Fort Stevens was the primary military defense installation in the three fort Harbor Defense System at the mouth of the Coumbia River (Forts Canby and Columbia in Washington were the other two). The fort served for 84 years, beginning with the Civil War and closing at the end of World War II. Today, Fort Stevens has grown into a 3,700 acre park offering exploration of history, nature and recreational opportunities. Camping, beachcombing, fresh water lake swimming, trails, wildlife viewing, a historic shipwreck and a military historical area make Fort Stevens a uniquely diversified park. A network of 9 miles of bicycle trails and 6 miles of hiking trails allow you to explore the park through spruce and hemlock forests, wetlands, dunes and shore pine.

• Visit the only enclosed civil war earthworks site on the west coast and explore the gun batteries.
• During the summer, watch the blacksmiths work, tour a rare 90-year old underground gun battery that served as a WWII command center, and take a truck tour of the fortifications spanning the Spanish-American War and WWII.