Campground Review: Fort Stevens State Park

The Oregon coast is full of amazing places to visit and sights to see. One of our favorite spots is Fort Stevens State Park, near Astoria, Oregon. As the name suggests, it was initially a military fort which was in service for 84 years. Today it’s a 4200 acre state park that offers many recreational opportunities including camping, hiking, watersports, and more.

The Campground

It’s a beautiful, forested campground with over 450 campsites available for RVers. 300 of those sites have electric and water hookups. There are even 146 sites with full hookups including sewer. But don’t worry, if you don’t book a site with full hookups there’s a 3-lane dump station that is free for registered campers. If you don’t want to camp in an RV or tent there are also 15 yurts and 11 cabins to choose from.

The campground is split into 14 loops, each with its own camp host and restroom facilities. Several of those restrooms also include showers. Of course each campsite varies, but most are shaded and have plenty of vegetation around and between each other. That’s great news if you enjoy feeling more like you’re in a forest instead of a parking lot. Not so great if you plan on using Starlink or a satellite TV provider.

Details

Address: 100 Peter Iredale Rd, Hammond, OR 97121
Seasons/Dates: Some loops close seasonally, but there are always some open year-round
Cost: $24-$47 depending on site type and state of residence. Non-Oregon residents are charged 25% extra for RV sites.
Reservation Site: ReserveAmerica.com

Things To Do

There is no shortage of things to do at Fort Stevens State Park. There are 15 miles of trails for hiking and biking, including many that will take you to other attractions in the park. You can also drive to most of these spots if you prefer.

One of the most popular sites is the Wreck of the Peter Iredale. The steel remnants of this 1906 shipwreck are embedded in the beach and offer a great opportunity for photos. The beach is also great for flying kites, having a picnic, watching a sunset, or just enjoying the sound of crashing waves. Depending on which loop your campsite is in, the hike to the shipwreck is about a 3 mile hike round trip.

If you enjoy history you can explore the only Civil War era earthen fort on the west coast. There are also several concrete artillery gun batteries you can check out. So many historical sites are view-only with everything stuck behind glass. But these batteries offer a great opportunity to literally walk through and touch a piece of history.

For campers looking for more active recreation options there are plenty to choose from. Aside from the hiking and biking trails, there are two lakes where you can swim, fish, or kayak. Near the fort there’s a disc golf putting course. And for the kids there are several playgrounds.

Nearby

There is plenty to do outside of the park as well. Just a few minutes away is the town of Warrenton where you’ll find multiple grocery stores, Home Depot, Costco, and more. If you’re looking for a restaurant or brewery there are several great options within 30 minutes.

Astoria

Just 20 minutes away is the port town of Astoria, Oregon, known for being the location of the house in the movie The Goonies. It also has several breweries where you can find great food and delicious craft beer. A few of our favorites are Buoy Brewing, Rogue Pier 39 Public House, and Astoria Brewing Company. If you’re looking for something other than food and beverages, check out the views from the Astoria Column, or tour the Columbia River Maritime Museum.

Cannon Beach

Thirty minutes south of the park you’ll find one of our favorite spots on the coast, Cannon Beach. It’s a tourist town full of shops and restaurants with easy beach access. The most popular attraction there is Haystack Rock which was also featured in The Goonies. If you’re visiting during the summer, especially on a nice, warm day, be prepared for large crowds and limited parking.

Our absolute favorite place to visit in Cannon Beach is Public Coast Brewing. They have the best fish and chips, loaded fries they call “dirty fries” with your choice of sauces, and of course delicious beer. Another brewery we’ve enjoyed several times is Pelican Brewing. Both breweries have their own private parking lots which can come in clutch during those busy seasons.

Ecola State Park

One last spot worth mentioning is a hidden gem named Ecola State Park. It’s much smaller than Fort Stevens State Park, but definitely worth a quick stop for the breathtaking views. After a 2 mile drive up a narrow road (I don’t recommend towing or driving a large vehicle on this road) you’ll pay $5 for a day pass and find a large parking lot.

From there a short trail takes you to the edge of a cliff where you can look over Crescent Beach while mist from the pacific ocean swirls around you. The first time we visited Erin said it reminded her of cliffs in Scotland. If you visit during winter or spring, be sure to keep an eye out for migrating whales!

Tips

• Sites next to the main road are best if you plan on using Starlink or satellite TV. With a long enough cable you can place your dish closer to the road and away from trees.
• Several loops sell firewood and fire starters across from that loop’s camp host.
• The KOA directly across the street from the park entrance sells ice, firewood, and other RV items you might need during your stay.
• There is a small camp store at the intersection of the main road and the campground road where you can buy ice and rent bicycles.
• If you are not an Oregon resident, the cost you see initially is NOT the price you will pay. When you add the site to your cart and get an official subtotal you’ll see an extra 25% added for being an out-of-state resident.

Our Rating

The fact that this is our most visited campground should make it pretty clear how we feel. It’s hard to find a bad thing to say about Fort Stevens State Park. The tree cover can be a negative if you’ll be working and rely on Starlink service. The only other negative we’ve really encountered is a long line at the dump station if you leave on a Sunday, but that’s going to be the case at most large campgrounds.

In our experience campgrounds that are quiet and good for relaxing often don’t have a lot to do nearby. And those with a lot to do tend to be busier (and louder) campgrounds. Fort Stevens State Park is that rare campground where you can be perfectly happy whether you want to constantly be on the move, or just want to relax in a peaceful setting and dive into a good book. Overall this is a fantastic campground that we would highly recommend to anyone who wants to visit the Oregon coast.

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