Fort Stevens State Park

Stretching across the northwestern tip of Oregon where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, Fort Stevens State Park is one of the state’s largest and most historically rich parks. What began as a Civil War-era military installation — one of three forts guarding the river’s mouth — has evolved into a sprawling coastal playground with miles of beaches, forests, and freshwater lakes.

The park’s most iconic attraction is the wreck of the Peter Iredale, a four-masted steel barque that ran aground in 1906. Its rusting skeleton still juts from the sand, making it one of the most photographed spots on the Oregon Coast. History buffs can explore the old military batteries and underground gun emplacements, while the Fort Stevens Military Museum traces the site’s story from the Civil War through World War II — when a Japanese submarine actually shelled the fort in 1942.

Beyond the history, Fort Stevens delivers on outdoor recreation. Coffenbury Lake offers warm-water swimming and fishing, a network of paved bike trails winds through coastal forest, and the beach stretches for miles with few crowds even in summer. Birding is exceptional, particularly during migration seasons along the Pacific Flyway.

The campground is massive, with over 470 sites including full-hookup RV spots, tent sites, cabins, and yurts — though summer weekends book months in advance.

Visit June through September for the best weather, but shoulder seasons bring dramatic storms and solitude. Layered clothing is essential year-round; this is the Oregon Coast, after all.

Explore Nearby

• Point Adams Light — Lighthouse in Oregon
• Desdemona Sands Light — Lighthouse in Oregon
• Grays River Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Washington
• Schafer Farm Bridge — Covered Bridge in Washington
• Nestucca River Recreation Area — Public Land in Oregon