This stunning beach is a half-hour from Forks, WA and about 3 1/2 hours from Seattle. Ruby Beach is off Highway 101 pretty much in the middle of nowhere—and that’s part of its charm.

Whether the weather is moody or bright, this beach won’t disappoint. Its sea stacks, gnarled driftwood, swimming hole and dramatic views make Ruby Beach an unforgettable spot in Washington.

Exploring Ruby Beach, WA

Ruby Beach lies within the traditional Hoh and Quinault territories.

This Olympic National Park beach is best known for its rocky beach, dramatic sea stacks and tumbles of driftwood. You can climb into and onto rock formations throughout the beach.

(Edie, our mountain goat, wanted to climb to the tippy top of every rock she saw. Thankfully she listens when we tell her to come down. Mostly.)

When you first arrive at Ruby Beach, you’ll notice that Cedar Creek creates a kid-friendly swimming hole just past the trail access point. We saw kids full-on swimming here and floating on logs. This spot is not open to the Pacific Ocean, so kids don’t have to worry about waves.

Even if you forgot the swimming suits, the pool just begs to be waded through. Or try your hand at skipping rocks!

Speaking of rocks, look closely around rock formations at low tide for sea stars, sea anemones, crabs and other ocean life.

Out to sea, spot Abbey Island to the north. Sea stacks are what locals call the smaller rock outcroppings in the ocean. These rock formations offer habitat to the Olympic National Park’s wildlife. And they look positively eerie when emerging from the mist!

The short Ruby Beach hike

When you search online, you might come across articles on the Ruby Beach hike. In reality, the “hike” is a quarter-mile walk down to the beach.

The trail is paved but steep. (I carried 5-year-old Maxine the whole way up during one visit and was definitely out of breath at the top!) This hike is not an accessible trail, although there is an accessible view point at the very top.

The Ruby Beach trail is quite narrow, so you’ll come closer than 6 feet to other people when you pass. I found that the vast majority of people were respecting social distancing and mask wearing guidelines.

At the base of the short Ruby Beach hike, you’ll find two entries to the beach. The first access point requires you to scramble over quite a bit of driftwood. The second access point includes a little path carved around the wood, though you’ll still need to step over weather-bleached logs in a few places.

If you’re looking for a strenuous Olympic National Park hike, Ruby Beach isn’t for you. But if you want a short walk with a big reward, you’ll want to add this to your itinerary, especially if you need a place to stretch your legs on a road trip.

What to expect on this gem of a beach

Olympic National Park is the ninth most-visited national park in the US, drawing more than 3 million visitors in 2019. So when you head to Ruby Beach, don’t expect an empty stretch of coastline.

Even during COVID times, Ruby Beach becomes quite busy. The parking lot fills up and the short hike down to the beach is narrow. You’ll come into contact with other people so wear your mask.

That said, with so much space to spread out, you won’t feel crowded once you get down to the beach.

Mornings are less busy at Ruby Beach, so aim to arrive early to have a better chance of snagging a parking spot.

Vault toilets are available in the parking lot off Highway 101, and when we visited, they were well maintained. You’ll also find dog waste bags in a dispenser for your four-legged travel buddy. (Even if you don’t have a dog, take a bag and fill it with any garbage you find on the beach. Throw it in the trash on your way out.)

As this is a national park, know of a few additional rules:

• Drones are not allowed on Ruby Beach (or anywhere else in any national park).
• Do not take any souvenirs (rocks, driftwood, etc.) from the beach.
• You are also on traditional Native Nations land. Treat it respectfully.

Directions to Ruby Beach, Washington

Whether you’re taking an Olympic National Park road trip, camping nearby or making a day trip of your visit, directions to Ruby Beach, WA are straightforward.

If you’re coming from Seattle, Tacoma or Olympia, drive to Aberdeen and then head north on Highway 101. You’ll pass a few small towns but this is wilderness. Tall trees tower over the two-lane highway.

About 10 minutes north of Kalaloch Lodge, you’ll see a sign for Ruby Beach. The parking lot is on the west (ocean-side) of the highway, so you’ll need to cross oncoming traffic. If you reach the Hoh River, you’ve gone too far.

If you’re coming from the northern Olympic Peninsula, drive south on Highway 101. A half-hour south of Forks, you’ll find the Ruby Beach parking lot on your right. You’ll reach it about 10 minutes after crossing the Hoh River.

By the way, if you’re on an Olympic National Park road trip, you need my book Road Trip Games & Activities for Kids! The 33 fun, customizable games and free printables will keep you entertained along every mile! Simply click the image below and snag yourself a copy today.

Gorgeous Olympic National Park beaches

It’s impossible to pick the best beaches in Olympic National Park. If you were to make a list, though, Ruby Beach would be on it.

This extremely photogenic stop off Highway 101 won’t disappoint folks looking to take photos on the Olympic Peninsula.

If you’re looking for other Olympic National Park beaches, drive north past Forks, WA to Rialto Beach. Read everything you need to know about this spot (including a low tide-only hike!) in my full post on exploring Rialto Beach, WA.

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This stone and sand beach, with its eerie Tree Graveyard and massive collection of driftwood, is unlike anyplace else. And if you time your visit right, you can hike to Hole in the Wall. This unique rock formation at the end of the beach is only accessible at low tide, when you’ll also find tide pools and a path to a remote stretch of sand.

Some of my favorite features of Rialto Beach, WA:

• Tree Graveyard: line of standing bleached trees along the shore
• Driftwood: piles of twisted wood washed ashore
• Stone beach: a mix of agates (some as big as a fist) and volcanic rock (many perfect for skipping)
• Hole in the Wall: a majestic rock formation less crowded than the main Rialto Beach
• Sea stacks: offshore islands, called sea stacks, dot the horizon
• Wildlife: home to eagles, shorebirds, sea otters, sea lions and whales

Read on for all the details you need on visiting Rialto Beach, Washington. My post outlines the must-know info for the hike to Hole in the Wall, where to park at Rialto Beach, COVID-19 restrictions and Rialto Beach camping.

Background on Rialto Beach, WA

Rialto Beach is just north of La Push, WA, a town on Quileute Native land. (You can see La Push from Rialto Beach by looking south across the Quillayute River.)

As of this writing, all Native land in this area, including La Push, is closed to restrict the spread of coronavirus. That means no visitors at all. As a result, First Beach and Second Beach are inaccessible. Once we’ve moved past the worst of this virus, I’m excited to visit for La Push Days, a July event that celebrates Quileute culture.

Rialto Beach is about 20 minutes west of Forks, Washington. Forks has the most lodging, restaurants, cafes and grocery stores in this area if you need to stock up on anything.

And if any of these places or names sound familiar, it might be because you recognize them from the Twilight series. These books are set in Forks, WA and the surrounding area. Jacob Black and the other characters who can turn into werewolves are members of the Quileute Nation.

Exploring Rialto Beach, Washington

Rialto Beach is a gorgeous, easily accessible beach on the Olympic Peninsula. Unlike many other beaches in the area, you don’t have to hike at all to reach the shoreline. What’s more, an accessible sidewalk leads to a viewpoint that overlooks the beach.

Millions of round rocks cover the shore here. They’re primarily volcanic stone, their edges worn into smooth ovals after years and years. Keep an eye out for agates, too. We found some that were the size of my fist. (A reminder to leave everything you find, as this is part of a national park and marine sanctuary.)

From the Rialto Beach access point, you can walk a short ways south. Before long, though, you’ll reach Quileute land, which is currently closed to visitors.

When you turn north, though, you have more than 1.5 miles of beach to explore. The farther you walk, the fewer people you encounter.

Rialto Beach is part of the Olympic Peninsula so you need to be prepared for any kind of weather. One day we visited and the beach was blanketed in a thick fog. Another day I returned and saw nothing but sun; I ended up in my tank top. Even if it’s sunny and hot where you’re staying, the micro-climates along the Olympic Peninsula could cause a weird pocket of fog, rain or clouds.

As Rialto Beach is primarily rock, we left our sand toys in the car. I also recommend wearing sturdy shoes, not flimsy flip flops, as you’ll be walking over lots of rocks.

Finally, check out the sea stacks that rise out of the Pacific Ocean. These rock islands, or outcroppings, used to be part of the stone headlands where land met the sea. Over time, the ocean eroded the softer rock around what are now sea stacks, leaving them standing alone in the water.

Tree Graveyard and driftwood at Rialto Beach

One of the most striking features of Rialto Beach: the line of bleached tree skeletons lining the shore, nicknamed the Tree Graveyard. These eerie trees stand like sentinels watching the ocean. I like to imagine them staying on the lookout for pirates. (Maxine is all about playing pirates at the beach!)

These wind-battered sitka spruce trunks create a border between the beach and the green forest inland. They look a bit like rib bones sticking up from the shore.

Enormous piles of driftwood also draw visitors and professional photographers to Rialto Beach. We loved checking out the gnarled roots and splintered trunks that line the beach. Most of these are safe to climb or sit on, but be careful: You never know when one could shift.

Previous beach-goers built forts of driftwood, many of which are still standing. Maxine and Edie explored every one, creating imaginary games inside.

Tides and storms constantly reshape this beach, so it’s different every time you visit. I can’t wait to be surprised by the changes next time we go!

Hike to Hole in the Wall, WA

First and foremost: Hole in the Wall is accessible only at low tide. You’ll need to time your hike so you don’t get stranded with no way back until the next low tide.

Aim to arrive at Hole in the Wall about a half-hour before low tide. (Check tide charts here.) That will give you enough time to explore the rock formation and tide pools before heading back as the tide turns.

I needed less than 2 hours round-trip to do the Hole in the Wall hike. That said, I was walking very quickly (since low tide was shortly before sunset) and I didn’t have kids with me. You may need more time than I did.

About 1.5 miles north of the access point to Rialto Beach, you’ll find a dramatic rock formation called Hole in the Wall. Here, time and the constant push of the tides have carved an opening in the basalt cliff.

A quick moment to geek out: Geologists believe that this part of the Olympic Peninsula formed from the cooled eruption of undersea volcanoes. When volcanoes spewed lava far offshore, that lava hardened into basalt on the ocean floor. Then, as two tectonic plates slowly collided, this basalt buckled up—forming the cliffs we admire today.

So when you explore Hole in the Wall, you can impress everyone by explaining how they’re actually walking on cooled lava from more than 34 million years ago.

To get to Hole in the Wall, you’ll start at the main Rialto Beach access point. Take a right when you reach the beach. Walk north along the shore for about 1.5 miles, when you’ll arrive at Hole in the Wall.

Along the way, you’ll cross Ellen Creek at about the 0.8 mile mark. Dogs are not allowed past this point. (Our pup Finn stayed behind on this hike.)

As you hike, watch the waves—I spotted a few sea lions. I also counted at least four bald eagles soaring overhead.

The hike to Hole in the Wall is more of a beach stroll than a proper hike: There’s no elevation gain, and your “trail” is just the shoreline. That doesn’t diminish this area’s stunning beauty.

Accessibility: Hikers will have to cross Ellen Creek. When I hiked to Hole in the Wall, I was able to walk up and around the creek so didn’t get my feet wet, but conditions are always changing. You may need to scramble here.

Additionally, you can see Hole in the Wall a bit from the south. But to really experience it, you’ll need to climb over uneven rocks and slippery spots. This is not a good hike for people with mobility limitations.

Tide pools at Hole in the Wall

Once you arrive at Hole in the Wall at Rialto Beach, you’ll want to explore. The outgoing tide leaves behind pools of water that collect in dips in the rocks. Sea anemones, sea stars, crabs and little fish all make their homes in these tide pools.

As you walk, be very careful. First of all, the seaweed that grows on the rocks is quite slick. Secondly, you’re walking over someone’s home. Watch where you step so you don’t crush a sea creature.

Remember that the tide pools are protected as part of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Look but don’t disturb the animals or habitats in the tide pools.

The tide pools extend for yards and yards toward the sea. As you make your way around the tide pools, you’ll come to the north side of Hole in the Wall. Lots of people stop here to take a photo of themselves in the hole.

Remember, keep an eye on the time and the tides. You’ll need to head back when the tide turns. This area becomes cut off from the main Rialto Beach as the tide comes in.

Rialto Beach camping

We haven’t camped at Rialto Beach—yet—but are excited to try!

Many folks camp north of Ellen Creek and even on the stretch of sand past Hole in the Wall, which is accessible only at low tide.

Campers must buy an overnight permit for Rialto Beach camping. Permits can be found at the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles. *Coronavirus update: The WIC is closed for social distancing. As of now, you must reserve your wilderness camping permit online. Here are instructions to get your permit online.

Although camping here is rugged—there are no toilet facilities and few semi-established sites—it’s quite busy. You will be sharing the area with plenty of other campers. Rialto Beach’s popularity as a camping spot makes it even more important to stick to leave no trace principles: Pack out all garbage and bury waste far from water sources (i.e. Ellen Creek).

As this camping area is remote, you’ll need to pack in all food and supplies. You can purify the fresh water at Ellen Creek for drinking water. All food must be stored in a bear canister. This is a national park wilderness after all! The hardware store in Forks also sells a variety of bear canisters.

Dogs are not allowed on overnight stays. Plenty of trees make excellent spots to hang hammocks, though—bring one that’s compact and lightweight like this one, which stuffs into a little bag for easy transportation!

Must-know details to visit Rialto Beach

Rialto Beach is within the Olympic National Park. That means you’re not able to collect rocks, driftwood or any other souvenirs from the beach.

Rialto Beach is even more popular now that access to First Beach and Second Beach is restricted. The parking lot is small and fills up quickly.

The shoulders along Mora Road have quite a lot of parking spots, though. Whenever I’ve visited Rialto Beach, I’ve had no trouble finding a parking spot on the side of the road, even during the summer. Note: All your wheels must be completely off the pavement or else you could get towed!

Safety reminder: If you park on the shoulder, you’ll need to walk on the road to reach the beach. (There is no sidewalk or trail.) You won’t be alone, and drivers move slowly on this stretch of road. That said, be extra-aware of your surroundings and move to the shoulder whenever cars pass. Hold onto children and keep dogs on a very short leash.

Rialto Beach maintains vault toilet facilities but bring your own TP and hand sanitizer in case it’s not well stocked.

Remember to wear your mask. You’ll pass plenty of people walking to and from the entrance to Rialto Beach. Once you get to the beach, you’ll be able to maintain social distance.

An unforgettable Olympic National Park beach

My family has officially fallen in love with the Olympic Peninsula and the Olympic National Park. From the forests and the hikes to the beaches and rock formations, there’s simply so much to experience in this gorgeous corner of the country.

Our five days camping and exploring in this area felt cruelly short. But I’m a big believer in leaving something to look forward to the next time we visit. We have plenty of plans to return as soon as we’re able!

Something tells me you’re hankering for a trip to the Olympic Peninsula, too. When you go, stop at Rialto Beach and let me know what you think.

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The beach is inherently fun, and we visit the Oregon Coast as often as we possibly can. The last time we went, I was inspired by our trip to Seattle’s Burke Museum of Natural History, and I introduced the girls to a new sandy activity: digging for dinosaurs at the beach!

As you can tell, it was a huge hit. Next time, I’m bringing even more plastic dinosaurs to discover.

Dig for dinosaurs at the beach

Moms who prepare to the nines to get the family to the beach, I feel you. You download family beach trip packing lists. You pack extra changes of clothes, baby wipes, backup shovels. You bring snacks. (Oh, the snacks.)

But if you bring just a few plastic dinosaurs, I can practically guarantee you’ll be the coolest mom at the beach.

Simply dig a little pit, stick in the dinos, cover them up—and let your kids at ‘em! They’ll love unburying the dinosaurs and feeling like real-live paleontologists.

My girls got so into digging for dinosaurs at the beach that they roamed around, picking up rocks and driftwood that they called fossils.

“What’s this one, Mom?” they’d ask me. “Dinosaur knee bone. Dinosaur skull. Dinosaur toe bone.” Then they’d bury them, dig them up and start all over again!

Our new favorite beach activity

My kids love building sand castles, chasing seagulls and ignoring my repeated requests to not run into the ocean fully clothed. But we’ve definitely found a new favorite beach activity.

For your next family beach trip, then, join my little family of wannabe paleontologists. You may even inspire a new passion for dinos!

What about you—do you have a favorite family beach activity?

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Have you tried camping in a yurt yet? Basically, yurt camping happened when tent camping and rustic cabins had a lovechild. Yurt camping gives you the best of both worlds: closeness to nature and the chance to build a campfire, but with a roof over your head, electricity and heat.

Yurt camping in Ft. Stevens was actually the first time we stayed in a yurt as a family, and we’ve done it many times since. (After all, Oregon’s dog-friendly yurts make it easy for our kids and pets!). Yurt camping in Oregon also lets us extend the camping season to the shoulder seasons and even the winter.

You see, when you have two young kids, the idea of tent camping in the spring, fall or winter—when weather could be awesome or could be pouring down rain—is too risky to chance it. Yurt camping in Ft. Stevens was a budget-friendly way to spend a few days outdoors—without the risk of getting completely and miserably soaked.

Ft. Stevens has more to offer than great camping accommodations, though. Whether you come to camp or for day use, you’ll love exploring this enormous state park. Play on the beach, climb the dunes, explore the Fort Stevens military base and climb in a real-live shipwreck from more than 100 years ago!

Bottom line: We absolutely love yurt camping, and Ft. Stevens State Park was a gorgeous, fun-filled place to camp. We visit this epic Oregon Coast destination whenever we can!

Yurt camping in Ft. Stevens: The yurts

You’re not exactly glamping when you’re staying in a state park yurt, but it has enough to be comfortable. It’s a small, round room with a bunk bed, a futon that can serve as a couch or lay flat as a bed, a table, two chairs—and electricity and heat. Standard yurts don’t have a bathroom (you have to walk a short distance to use the campground restrooms), although some campgrounds have deluxe yurts with a bathroom and tiny kitchen.

Heck yes!

I loved our yurt’s skylight, which kept the small space from feeling cramped. Our yurt had four outlets, all next to the door, and it was one of the yurts at Ft. Stevens that allowed pets. (When you make your reservation on Reserve America—the site that arranges campsite rentals for Ft. Stevens—make sure you select a dog-friendly yurt. These are marked by a little icon of a dog. You can also filter the available campsites by clicking the “yurt” button, so you’re only shown yurts—not other types of camping.)

Each Fort Stevens yurt has green space between its neighbors, and the yurt loop was tucked aside so the girls had a quiet road to ride their bikes. Hubs brought his disc golf basket and had plenty of room to putt. That said, you’re not that far from your neighbors, so you will hear noise from other sites—pretty standard for family camping in state parks.

When it rains, you’ll be beyond grateful for the yurt. During the most recent camping trip to Ft Stevens, it poured buckets one night. We 100% would have woken up in water had we been tent camping. Thankfully we stayed dry and cozy in the yurt!

See, that’s one of the best parts about yurt camping in Ft. Stevens: You can stay in this park even when the weather could be wet. When it rains, we all go inside for a little bit to read books, play board games or watch a movie on the kids’ tablet. As soon as the rain stops, we head back out to explore the park—or make s’mores!

Level 10 travel tip: There’s a Starbucks a 10 minutes’ drive away in Warrenton for parents who want a little more luxury than campfire coffee.

Camping in Ft. Stevens, Oregon: The campgrounds

Between the yurts, cabins, tent spots and RV sites, Ft. Stevens State Park has roughly 500 camping sites. We usually opt for much smaller campgrounds, but I was impressed that Ft. Stevens didn’t feel overrun with people. This is partly because of the two sections of campgrounds: south and north. In addition, sites are separated in loops, so you always have some space around you.

One benefit of staying at a large campground was all the amenities: hot showers, potable water spigots every few sites, wheelchair-accessible campsites, trash and recycling facilities, and clean bathrooms.

Note that there are now just two centralized trash and recycling centers—one in the north loops and another in the south. These have receptacles for garbage as well as cardboard, cans, plastic bottles, glass and even debris you’ve found on the beach. This means you’ll have to hang onto trash, including dog waste bags, then make a trip to the trash area. We didn’t find it inconvenient—it is just a part of the nightly routine so animals don’t get into the garbage bag!

Ft. Stevens also has miles of hiking trails and bike paths, as well as a playground. The next time we visit Fort Stevens, we’ll bring all our bikes and pedal from the campground all the way to the historic military fort. The bike path winds through forest, past a bird observation blind and across a few bridges—terrific scenery kids love.

Bottom line: There are plenty of family-friendly activities to keep you and the kids busy!

Level 10 travel tip: Watch for the camp hosts driving a golf cart: They’ll deliver firewood to your site! Wood is $6 a bundle, and fire starters are $1 apiece.

Oregon’s Ft. Stevens: The beach

Ft. Stevens State Park is enormous: It’s made up of 4,300 acres of the northernmost part of the Oregon Coast, and it bumps up against the Columbia River. Several miles of wide beach stretches along the park. Three main entry points provide access to the all-public beach. This helps spread people out so there aren’t huge crowds on nice days, like there are in nearby Seaside, Oregon.

In fact, one of the days we were yurt camping in Ft. Stevens, we were the only ones on the beach we could see.

Did know that every square inch of the Oregon Coast is public, meaning no one can buy the beach? #peoplescoast

Level 10 travel tip: Cars are allowed to drive on certain stretches of the beach in Ft. Stevens, which isn’t really my thing, but be sure to watch for cars when you have little kids or dogs running around.

Dunes line the beach, too. My kids love climbing the dunes then running full-speed down the sandy mountains!

Ft. Stevens camping: The shipwreck

When I told Edie there was a shipwreck on the beach in Ft. Stevens, she told me, “But shipwrecks are only underwater.” She was completely enchanted, then, when she spotted the rusted remains of the Peter Iredale, an English ship that ran aground here in 1906.

The metal skeleton of the ship is a highlight of Ft. Stevens State Park and attracts small crowds of visitors. Peeper and Kiwi delighted in looking around the shipwreck and spotting more pieces a short distance away from the main wreckage. Some of them were essentially tide pools, housing sea creatures inside. The shipwreck is a must-see highlight if you’re yurt camping in Ft. Stevens State Park. 

Level 10 travel tip: If your kids are really interested in the shipwreck, you can bring along a pirate’s hat or a few other props and take pictures of them dressed as buccaneers in front of the wreckage!

The Peter Iredale was just one ship among many that sank in this area of the Oregon Coast. This area is nicknamed the Graveyard of the Pacific, since about 2,000 ships have sunk here since the late 1700s!

Stormy weather plus a sandbar where the Pacific meets the Columbia River make for treacherous sailing. The combined river and ocean currents can cause dangerous waves that rise at a moment’s notice.

Thankfully human-made jetties and dredging have made this area safer. You and your family can also safely explore the shipwreck at Ft. Stevens—just watch the tide!

Fort Stevens historic military site

Ft. Stevens was a built during the Civil War and operated until World War II. Even if military history isn’t a huge attraction for your family, there’s plenty to explore here. A museum holds military artifacts, and a walking tour will take you to see historic military artifacts like tanks, gun batteries, searchlights and more.

You can step inside some of the abandoned buildings and see how time has taken a toll on this military fort. Climb atop the fort and walk the sentry walls to dive into the past.

Level 10 travel tip: If you visit with kids, don’t miss the museum. The lovely volunteer there gave my kids a challenge, and once they answered her (easy) question, she gave them a free Ft. Stevens pin! They were overjoyed.

The Ft. Stevens historical site also includes several viewpoints of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. Bring your binoculars: You will likely see different birds, and if you’re there during whale watching season, keep an eye out for their spouts.

Level 10 travel tip: Kids who are interested in the military will love the tour that runs from inside a 1954 army truck (with wheels taller than a 4-year-old!).

Fort Stevens was actually attacked by a Japanese submarine during World War II. The military, government and even citizens worried about an attempted invasion during these years and so posted units of soldiers here for defense.

Ft. Stevens Disc Golf Course

Much to my brother’s and husband’s excitement, the Ft. Stevens disc golf course is now open! You can play the 18-hole course, called Columbia Shores Disc Golf Course, when you visit the Fort Stevens Military Site. The course includes long and short tee positions to make it fun for both beginners and more experienced DG-ers.

This disc golf course is built alongside the Columbia River, so it gets quite windy. Wear layers and be prepared for your discs to misbehave.

Still, the views from some of the tee pads are epic.

Please respect directions to not play certain holes during the winter. This area is important nesting habitat for birds, and their populations depend on having undisturbed nests. The nesting grounds give a different meaning to the phrase “birdie” for disc golf! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

You can buy discs in the military site museum/visitor center. You can also borrow them from the Ft. Stevens campground—ask park hosts or inquire at the campground visitor center. Remember to pay the $5 day use fee or use your Oregon State Parks annual pass.

Fort Stevens camping: Coffenbury Lake

Freshwater Coffenbury Lake is a short hike or bike ride away from many of the campsites at Ft. Stevens. The lake has two swimming areas as well as a boat ramp and picnic tables. (Speed limit for boats is 10 mph.)

When we were there, plenty of folks were fishing. If you do fish, please respect other campers and properly dispose of the debris when you clean the fish, and make sure you collect all fishing line and hooks for everyone’s safety.

Level 10 travel tip: A 2-mile trail winds all around the lake, making it a flat and easy hike for even little walkers.

Picnic tables surround Coffenburry Lake, especially from the southern access point. There is also a restroom with flush toilets.

Even more things to do at Fort Stevens State Park, Oregon!

Take a breath: Can you believe there are even more fun things to do at Fort Stevens State Park? I know, this Oregon Coast park is enormous!

To explore the park fully, you’ll need to drive. Bikes are not allowed past certain points, and it’s too far to walk from one point to another. Though if you’re committed, you can hike the entirety of the trails, including some that go along the sand dunes and the jetty!

Ft. Stevens Observation Tower

Drive north on the main road within Ft. Stevens to reach Lot C, on the South Jetty. There, a wooden observation tower gives you a view of the Pacific Ocean from two stories up.

The platform is big enough to accommodate several groups while maintaining safe social distance. You need to climb stairs to get to the top: The observation tower is not accessible to people in wheelchairs or with other mobility limitations.

What I love about the observation tower in Ft. Stevens State Park is that it gives you a different perspective on the Pacific Ocean. Typically, we see the sea as it breaks along a beach. Here, though, the jetty juts out into the ocean itself. Waves are big and wild. The tower provides a sense of the sea’s power, especially on a stormy day!

Columbia River estuary

One of the things that makes this part of the Oregon Coast so unique is that it’s where the ocean and the Columbia River meet. (For American history fans, the Columbia River is how the famous explorers Lewis and Clark found their way to the Pacific Ocean. They overwintered near Ft. Stevens, at Fort Clatsop in Astoria, OR.)

The Columbia River is enormous. Maxine and Edie kept calling it the ocean, and it’s an easy to make mistake! Big ships still use the river to access ports inland.

From Lot D within Ft. Stevens, you can walk a short trail to the bank of the Columbia River. But as it’s connected to the ocean, its height varies with the tide. When we visited near low tide, the water receded and left a huge, flat beach. The kids loved running around and wading into the water.

While you’re here, walk along the wooden boardwalk to the bird blind bunker. (I know, it sounds like something out of a post-apocalyptic story, but trust me!) It’s a little concrete shelter where you can watch for birds within this shorebird conservation area.

Yurt camping in Ft. Stevens: What you need to know

Now that you’re beyond excited to camp at Ft. Stevens State Park in Oregon, here are the nitty gritty details you need:

• You can reserve a yurt (or any other site) at Ft. Stevens up to 6 months in advance, and you’ll need to make reservations months ahead of time for peak season camping, especially for weekend dates.
• Yurts are $48 per night, or $58 per night for a pet-friendly yurt.
• Ft. Stevens State Park is about 20 minutes north of Seaside, and about 2 hours from Portland.
• Yurts have electricity and heat, but the only cooking facilities are your campfire! (That means no cooking inside the yurt.)
• Yurts have mattresses but no bedding. Bring your own blankets or sleeping bags.
• Please double-check all information on the Oregon State Parks website. All info here has been updated for 2022, but it may change in the future.

FAQs for Fort Stevens camping

Is there wifi at Fort Stevens?

Nope. You’ll be semi-rustic while camping at Fort Stevens State Park, so don’t expect wifi. In fact, some areas of the park might have only spotty cell service.

The Hammond, Oregon KOA across the street from the entrance to Fort Stevens State Park does have so-so wifi. There’s also a Starbucks a few miles down the road.

Are dogs allowed at Fort Stevens State Park?

Absolutely! (Our two rescue dogs, Finn and Luna, love camping and playing on the beach at Ft. Stevens!) That said, dogs must remain on-leash throughout the park.

Dog poop bags are stationed periodically throughout the park and Fort Stevens campground. Please be courteous and always pick up after your pet.

In general, the beaches on the Oregon Coast are very friendly to off-leash dogs. That said, if your dog is aggressive or can’t be trusted with voice commands, it’s best to keep them on-leash.

Can you have campfires at Fort Stevens State Park?

Yes! Campsites at Fort Stevens State Park include fire rings, which are the only areas where campfires are allowed.

The Oregon State Parks system sometimes starts a fire ban, though. During late summer, when risk for wildfires increases, don’t be surprised if you’re not allowed to burn at your Ft. Stevens campsite.

Whenever you burn a campfire, make sure to practice safety. Keep a bucket of water nearby, keep flames lower than hip-level, and always fully extinguish a fire before walking away. Safety first!

Does the Ft. Stevens campground sell firewood, ice, etc?

Yes! To encourage social distancing, wood sales are self-serve much of the year. (In peak camping season, a camp host drives through the campground selling wood from a golf card—what service!) Wood barns are located throughout the park, where you can buy bundles of wood ($6) and kindling ($3). Take what you need and leave payment in a locked box.

Ft. Stevens also has an information booth at the intersection between the north and south loops. Here, you can get brochures on things to do on the Oregon Coast as well as buy ice. Pay attention to the booth’s hours of service, though. It has shortened operation during non-peak months.

Hoo boy, that’s a lot of information about Fort Stevens camping! We’ve covered campgrounds, all the amenities at this state park, fun activities to keep you entertained, and lots of details about the Fort Stevens yurts.

When we left, we all waved goodbye to our yurt—a little sadly. But I won’t be too heartbroken; after all, we’ll go yurt camping again soon.

Have you ever gone yurt camping before, or have you been to Ft. Stevens State Park in Oregon? What did you think?

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