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Shipwrecks, secluded beaches, amazing views, hiking trails, a historical fort - so much to see in this small Oregon state park! It's one of the largest public campgrounds in the country and this is where you'll find the awesome Peter Iredale shipwreck! You can also tour historic Fort Stevens that was in operation, guarding the mouth of the Columbia River from the Civil War all the way to WWII! I've been here several times over the years - mostly to visit the shipwreck. But on my last visit, I felt adventurous and drove all the way as far to the tip as I could and what a treat!! I found the end of the "jetty" area with a lovely hiking trail that meandered through some a mossy forest and led me to a beautiful, entirely secluded beach!! There was even a bird blind and I saw hundreds of terns! I walked pretty far down the beach and was rewarded with expansive views of the whole of Astoria - including the bridge and even the column! I had the place all to myself - even in the height of summer. There's plenty of parking on this end of the park. But around the more popular shipwreck, parking fills up and sometimes you have to wait for spots to open up. It's free to enter but there are a few spots where you have to pay for a day pass to park ($5 as of summer 2023) - near the historic fort, and around the popular lake. Not sure what the camping prices are - but they have RV spots, tent sites, and even yurts! The park is easy to find - gps takes you right to it (and even to the shipwreck). But once you get window, cell service and internet gets very unreliable so I recommend to plan ahead.
Absolutely love this state park. Second time Coming all the way from Idaho to stay here and found my self exploring more and new things. The yurts are Deff the way to go. Bathrooms are clean and well maintained, staff is nothing but nice. There's a Walmart and other stores in town if you forgot anything or the KOA has a small variety of things. I've stayed at a few parks in Oregon and Ft Stevens is by far my fav place!
Fort Stevens is the campground for people adverse to "roughing it". There are seemingly more RV sites than "traditional" tent camping ones, complete with electrical and plumbing hookups. Not to mention rentable yurts and cabins, (hot!) showers, (relatively) clean restroom facilities, and even a firewood delivery service, right to your campsite! Fort Stevens is also massive: miles of hikeable/bikeable trails, sandy beaches, a lake with a boat ramp, a shipwreck, a disc golf course, a military history museum (and gift shop), and several abandoned military installations and batteries to hike and explore. There's more to see and do here than can be experienced in a single camping trip, and after more than a half dozen visits to the park, I'm still discovering new secrets! Also, keep an eye on the various post boards around the park, in which special events, such as storybook readings, put on by the Friends of Fort Stevens, occur on many a summer night. As I mentioned earlier, this is camping only in the loosest sense of the word, in that you're sleeping outside (well, if you're not in an RV, yurt or cabin). The campsites are relatively small, and close together, but that is also part of the charm, particularly for children: they're all but guaranteed to make some new friends during your stay here, as there will be rugrats running around, skating, riding bikes, exploring, and likely yelling and screaming all around you, for as long as the daylight persists. Intimacy and privacy does not exist here. There are better places to camp in the Pacific Northwest, particularly for those who desire privacy, serenity, an escape from noise and the presence of others, and a place to commune with and be surrounded by nature (and nature only). Those places exist, but Fort Stevens is not one of them. Despite all that, I have a sentimental attachment to this place, thanks to childhood memories of camping here in my youth. Now, I'm hoping to impart similar memories on my children. Fort Stevens may not be *for* everyone, but it *has something* for everyone. If you can't see that, go get lost in the woods elsewhere.
My happy place is the shipwreck beach. There is also a lake with picnic areas and restrooms. River beach, bird blind, Battery Russel, the jetty, razor clam digging, camping, yurts...wetlands, deer and elk...it's huge and there are paved bike trails connecting everything, for miles!
this state park is wonderful! it's got beach, it's got shade, campsites, yurt options and a ton to explore. plus, i'm driving all over, it seemed all the amenities: i saw wood for sale, ice, and visited three different bathrooms which were all exceptionally clean. there were tons of campers and bikers when i was there today and what's not to love at the height of fall colors and a wonderfully warm friday in the pnw?! the peter iredale shipwreck is a must see but also driving all the way to the northern tip and walking out to the point where the wind off the columbia will blow through your hair and cover you with sand but you won't regret it! i'd highly recommend stopping here, whether you choose to spend one or more nights or just do a quick trip en route elsewhere. i'd come back the next time i'm in the area.
We stayed at Fort Stevens campground recently. We'd been to the park before, but our first time at the campground. Easy reserve, easy check-in. The campground really isn't for me. While very clean, the spots are very close together...almost no privacy, and our particular spot required us to be parked parallel to and right up against the road. It was fine for one night, we are just campers who prefer more space. For anyone who is sensitive to smoke, it might not be for you. Everyone seemed to have campfires going, and being a large campground the smoke was quite thick and settled all around the campground. The park is great though overall. So huge with lots of hiking, and it looked like heaven for those with bicycles...endless paved trails. We've covered most of the park now over a few visits. Lots of fun to be had for birdwatchers. We enjoyed the narrow lake loop hike and exploring the military site. Fun for the family for sure.
This Oregon State Park is a gem. So scenic. Lush green moss grows everywhere on the ground in the trees and liken is hanging on the boughs of tree branches - lures you into the majesty of 4000 acres of pristine coastal wilderness on the mouth of Columbia River. Over 15 miles of multi use trails to bike and hike. Comb the beaches. Visit the site of a 1906 ship wreck. Play disc golf. Over 400 camp sites if you tent or have an RV and want to hang loose around a campfire bundled up on a dark coastal night with a hot toddy, brew or spirt in hand. Sleep in a Yurt or cabin. Only 10 miles from the historic downtown Astoria - the bridge of the Columbia River mouth stretches high above the sea from Oregon to Washington - the drive over this bridge is mind blowing worth it. So much history to explore. Fort Stevens marks the site of a military installation once used to guard the mouth of the Columbia River from foreign attacks. The fort saw service for 84 years, from the Civil War to World War II. Probably the largest military installation on the Pacific Coast in its time. Ruins of military structures you can walk through or take guided tours of artillery gun cannon stations, military barracks, underground ammunitions, engineering and plotting divisions. There is an amazing and comprehensive museum of history. So what's your bag? History? Nature? Recreation? Camping? Yurts or cabins? Ocean? Discover Fort Stevens! Bag it all!
Great place to stay on the very northern coast of Oregon. Beautiful scenery, clean spaces, easy access for big rigs. Great prices compared to other rv parks. Only downside is lots of kids running around making noise.
We stay here a couple times a year as they have awesome trails, easy access to the beach and there's a lot of military history here. I highly recommend you bring bikes, scooters or some mode of transportation to help get you around this large park. There is also a lake to go fishing if that's your thing. We have stayed both in C and D loop with our trailer. Both loops and water and electric only. My only complaint is the restrooms / showers are outdated and kind of a disappointment compared to most state parks I've stayed at. If the campground is full, I recommend staying at the KOA across from the State Parks main entrance.
It has been 34 years since we stayed here, while the wife and I were just dating and enjoying our youth. The sites look almost the same, with a bit less vegetation between sites which cuts down on your privacy a bit.... We were nice and close to the very clean restrooms. we spent our days biking and playing disc golf. you can ride the trails to the ft stevens real fort! And play disc golf when you arrive! And of course you can drive on the beach!!
We stopped at Ft Stevens simply to use RV Dump. With that said, the park seems great and is in a very cool location on the peninsula between Seaside and Astoria. I would love to come back and explore the coast up here at the entrance to the Columbia River. As for the RV Dump, it was very easy to access at the entrance to the park. It was also free with a suggested donation. There are three spot and fresh water as well as a Black/Grey water dump. Stop here for a day a week or just to refresh!
1 month ago
Battery Russell was one of the most fascinating stops we made while exploring the Oregon Coast. If you enjoy history, old military sites, or simply exploring places that feel a little mysterious, this is definitely worth visiting. The massive concrete structures are incredibly interesting to walk through. You can explore the old rooms, passageways, stairs, and gun emplacements while imagining what this place must have been like when soldiers were stationed here protecting the mouth of the Columbia River. What made the experience especially memorable for us was learning about Battery Russell's connection to World War II. In June 1942, a Japanese submarine surfaced offshore and fired shells toward Fort Stevens. Knowing that history while standing among these old military structures gave our visit an entirely different perspective. I also appreciated being able to explore at our own pace. There are plenty of opportunities for photos, and the weathered concrete and surrounding forest make the area incredibly atmospheric. Battery Russell is a great addition to a visit to Fort Stevens State Park, especially if you're already road-tripping along the northern Oregon Coast. I highly recommend taking some time to stop, walk around, read about the history, and explore. It's an unusual and memorable piece of Oregon history that I'm really glad we didn't skip! read more
1 year ago
Clean park with great hiking trails. Fairly clean restrooms. Drove down to the beach and took the dogs to see the Peter irondale. This camping trip they had a free concert on the lawn by the battery. I love that the golf carts drive by to bring you firewood for a standard $7 fee. Terrible reception and cellular in the park. Overall great trip with lots of sunshine. read more
6 months ago
Shipwrecks, secluded beaches, amazing views, hiking trails, a historical fort - so much to see in this small Oregon state park! It's one of the largest public campgrounds in the country and this is where you'll find the awesome Peter Iredale shipwreck! You can also tour historic Fort Stevens that was in operation, guarding the mouth of the Columbia River from the Civil War all the way to WWII! I've been here several times over the years - mostly to visit the shipwreck. But on my last visit, I felt adventurous and drove all the way as far to the tip as I could and what a treat!! I found the end of the "jetty" area with a lovely hiking trail that meandered through some a mossy forest and led me to a beautiful, entirely secluded beach!! There was even a bird blind and I saw hundreds of terns! I walked pretty far down the beach and was rewarded with expansive views of the whole of Astoria - including the bridge and even the column! I had the place all to myself - even in the height of summer. There's plenty of parking on this end of the park. But around the more popular shipwreck, parking fills up and sometimes you have to wait for spots to open up. It's free to enter but there are a few spots where you have to pay for a day pass to park ($5 as of summer 2023) - near the historic fort, and around the popular lake. Not sure what the camping prices are - but they have RV spots, tent sites, and even yurts! The park is easy to find - gps takes you right to it (and even to the shipwreck). But once you get window, cell service and internet gets very unreliable so I recommend to plan ahead. read more
Absolutely love this state park. Second time Coming all the way from Idaho to stay here and found my self exploring more and new things. The yurts are Deff the way to go. Bathrooms are clean and well maintained, staff is nothing but nice. There's a Walmart and other stores in town if you forgot anything or the KOA has a small variety of things. I've stayed at a few parks in Oregon and Ft Stevens is by far my fav place! read more
Fort Stevens is the campground for people adverse to "roughing it". There are seemingly more RV sites than "traditional" tent camping ones, complete with electrical and plumbing hookups. Not to mention rentable yurts and cabins, (hot!) showers, (relatively) clean restroom facilities, and even a firewood delivery service, right to your campsite! Fort Stevens is also massive: miles of hikeable/bikeable trails, sandy beaches, a lake with a boat ramp, a shipwreck, a disc golf course, a military history museum (and gift shop), and several abandoned military installations and batteries to hike and explore. There's more to see and do here than can be experienced in a single camping trip, and after more than a half dozen visits to the park, I'm still discovering new secrets! Also, keep an eye on the various post boards around the park, in which special events, such as storybook readings, put on by the Friends of Fort Stevens, occur on many a summer night. As I mentioned earlier, this is camping only in the loosest sense of the word, in that you're sleeping outside (well, if you're not in an RV, yurt or cabin). The campsites are relatively small, and close together, but that is also part of the charm, particularly for children: they're all but guaranteed to make some new friends during your stay here, as there will be rugrats running around, skating, riding bikes, exploring, and likely yelling and screaming all around you, for as long as the daylight persists. Intimacy and privacy does not exist here. There are better places to camp in the Pacific Northwest, particularly for those who desire privacy, serenity, an escape from noise and the presence of others, and a place to commune with and be surrounded by nature (and nature only). Those places exist, but Fort Stevens is not one of them. Despite all that, I have a sentimental attachment to this place, thanks to childhood memories of camping here in my youth. Now, I'm hoping to impart similar memories on my children. Fort Stevens may not be *for* everyone, but it *has something* for everyone. If you can't see that, go get lost in the woods elsewhere. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
My happy place is the shipwreck beach. There is also a lake with picnic areas and restrooms. River beach, bird blind, Battery Russel, the jetty, razor clam digging, camping, yurts...wetlands, deer and elk...it's huge and there are paved bike trails connecting everything, for miles! read more
this state park is wonderful! it's got beach, it's got shade, campsites, yurt options and a ton to explore. plus, i'm driving all over, it seemed all the amenities: i saw wood for sale, ice, and visited three different bathrooms which were all exceptionally clean. there were tons of campers and bikers when i was there today and what's not to love at the height of fall colors and a wonderfully warm friday in the pnw?! the peter iredale shipwreck is a must see but also driving all the way to the northern tip and walking out to the point where the wind off the columbia will blow through your hair and cover you with sand but you won't regret it! i'd highly recommend stopping here, whether you choose to spend one or more nights or just do a quick trip en route elsewhere. i'd come back the next time i'm in the area. read more
We stayed at Fort Stevens campground recently. We'd been to the park before, but our first time at the campground. Easy reserve, easy check-in. The campground really isn't for me. While very clean, the spots are very close together...almost no privacy, and our particular spot required us to be parked parallel to and right up against the road. It was fine for one night, we are just campers who prefer more space. For anyone who is sensitive to smoke, it might not be for you. Everyone seemed to have campfires going, and being a large campground the smoke was quite thick and settled all around the campground. The park is great though overall. So huge with lots of hiking, and it looked like heaven for those with bicycles...endless paved trails. We've covered most of the park now over a few visits. Lots of fun to be had for birdwatchers. We enjoyed the narrow lake loop hike and exploring the military site. Fun for the family for sure. read more
This Oregon State Park is a gem. So scenic. Lush green moss grows everywhere on the ground in the trees and liken is hanging on the boughs of tree branches - lures you into the majesty of 4000 acres of pristine coastal wilderness on the mouth of Columbia River. Over 15 miles of multi use trails to bike and hike. Comb the beaches. Visit the site of a 1906 ship wreck. Play disc golf. Over 400 camp sites if you tent or have an RV and want to hang loose around a campfire bundled up on a dark coastal night with a hot toddy, brew or spirt in hand. Sleep in a Yurt or cabin. Only 10 miles from the historic downtown Astoria - the bridge of the Columbia River mouth stretches high above the sea from Oregon to Washington - the drive over this bridge is mind blowing worth it. So much history to explore. Fort Stevens marks the site of a military installation once used to guard the mouth of the Columbia River from foreign attacks. The fort saw service for 84 years, from the Civil War to World War II. Probably the largest military installation on the Pacific Coast in its time. Ruins of military structures you can walk through or take guided tours of artillery gun cannon stations, military barracks, underground ammunitions, engineering and plotting divisions. There is an amazing and comprehensive museum of history. So what's your bag? History? Nature? Recreation? Camping? Yurts or cabins? Ocean? Discover Fort Stevens! Bag it all! read more
2 years ago
Great place to stay on the very northern coast of Oregon. Beautiful scenery, clean spaces, easy access for big rigs. Great prices compared to other rv parks. Only downside is lots of kids running around making noise. read more
We stay here a couple times a year as they have awesome trails, easy access to the beach and there's a lot of military history here. I highly recommend you bring bikes, scooters or some mode of transportation to help get you around this large park. There is also a lake to go fishing if that's your thing. We have stayed both in C and D loop with our trailer. Both loops and water and electric only. My only complaint is the restrooms / showers are outdated and kind of a disappointment compared to most state parks I've stayed at. If the campground is full, I recommend staying at the KOA across from the State Parks main entrance. read more
6 years ago
It has been 34 years since we stayed here, while the wife and I were just dating and enjoying our youth. The sites look almost the same, with a bit less vegetation between sites which cuts down on your privacy a bit.... We were nice and close to the very clean restrooms. we spent our days biking and playing disc golf. you can ride the trails to the ft stevens real fort! And play disc golf when you arrive! And of course you can drive on the beach!! read more
2 years ago
Great views of the ship. Got some nice pictures after the exceptionally high surf. Giant driftwood, check out our pictures! read more
2 years ago
Great park & campground. Nice size lots and full hookups. Really wanted to bike the park but unfortunately it was "bomb cyclone" season. Outstanding winter visit. read more
3 years ago
We stopped at Ft Stevens simply to use RV Dump. With that said, the park seems great and is in a very cool location on the peninsula between Seaside and Astoria. I would love to come back and explore the coast up here at the entrance to the Columbia River. As for the RV Dump, it was very easy to access at the entrance to the park. It was also free with a suggested donation. There are three spot and fresh water as well as a Black/Grey water dump. Stop here for a day a week or just to refresh! read more
2 years ago
Beautiful camp area with excellent restrooms. Very near points of interest and best restaurants in Astoria! Bring your clam digging tools and boots to harvest lovely large razor clams at low tide! Don't forget the mosquito spray and candles read more
5 years ago
I'm so glad I came here! Attractions like this is what I wanted out of my trip to Astoria. This place is huge worth lots to check out. There's one part up top that once you get going you kind of are stuck up there, so be smart and watch out for the sun. Other than that it was really just great. With it being so big you can easily enjoy areas without a lot of disruption. Their museum was pretty fun too with different things to check out. Overall I was happy with this decision. My only complaint is some areas of the park were under construction and their signage sucked. I need to know BEFORE I drive miles down a road that the only thing to see is blocked off. So close it off at the pass or at least put something up that says these areas are closed completely. Wasted a lot of my time on that one. At least it started great with this though. read more
2 years ago
Nice park. Well cared for. Cleanest restrooms we've been in on this journey from Florida to Alaska. Beautiful beaches. Great history. Superior bike trails. And close to everything you want or need. Just a few too many skeeters and a hook in the shower stall and exhaust fan would help. Thanks read more
Beauty, exercise and history all in one ride. Seriously beautiful 9 mile bike ride on well maintained paved trail. I normally prefer single track mountain bike trails but this loop offered so much visually that I was very happy with the ride. The trail takes you through history with and area with a Civil War Fort , Artillery Batteries used up to WWII to protect the mouth of Columbia River, prison cells, underground artillery tours, and a ship wreck from 1906. The trail weaves its way through beautiful dense forest with huge ferns lining the forest floor, grass lands where you might spot an Elk (we did not), and gorgeous beach where you will see the shipwreck. The park offers camping, a small fishing lake and 6 miles of hiking separate than the 9 mile paved path we took with our bikes. When we return to the area I would love to stay in the campground and explore more of what this beautiful State Park as to offer. read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
A pirate wedding wasn't part of my master plan to beat the heat and escape to the coast, but it certainly made our visit to Fort Stevens a little more interesting. We were frolicking on the beach and enjoying the roar of the ocean waves when all sorts of very interesting people started to arrive on the beach. Turns out it was a wedding taking place at the Peter Iredale wreck and the entire party, except the MOTB, were dressed in pirate attire. It was brilliant! I love Jerry Seinfeld, but "I (do) wanna be a pirate!" The beach has a few dunes that the kids had fun rolling down and it is a smooth, sandy beach with no rocks. The problem is that even on a sunny August afternoon, it is still very windy. Fantastic spot for cycling, so don't forget your bikes. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
5 years ago
This is probably our favorite campground to return to. Even though the spots are close together you still have enough room to extend your awning, have a fire pit and set up corn hole. Usually you have foliage on one side giving some privacy. The one thing to not forget is bug spray cause the mosquitoes are fierce! The campground is set up in many loops. Some have full hook ups and most have electric and water. Even though this is a very large campground it is fairly quiet. The bike paths all around the park make it a great place for biking and walking everywhere. The adventures of riding to the beach, Battery Russell, the main fort and the Clatsop spit. We have stayed three times at this park in loops M,H and D. We can not wait to return again. read more
6 years ago
6 years ago
WOW! This State Park is so beautiful. Each RV site has their own little area for privacy. The park is very clean and well kept. It's close to the Beach (1 Mile) and a wonderful little lake 3/4s of a mile from our campsite. Also around the campground are trails both paved and dirt. VERY KID friendly. Take bikes to get around or you'll put on thousands of steps just walking around the park. Our first campsite in Loop C we found had no sewer which we thought was full hookups, but found out that the Loops across from us DID have sewer. Thank goodness the park was not full and we were able to move to a full hook up site for our 5 days in the park. The Park Rangers were awesome and very helpful for places to see and things to do! You are a close drive to the actual Fort Stevens grounds and it was awesome to walk the grounds and in the buildings! This location is wonderful for a vacation with so many places to see around and trails to take. We as 60+ years old put on over 10k steps everyday just exploring! enjoy! read more
6 years ago
The beaches look like they go on forever in every direction. On a Saturday in September, they were deserted, we maybe saw one other person. We want to come back, it was such a quiet, relaxing break from all the craziness. No fee for day use and plenty of free parking. The Iredale shipwreck makes for a great photo opp. Not only are the beaches really large, so are the elk that are walking around with no fear. Highly recommend, great place for "socially distancing" read more
9 years ago
This is amazing historical site! They have a Museum with a small gift shop. The grounds are huge. Seeing in person all the hard work it took to maintain the base during war time really puts into perspective the sacrifices our men women took for our freedom. This is a must visit when in the Warrenton/Astoria area. read more
7 years ago
Didn't get to see everything because I'm over weight and was sore from all the walking, would be nice if cars could go closer to some of the stuff up my the military museum. Will visit again with family who haven't been yet. Also the grass is wet wear shoes you don't care if they get wet and muddy. The guy in the museum ( it's very small museum Nd gift shop) he was very nice and knowledgeable and very friendly with the kids so that was nice. Plan to spend a few hrs. It was windy and chilly so we didn't stay to long at each place. read more
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Ask the Community - Fort Stevens State Park
What loops are closest to the beach?
I believe Loop H (as in Hotel) will position you closest to the beach and Iredale wreck. If you or a companion is disabled, consult park personnel for a better arrangement or position.
Review Highlights - Fort Stevens State Park
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