Fort Clatsop

Fort Clatsop is a replica of a wooden fortification on the Lewis and Clark River near Astoria in northwest Oregon. The site consists of low log cabins arranged around an open yard, surrounded by a wooden palisade.

The original structure was built in the winter of 1805 and 1806 when an expedition led by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis stayed there. The current fort was rebuilt in 2006 following a fire and follows historical records.

The fort takes its name from the Clatsop people who lived in the region and helped guide the expedition through unfamiliar territory. The wooden structures reflect how shelter and daily routines were organized during a winter spent far from home in the early 1800s.

The visitor center offers films and exhibits about the expedition and life on the Pacific coast, while rangers regularly conduct demonstrations inside the fort itself. The site is located in wooded terrain with walking paths along the river.

The 2006 reconstruction uses modern fire detection equipment hidden beneath the wooden beams. Each year visitors carve small canoes using Clatsop techniques during workshops.

Location: Clatsop County

Part of: Lewis and Clark Expedition

Website: https://nps.gov/places/fort-clatsop-or.htm

GPS coordinates: 46.13361,-123.88028

Latest update: December 6, 2025 11:00