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You can walk the grounds at your own pace on the Fort Stevens Military Loop Hike, but the best way to appreciate the area’s rich history is from the back of a WWII Army transport truck on a guided tour. Once the primary military defense installation in the three-fort Harbor Defense System at the mouth of the Columbia River, Fort Stevens served as an Army base from the Civil War until the end of World War II. Hours: 9am–6pm (Summer), 9am–5pm (Winter).Best Time to Visit: Mid-June Through Labor Day Weekend.If a 2.4-mile river-walk sounds too easy, you can take the 13-mile Fort to Sea Hike from Sunset Beach. The easiest hike to Fort Clatsop is the Netul River Trail along the Lewis and Clark River. The park itself is open year-round, so don’t rule out Fort Clatsop just because you can’t make it when the rangers are wearing beaver hats and moccasins. They also run a special program the week after Christmas, with limited events the rest of the year. The best part of Fort Clatsop is the costumed actors and ranger-led programs, though these are only available over the summer from mid-June through Labor Day weekend. The visitor’s center features an exhibit hall and bookstore, and there are illustrative trails throughout the surrounding area. The original fort didn’t survive, but there’s an excellent replica of Fort Clatsop on the original grounds based on descriptions from Lewis and Clark’s journals. Through the winter they traded with the local Chinook Indians, repaired clothing and equipment, and gathered food for their journey home. Detailsįort Clatsop served as the winter encampment for Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery from December 1805 to March 1806. The three-mile lollipop loop also includes a visit to the Cathedral Tree, a giant 300-year-old Sitka Spruce with a hollow base that you can walk inside. You can skip the parking fee by taking the Cathedral Tree to Coxcomb Hill Hike, which culminates at the Astoria Column. You’ll find a small gift shop near the column where your little ones can buy a model airplane to fly from the top of the Column. There’s no charge to climb the Astoria Column and enjoy the viewing platform, though the park charges a small parking fee for vehicles. Using a unique technique known as sgraffito, Pusteria depicts three important episodes in the region’s Euro-American history: the explorations of Robert Gray, the arrival of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery, and the arrival of the Tonquin, the ship John Jacob Astor used to establish an outpost for the Pacific Fur Company. Modeled after Trajan’s Column in Rome, the Astoria Column features original artwork by Italian artist Attilio Pusteria honoring the rich history of Columbia River Mouth. Most come for the sweeping panoramic vistas, but if you look closely you’ll appreciate the history, too. More than 400,000 people visit the Astoria Column each year, making it one of the most visited parks in all of Oregon. With a viewing deck 600 feet above sea level, the Astoria Column offers unrivaled views of the Columbia River, Young’s Bay, the Coast Range, and in the distance, the Pacific Ocean. So grab your hiking boots and ready for a history lesson as we guide you through our favorite lighthouses and historic sites on the Oregon Coast. We’ve also outlined a great hike to go with each one in case you want to make your visit extra adventurous.
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This list has every single Oregon lighthouse plus a half dozen notable historic sites you won’t want to miss either. But there’s plenty to see down south, too - whether you’re looking for a peek into 19th century farm life or a glimpse at one of nine year-round lifeboat stations from the mid-1900s. Most of the historic sites cluster around the northwest tip of the state where Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery finally reached the Pacific Ocean and John Jacob Astor founded what would become the first city in the state, Astoria. The Oregon Coast is home to 12 lighthouses, many of which were commissioned during the 19th century. Follow the 382-mile Oregon Coast Trail and you’ll discover a number of historic treasures along the way.
