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Fort Columbia Historical State Park
Military and maritime history buffs, take note! Fort Columbia State Park is considered one of the most intact historic coastal defense sites in the U.S.
Constructed between 1896 and 1903, renovated during World War II and de-commissioned in 1947, this day-use park on Chinook Point near the mouth of the Columbia River will take you back to the early 20th Century.
Fort Columbia’s small size and the historic integrity of its buildings give visitors an intimate feel for what life must have been like during its active years. Stroll amidst officers’ homes, artillery batteries and two 6-inch, rapid-fire, World War II-era guns that are among six still in existence. The guns were transferred to the park in 1994 from a U.S. Navy facility in Newfoundland. Peruse the park’s interpretive center for artifacts, photos and stories about exploration, the fur trade and the military community on the Columbia.
In addition to its historical significance, the area offers bird watching, miles of forested hiking trails and secluded beaches. Two of the restored buildings are available for rent; these vacation houses are perfect for family reunions and retreats.
Park features
Fort Columbia Historical State Park is a 618-acre, day-use historical park located within Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Park. The park sits along 6,400 feet of freshwater shoreline on the Columbia River. Chinook Point, the setting of this historic fort, is within the accustomed territory of the Chinook Indian Nation and is designated as a National Historic Landmark for its historical significance over three centuries.
Automated pay stations: This park is equipped with automated pay stations for visitors to purchase a one-day or annual Discover Pass and boat launch permit.
PARK WI-FI SERVICE
Free, high-speed Wi-Fi access is available in limited coverage areas at Fort Columbia. For more information on coverage areas and hours of service at Fort Columbia and our growing list of parks with Wi-Fi service, visit our parks Wi-Fi page.
ADA amenities/facilities
- Restroom
Use our interactive ADA recreation map to search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities.
Picnic & day-use facilities The park has 10 unsheltered picnic tables, available first come, first served.
Activities
Trails
- 2.5miles of hiking trails
Other activities & features
- Bird watching
- Museum
- Wildlife viewing
Interpretive opportunities
The park offers a self-guided interpretive historic walk with information on various fort features and site history. Interpretive panels near the gun batteries include historic photos and blueprints.
THE INTERPRETIVE CENTER IS CLOSED FOR 2022
The Interpretive Center focuses on Fort Columbia’s history, including the topics of early exploration, fur trade and westward settlement. The Fort Columbia Interpretive Center is open daily July 1 - Sept. 5, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Commanding Officer’s Historic House is filled with era-appropriate furnishings and provides interpretation on the history related to the former house occupants. The house is currently closed.
Additional information
Vacation houses
Fort Columbia features two historic vacation houses for overnight stays.
Reservations & fees
Vacation house reservations can be made online or by calling 888-CAMPOUT (888-226-7688).
Historical information
Current-day Fort Columbia Historical State Park lies within the cultural territory of the Chinook Indian Nation, whose people traditionally engaged in a rich fur trade and still live in the area today.
In 1792, American explorer and fur trader Robert Gray became the first Euro-American to enter the mouth of the Columbia River. He anchored at Chinook Point, and he named the river for his ship, The Columbia Rediviva.
Two land features, Scarborough Hill and Chinook Point, became useful navigational points for mariners crossing the Columbia River Bar, until navigational equipment advanced in the 1850s and the two landmarks became less relevant.
Captain James Scarborough, a British sailor and employee of the Hudson's Bay Company, was the first Euro-American to settle the land. He established a productive farm in the 1840s, but passed away in 1855.
The U.S. military purchased the property in 1864, though it was not developed until the turn of the century. In 1895, the War Department decided to strengthen and modernize the coastal defenses at the mouth of the Columbia. Construction began in 1897, the first garrison of soldiers arrived in 1903, and the fort was completed in 1904.
Fort Columbia remained operational through World War I and II, though it never fired a shot outside of training in all those years. The fort almost saw action once during World War II, when a Japanese submarine fired nine shots at nearby Fort Stevens.
In 1947, Fort Columbia was declared surplus by the military. It was acquired by Washington State Parks in 1950 and opened as a park in 1951.
Weather forecast
Contact Us
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Fort Columbia State Park
475 State Route 101
Chinook, WA 98614
Phone: (360) 642-3078
Hours
Summer
6:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Winter
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Vacation houses are available for rent year round.