Fort Stevens State Park, Military heritage site and state park in Warrenton, US

Fort Stevens State Park sits at the mouth of the Columbia River and combines vast woodlands, freshwater lakes, and sandy beaches with old military structures. The property spreads across several thousand acres with distinct zones ranging from thick forest to open coastal areas.

The fort was established in 1863 to guard the Columbia River and remained a key defense post for over 80 years. It experienced a rare moment during World War II when it came under attack from across the ocean, before being deactivated in 1947.

The Friends of Old Fort Stevens run a small museum and souvenir shop, and several times a year the grounds host reenactments of Civil War and World War II scenes. A former officers' quarters built in 1905 now serves as a privately run guesthouse with Victorian interiors.

The park charges an entry fee and holds Oregon's largest campground, with 600 sites. More than 14 km of bike and hiking trails cross the park, and the northern end of the Oregon Coast Trail lies in its north. Coffenbury Lake has two swimming areas, a picnic area with restrooms and a boat ramp; two other lakes have ramps for canoeists and anglers.

The wreck of the steel sailing ship Peter Iredale sits visible on the beach and marks one of many vessels that failed to navigate these dangerous waters. The ship has been part of the landscape for over 100 years and shows how the elements gradually transform metal.