FORT COLUMBIA STATE PARK
Fort Columbia State Park is a 593-acre day-use historical park with 6,400 feet of freshwater shoreline on the Columbia River. The park celebrates a military site that constituted the harbor defense of the Columbia River from 1896 to 1947. The fort was fully manned and operational through three wars. The area was also home for the Chinook Indians and their famed Chief Comcomly. Fort Columbia is one of the few intact coastal defense sites in the U.S. The park provides beautiful views of the Columbia River estuary. An interpretive center, an observation station and five miles of hiking trail through mature forest are additional features of this park. Two historic buildings are available for vacation rental.
Fort Columbia is one of the few intact coastal defense sites in the United States. Fort Columbia was built from 1896 to 1904 to support the defenses of the Columbia River. The fort was constructed on the Chinook Point promontory because of the unobstructed view. Fort Columbia was declared surplus at the end of World War II and was transferred to the custody of the state of Washington in 1950. Since then it has been a state park. Twelve historic wood-frame buildings still stand on the premises.
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the
Discover Pass web page.
The park has no camping.
Fort Columbia State Park is located near Astoria
The park has 25 unsheltered picnic tables, available first-come, first-served.
The park offers an interpretive trail with information on various fort features.
Interpretive center: Focuses on fort history and early exploration and settlement culture.July hours:11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays,11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays-Sundays.August hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.September hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays-Mondays.
The Commanding Officer?s House is filled with era-appropriate furnishings.Summer hours: August through Labor Day, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays-Mondays and on special arrangement.
Birding enthusiasts can spot species like the Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Northern Harrier. Other birds include American Kestrel, Merlin and Peregrine Falcon. The park is also home to various songbirds such as sparrows, warblers and finches.
Located two miles west of the Astoria Bridge on Hwy. 101 in Chinook, Wash. in Pacific County.
From Seattle:Take I-5 south, then SR 8 west, then U.S. Hwy. 101 south. Park is two miles west of the Astoria Bridge in the town of Chinook.
From Portland:Take I-5 north, then SR 4 west, then SR 401. Park is two miles west of the Astoria Bridge on U.S. Hwy. 101 in the town of Chinook.
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