parks are open to unsupervised swimming.  You are responsible for your own safety.  Before you enter the water, you should judge your swimming skills against possible strong currents, cold water, underwater objects, and steep drop-offs.  Remember, many of our natural bodies of water and man-made reservoirs are filled by snow runoff and remain cold year round.  Please bring and wear a personnal flotation device and swim with a buddy.  Check with the Ranger Station to see if any blue-green algae bloom notices have been issued.

mdi-help-circle-outline About Camping

Where Can I Get Firewood?

Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by getting your firewood at the campground, or close to it. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference. For more information, visit dontmovefirewood.org.

The Friends of Old Fort Stevens sell firewood within the campground.  Proceeds help preserve and interpret the park's historic area. 

mdi-help-circle-outline What's Allowed

Can I drive my vehicle on the beach at Fort Stevens?

Vehicles are allowed on the ocean shore from Gearhart to the South Jetty of the Columbia River.  They are prohibided on the beach south of the 10th Street beach access in Gearhart, and from the Peter Iredale beach access to the South Jetty from noon-midnight May 1-September 15.  Only "street legal" vehicles are allowed on the beach, no motorcycles or off-highway vechicles.  Four-wheel drive is strongly recommended.  Vehicle access points are located at Fort Stevens near the Peter Iredale Beach, Sunset Beach, Del Rey Beach, and in Gearhart at 10th Street. 

From March 15 to September 15 the Columbia River beach has driving restrictions.  The area is closed to all vehicular traffic, horse back riding, kite flying, and pets during this period.  Beach walking is restricted to the wet sand areas of the shoreline.  Contact the Ranger Station at the park for further details.

mdi-help-circle-outline Day use/Special Events

What areas of the park require a day-use parking permit?

There are three locations in Fort Stevens State Park that require a day-use parking permit ($5 per vehicle).  They are the North and South parking areas of Coffenbury Lake and the Historic Area located at the north end of the park, along the Columbia River. 

Self-serve kiosks are located at each of these three locations. Day-use parking permits are also sold at the Visitor Center (Museum) located in the Historic Area and at the Ranger Station located in the campground.

The following are also accepted permits that allow you to park in the three areas noted above; current Oregon State Parks 12- or 24 month parking permit, valid campsite permit or reservation confirmation, valid day-use parking permit from any Oregon State Park, OPRD Veterans Pass, or a Pacific Coast Passport.

Please ensure the valid permit or document is prominantly displayed in the front window of your vehicle when parked.  Motorcyclists can carry their passes on their person, and must be ready to present it to a park ranger if requested.

A valid parking permit is required for any licensed motor vehicle.  The permit validates a vehicle, not parking space.  Example: Multiple motorcylces cannot share a parking space under one pass.

For more questions, review our statewide FAQ

History

The park's land was acquired between 1955 and 1974. Close to 790 acres were given to the state by Clatsop County between 1955 and 1960. Other lands were acquired by gifts, leases, and purchases from the county, local school district, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and a private landowner. The original earthen fort, completed in 1865 to protect the mouth of the Columbia River from Confederate gun boats and the British Navy during the Civil War, was named for Union Army Major General Isaac I. Stevens, first territorial governor of Washington, who died in 1862 at the Battle of Chantilly. The post later served as Oregon's only coastal defense fort during the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II.  The fort has the distinction of being the only military fort in the United States to be fired upon by an enemy during time of war since the War of 1812, when it was attacked by a Japanese submarine on June 21, 1942.

Brochures and Maps

mdi-file-pdf-box 2023 North Coast Tide Tables mdi-file-pdf-box Fort Stevens Guide to Military Sites mdi-file-pdf-box Fort Stevens State Park campground map and park map mdi-file-pdf-box Graveyard of the Pacific mdi-file-pdf-box Mushrooms of Fort Stevens mdi-file-pdf-box Oregon Coast Whale Watching mdi-file-pdf-box Plover Management Areas – North Coast

Photos

Events

Fort Stevens State Park

Next happening
Mar 24, 2023
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