Civil War reenactments, blacksmithing demonstrations, walking tours of underground bunkers, and tours of the park from the back of a 1950s Army truck are available in summer. To find the entrance to the park's historical area, drive Hwy. 101 south of Astoria six miles and follow signs to Fort Stevens Historic Area. At the north end of Fort Stevens State Park, huge waves explode against the boulders of the South Jetty, where the Columbia River meets the ocean. Freighters steam nearby.
Brown pelicans circle offshore, then suddenly dive beak-first in the hopes of spearing fish.
To find the jetty, drive Hwy. From here you can either explore left along the jetty a few hundred yards to the broad ocean beach, or hike right 0.5 mile along the sandy margin of the jetty to the Columbia River's calmer beach. On the way watch for the tracks of large brown California ground squirrels. A well-maintained network of hiking and paved biking trails connect many of the main features of Fort Stevens State Park through the flat coastal forest. If you're hiking with kids, head for the 2.4-mile loop around Coffenbury Lake.