Fort Columbia State Park

As a history lover and especially ww2 I was in love. Fort Stevens sadly had their battery and museum closed while I was in the area, but this was open. For Columbia having the 6inch guns and still able to go into some of the building was a real treat. Even on a cloudy day you can still see a lot. Will have to go back in the summer to see it on a clear day

Beautiful views and interesting historical artifacts presentation. Best feature was Ann, a friendly and informative volunteer. We spent much longer than planned and the $ 10 day pass was worth it. Best to visit on a sunny day.

We made a brief stop here on our way south on Rte 101. I really really wish we had had more time!
We wound our way off the highway and up the hill looking for the place to pay to enter. I guess there was no one working because we just drove in, parked, used the facilities, looked around and took some pictures. The site is beautiful and I am such a history geek, I would have loved to have spent more time exploring and learning all about this beautiful and well preserved fort.
It is possible to rent some of the buildings. What a great place for an overnight stay, family retreat, or wedding. The view out over the Columbia River is breathtaking. There are picnic benches and hiking trails in the park.
The fort was built after the Civil War to help defend the Columbia River. It was in operation until the end of WWII.
Really really worth the time to stop and visit.

Great for kids, lots of history here of an era bygone.
A very different time, when the threat was of ships entering the river. From 1894 to just past WW II when it was taken out of service.
It’s very quiet and calming, with the wind blowing, no one here except a caretakers truck on the hill
Some of the Cannon batteries are still here.
Your imagination runs when you imagine the place in a drill or defending the river.
Part of the Lewis and Clark trial.
I would recommend it, if you are traveling at a leisurely pace up or down the coast.

I would have given this place 5 stars but you now need a discovery pass to venture in this park and many others in this area. I went here last year and it wasn’t like this. It’s a complete rip off if you don’t have a discovery pass. It is a $ 10 fee without a discovery pass. The discovery pass is $ 30 for the whole year, & can be purchased at camping/​hiking type stores.

This is a very well preserved Military Fort that makes for a nice visit. If you are driving on Hwy 101 near the Astoria Bridge, the park is located directly above the tunnel. The entrance to the park is on the west side of the tunnel.
There is no camping at this park, but there are two vacation homes that you can rent.
The interpretive center and commander’s house are only open in the summer, but they uploaded the interpretive center’s video to YouTube, just search for «Fort Columbia State Park» If you are thinking about visiting the park at a time when the interpretive center is closed, I definitely recommend watching the video first as you will appreciate and understand everything more.
The park has most of its historical buildings still intact and there are signs that say what they were and what they are now. The batteries are still standing strong, and the administrative and housing units are used by state parks and in good shape. They got ahold of two of the old guns that were at the park during WWII and remounted them. There are other structures scattered along the trails and in the woods. I recommend bringing a flashlight for exploring.
This is a fun park for kids, but I agree with the other poster that young children should be watched closely, as there are areas that could be dangerous.
There are three major trails that head up the hill at the back of the park and they all meet at the top. The trail in the middle is the best maintained and easiest (it’s steep but wide and grassy). The eastern trail gives great views of some terrific wind storm devastation in the forest from a few years ago. The western trail seemed really overgrown last time we were there.
There are also a few paths that lead down to the beach, one of the most gorgeous places to watch a sunset.
There are picnic tables scattered throughout the park, and there are regular bathrooms with running water.
The park is not usually very crowded, even in the summer. I recommend a visit!

This place was such a neat treat. Fort Columbia is located in Chinook. From Astoria you go over the avocado colored Astoria-​Megler Bridge. Also known as «the bridge to nowhere»
It would definitely be a fun place for kids to visit but definitely under supervision. When we visited I think it was 9 AM. We went off season, in November. There was nobody around. Not one soul! You can walk the through the entire fort. There is an interpretive trail. Some areas are kind of dangerous. There are steps going up and down without noticeable guard rails. It would be very easy to fall in. Some low headroom areas too. There are some cool batteries still on site. Awesome view from there. It was extremely windy. There is a Commander’s House Museum but it’s open May-​Sept.
The little town is pretty quaint. Almost looks undisturbed. Some cute homes there.

This historical fort, located two miles west of the Astoria Bridge on the Washington side of the Columbia River, features an intact military post and late 19^th century coastal defenses, including cannon batteries. A nifty, educational side trip.