Fort Columbia is located in Pacific County on Highway 101, two miles southeast of Chinook.

Acreage

592.6 acres with 6,400 feet of freshwater shoreline on the Columbia River.

Acquired

Fort Columbia State Park was acquired in four parcels; the first three parcels (beginning in 1950) from General Services Administration and the last parcel from Washington Department of Highways in 1958.

Historical Background

This Fort, along with Fort Canby and Fort Stevens on the Oregon side, constituted the harbor defense of the Columbia River from 1896 until 1947 when Fort Columbia was declared surplus by the U.S. Government. These fortifications went through the activities of being fully manned to caretaker status for three wars ­­ Spanish­American, World War I, and World War II, with Fort Stevens being headquarters for this harbor defense. The area was the home of the Chinook Indians and their famed Chief Comcomly. Captain Robert Gray dropped anchor near here after his discovery of the Columbia River.

Facilities

Two comfort stations, 26 picnic sites, two Interpretive Centers, and parking for 225 cars. In May 1958, the U.S.G.S.A. deeded eight acres between Fort Columbia and the community of Chinook to the Commission. In July 1963, the Commission granted a permit to Pacific County to extend an existing county park to include these eight acres. This permit expires in 1998. In May 1978, the Commission entered into an agreement with the American Youth Hostel Association for the operation of a youth hostel in the park.

Activities

Picnicking, observation of historical fortification, hiking, and Interpretive Center visitation.

Courtesy of Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission