Fort Cascades, Military fort along Columbia River in Skamania County, Washington, United States.
Fort Cascades was a military post built along the Columbia River with structures and foundations dating to the 1850s. A trail loop winds through the site revealing the layout and remains of this historical military establishment.
The fort was built in 1855 to protect shipping traffic around the Cascades Rapids and was abandoned within six years. Military conflicts in the region led to its closure.
Indigenous communities maintained fishing and trading operations in this area for generations. The location served as a gathering place where people managed vital river routes and sustained their way of life through these waters.
The grounds are open to visitors without permits, and informational signs along the trail explain what you are seeing. The walking path is straightforward and allows you to explore at your own pace.
A major flood in 1894 completely destroyed the nearby town of Cascades, which had served as the county seat. The disaster eliminated the settlement permanently and changed the course of the region.
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