In the Pacific Northwest, there is a stretch of Coastline that holds the ominous name of The Graveyard of the Pacific. It is here that hundreds, if not thousands, of boats have run aground and met their demise over the centuries.
Imagine being a ship captain in the 1800s and fighting your way through an infamous fall storm in the Pacific Northwest. After navigating the seas offshore, you find yourself inching closer to land, only to come upon the infamous Columbia River bar.
Here, the ever-shifting sands create unseen obstacles directly underneath the water below, and the river current where it meets the ocean creates waves that threaten to throw your boat off course and wreck it on the beaches.
These were the realities for ships entering the Columbia River, a stretch of water that still poses an incredible challenge for ships entering and exiting its waters.
On the beaches north and south of the bar, you can still find evidence of these shipwrecks, with one standing out above the rest.
Fort Stevens State Park
Fort Stevens State Park sits on the Oregon side of the Columbia River (Cape Disappointment State Park covers the land on the Washington side.)
The park encompasses much of the land just out into the mouth of the Columbia and is home to a decommissioned military installation, one of the largest campgrounds in the state, numerous lakes, and the aforementioned shipwreck on its beaches.
Because of this and its convenient proximity to Astoria and Cannon Beach, the park is one of the most popular in Oregon, with campsites booked up months in advance during the busy summer season.
Visiting the Shipwreck
The most popular sight at Fort Stevens is the shipwreck of the Peter Iredale. Over 100 years ago, this massive ship ran aground on the beach, and today, the steel skeleton of the ship still remains.
Getting to the shipwreck is super easy as there are parking areas right next to the beach, and it is just a short walk down to the water where this hulking structure remains.
At low tide, you can walk through the hull and take in just how large this ship really was.
Make sure to try to plan a visit around sunset (even though you most certainly will not be alone), as the setting sun casts a beautiful light on the ship.
The Peter Iredale isn’t the only shipwreck that sits on these beaches, although many of the others are at the mercy of the shifting sands and will be exposed one year and totally buried the next.
Exploring the Rest of the Park
While Peter Iredale may be the main attraction at Fort Stevens, there is still plenty more to explore in this wonderful park.
Military Installations
Fort Stevens’ military history dates back to 1863 and the Civil War! Over the years, the original dirt berms were replaced with concrete structures that housed troops, ammunition, and turrets.
During WWII, the Fort was fired upon by a Japanese submarine, making it the only mainland military base to be attacked since the War of 1812!
Today, you can walk through the old installations, although some have been roped off for visitors’ safety. Others, though, are fully open for you to explore at your leisure.
If you spend enough time walking through the park’s trails, you may even stumble upon a few buildings that aren’t marked on any official park maps…
Secluded Beaches
Fort Stevens State Park has over 5 miles of beaches with only a handful of parking lots to access them. The beaches here are also open to vehicles, making it easy to escape the crowds and find your own secluded stretch of sand.
Use caution if you decide to drive your car onto the beach as many, many vehicles have gotten stuck over the years and been destroyed by the incoming tides.
Miles of Trails
There are over 15 miles of biking and hiking trails crisscrossing their way through the park.
Some serve as thoroughfares for campers making their way to destinations like the Peter Iredale or Batter Russell, while others are overgrowth dirt paths through lush coastal forests.
Keep your eyes open on these trails as you are likely to catch sight of a resident elk or perhaps stumble upon a delicious patch of huckleberries or blackberries.
