From Beverly Beach State Park we headed north to Fort Stevens State Park (or Elk Land, Elk Island, Elkizona, Elkville, Elkopolous). We gracefully dodged elk land mines, watched a man and his dog get chased by an elk behind our camper, saw a 235-foot-tall rock on the beach, explored Fort Stevens, Astoria, Cape Disappointment and everything else we could cram in, in just a few, short days!

Fort Stevens State Park

Upon our arrival at Fort Stevens State Park we were greeted by a closed welcome center that had a military Jeep out front. Greg couldn’t resist sitting in it, of course.

Fort Stevens State Park is about the northernmost point of coastal Oregon where the Pacific Ocean and Columbia River converge. The campground is huge with hundreds of campsites. It felt nearly empty in December, but the summertime must be a wild time. There is what remains of a creepy shipwreck on one of the beaches, the wreck of the Peter Iredale from 1906. The entire ship was once on the beach and after over 100 years just a small bit of the hull remains. It will probably be completely gone one day soon.

Fort Stevens Historical Sites

The actual fort, Fort Stevens, was once an active military fort and was targeted by the Japanese in 1942. Brookings, Oregon was also a target as the Japanese tried to start a forest fire there with artillery. (I am recalling this information from reading tourist signs I did while there, so trust, but verify.) I never realized that another country has ever fired upon the U.S. mainland. Fascinating!

The fort still has building foundations of military housing, the hospital, chapel, a power plant, observation towers, artillery batteries, a nearby national cemetery and more elk than I have ever seen in one place. There was so much elk poop that it was actually difficult to walk at times. We did get to see two male elk play fighting by knocking their antlers. Very cool and slightly terrifying due to their massiveness.

More Awesome Oregon Coast Sites & Sights

We visited Cannon Beach where Haystack Rock looms over the landscape whether you are on the beach or simply driving nearby. I have never seen such a large rock!

We also visited Hug Point which has amazing views and sea caves accessible during low tide. We were about an hour late, so we had to sprint into the caves and then hightail it out of there as the water receded with each wave. It’s all about timing and retiree-level prowess.

Every time we stopped along the 101 our surroundings were breathtaking. And there were cute shops and VERY overpriced restaurants. I was excited to buy some fabulous Chanterelle mushrooms at a small shop. I could only financially justify half a pound, but they did not disappoint.

Astoria

Astoria is just a few minutes from Fort Stevens, so we were able to make a quick trip to see some of its highlights. It was quite charming and we are going to spend more time there in the future. On a very quick trip we were able to see the Kindergarten Cop school, The Goonies house (from a distance) and a charming waterfront area. The most important reason we went to Astoria was to scope out the huge Megler Bridge that crosses the Columbia River so that Greg could determine whether or not he wanted to tow our camper over it. The answer was no. We crossed at Longview instead.

Cape Disappointment

The only disappointment at Cape Disappointment was that there was no bathroom in the parking area NOR at the lighthouse. So I hiked uphill over half a mile and then back with a bladder that did not appreciate the uphill part at all. But it was worth it! And following in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark (literally), I couldn’t complain as I climbed into the truck with its heated seats to find a bathroom.

Catio Corner

We’d like to log a complaint that we want the catio to be accessible more often, because it’s getting crowded in this place! You keep telling us that “it’s raining” or “you’ll be cold.” Don’t you know that we don’t speak your language? Sheesh.