Fort Columbia Historical State Park is where you can imagine what life was really like for soldiers stationed on the coast during the World Wars. It’s one of the most well-preserved coastal defense spots in the U.S., and features two of the remaining six World War II-era disappearing guns, original officers’ homes, and other historic wood-frame structures. If you’re more into scenery, there is no lack of natural beauty at Fort Columbia. From beach shoreline exploration on the Columbia River estuary to hiking wooded trails on the hillside, you get the best of the Pacific Northwest coast. While Fort Columbia is mostly a day-use park, there are two historic vacation houses open year round for overnight guests.
Fort Columbia is designated as a National Historic Landmark as part of its fur trading history. Between 1975 and 1804, the mouth of the Columbia River was a hotbed for American and British trade with Indigenous people. In 1806, Lewis and Clark stopped at the now-park for a break during their expedition to the Pacific Ocean and met a Chinook village who helped them survive the winter.
