Fort Stevens State Park

Fort Stevens State Park sits on the shores of the Columbia River. As one of the primary military defense installations in the U.S. Government's Harbor Defense System, this area was an active military site for over 80 years. Nowadays, Fort Stevens State Park has blossomed into a 4,300-acre state park that provides a beautiful glimpse into American history. 

There are a museum and information center, which are located just inside of the main entrance of the Fort Stevens State Park and provide several infographics about this historic park's wartime past. There are also several structures from this time that are still standing, including the United States' only Civil War-era earthen fort, which is still in one piece. 

During the summertime, there are frequent tours that take guests through several of these ruins, as well as an underground tour that contains a rare, untouched gun battery from World War II. If you're looking to schedule time on these tours, make sure to contact the Friends of Old Fort Stevens at 503-861-2000. Canines are forbidden from entering any of these indoor sites. 

The campgrounds at Fort Stevens State Park are fairly substantial, with 174 full hookup sites available to the public, 36 of which you can park your car or RV on. Also, there are over 300 sites with electrical, and 15 rentable yurts. For individuals who do not care to rough it, 11 deluxe cabins can be rented long-term up to one year in advance. Canines are welcome to accompany families on these sites provided owners pay an additional pet deposit. 

Visiting canines are to be kept on a six-foot leash or shorter. If you are looking to get out and explore, there are six miles of cycling trails and four miles of hiking paths. These all line the beautiful sandy beaches that make Fort Stevens State Park such a popular summertime attraction. Canines can accompany owner onto these hiking trails as long as they stay on their leashes.