A spacious, wooded park holding a community hall, trails, a grass area, a small play structure, and…read morepicnic shelters. Astoria Parks dept will reserve space for picnics in the shelters at the top or even weddings. Since we live a short distance away we have a lovely trail that runs up to the park. If you're coming from the shelter or pavement look for a well used trail running downhill. If you go about .2mi down this you'll find the power line grassy knoll with lovely views of the river and the high school football field. Walking around you'll realize this park was something substantial, with concrete stairways having crumbled and taken over by large trees. A fascinating history can be found here: https://www.discoverourcoast.com/coast-weekend/coastal-life/the-faded-glory-of-shively-park-once-home-to-an-impressive-12-acre-centennial-park/article_a103216c-c757-57b1-bce8-bda85aa7bee4.html Anyway, this is generally a quiet little park, joggers and dog walkers frequent it. The top knoll looks like a lovely place to stage an inexpensive wedding. Maybe i'll see you there :)

Pretty neat spot. The forest is so beautiful. At first I wasn't going to go on the trail because I…read moreget nervous about hiking alone but I met a woman who was going the same way so that made me feel more comfortable about doing it alone and then I went a few mins later. It was a beautiful trail. It felt like I was in a magical forest. Short hike with a beautiful view of the river. So glad I did it.

Fort Clatsop was one of the most memorable historical sites we visited on our Oregon Coast road…read moretrip. Even if you're not a huge history buff, this place does an incredible job of bringing the Lewis and Clark Expedition to life. Walking through the reconstructed fort made it easy to imagine what life was like for the Corps of Discovery as they spent the winter of 1805-1806 preparing for the long journey home. The visitor center is well done, with informative exhibits, friendly park rangers, and plenty of historical information that adds context before you explore the fort. The reconstruction itself is impressive, and the surrounding forest helps create an authentic atmosphere. It's amazing to think that after traveling more than 4,000 miles, Lewis and Clark and their team called this place home for 106 days. The walking trails around the fort are peaceful and beautifully maintained, making it easy to spend a couple of hours exploring the area. We appreciated how clean the park was and how passionate the staff were about sharing the site's history. Whether you're interested in American history, the Oregon Coast, or simply looking for a unique stop near Astoria, Fort Clatsop is well worth visiting. It's educational without feeling overwhelming, family-friendly, and offers a deeper appreciation for one of the greatest expeditions in American history. I would absolutely recommend adding it to your itinerary. Check out our video on our socials @reessroots

Fort Clatsop is part of this area. The museum and movies were excellent. I did not realize how…read morelittle I really knew about the Lewis and Clark expedition until I saw all the history in the exhibits. If you have your National Park pass make sure to take it for free admission.

A 4-mile paved trail that parallels the city's main thoroughfare and the trolley route…read more I did not actually see any signs for the Astoria Riverwalk but I guess I was going along it without knowing. From where we started at Pier 39 to almost the very end at the Port of Astoria, we continually stopped along the way whenever I would notice a spot park or pull over to be able to take beautiful pictures of the landscape and waterfront. I absolutely loved that there were wildlife either Sea Lions or Harbor Seals are laying around any kind of dock or floating device that they could and that you could hear them loud and clear. I didn't take my large camera with exchangeable lenses so I couldn't zoom in too much but seeing and hearing them made my heart happy. The views are just beautiful and worth the extra time to stop.

August 1, 2025 - Astoria…read more We walked the boardwalk along the river today. There are a few businesses scattered along the way, but the area is still mostly lined with industrial buildings. There are plenty of spots to pause and take in the view of the Columbia, and many trolley stops along the route. I would've liked to hop on the trolley, but we had our dog with us. We walked to where Buoy Beer Company once stood before the building collapsed. It's still there--fenced off, of course. What a shame. The Buoy warehouses remain, though. We had lunch at Astoria Brewery, where they have an outdoor patio--perfect for sitting with our pup. Afterward, we walked over to the Maritime Museum (admission is $18), but didn't go in since we had the pup with us. We checked out the Nordic Heritage Park, which highlights Astoria's huge Scandinavian influence in the late 1800s and early 1900s. We also went to the Garden of Surging Waves which gives tribute to contributions of the Chinese to Astoria.

What a wonderful under the radar waterfall this is...Beaver Falls!…read more Located 6 miles east of Clatskanie, Oregon, this area near the Columbia River is beautiful. Let's get straight to the heart of what Beaver Falls is all about... If you plug "Beaver Falls Trailhead" into Google Maps, you'll have no problem finding it. Then just park along the side of Highway 30 and hike 1/3rd of a mile through the forest to the base of the falls. It's that easy. When I visited on a Thursday in early afternoon of July, there was hardly anyone around which was good for taking quality photos. Best of all, you can swim in the waters. So definitely bring a bathing suit, towel and a pair of water shoes so the rocks won't hurt your feet while entering the pool beneath Beaver Falls. The water is cold but once you jump in and get comfortable, it's a terrific setting. There's also a long rope where you can swing across and splash down below. It's great for kids (and adults too, lol) to have playful times. For me, I was content soaking in the pool and appreciating the surroundings. More info... - It's free to visit. - Cell phone reception works fine. - You can walk underneath the falls! This is a Must-Do. You can capture some amazing moments standing beside Beaver Falls. It's not hard or dangerous and offers a unique perspective. - Beaver Falls is just one of many outstanding waterfalls situated around Oregon and especially near the Columbia River. There's also Lower Lewis River Falls, Panther Creek Falls and Spirit Falls, to name a few. - You can spend a few hours hanging out or as little as 30 - 40 minutes. It depends on your time horizon. But overall, it's really pleasant to be here that I'd suggest bringing snacks, lunch and maybe having a picnic. This Beaver Falls is absolutely so much fun to hang out at. When you can swim in the waters, swing from a rope and even walk underneath the falls, It makes for a worthwhile summer visit.

Awesome trail through a beautiful, lush forest. I felt like I was in an enchanted forest! Views…read moreto the ocean are gorgeous. Wear hiking shoes, not sneakers. Slippery due to moisture in many locations. Worth hiking!

This is a hike that's a must do in my books. Pack some snacks because the way back can take a…read morelittle longer than you expect. I would plan to leave about 5 hours for this hike so you have enough time to make it out and back without too much of a rush. It looks like an enchanted forest!! The nature is unreal!

This is an incredible stop. The view is breathtaking…read more One warning: the building is pitch black. The images I took were with three people's flashlights on. I walked in first ( in flip flops) and was submerged nearly to my ankle in shrek sludge! That water is deeper than it looks.

It was unfortunately raining pretty hard when we visited, so we were only able to briefly explore…read morethe batteries. Anyways, Fort Columbia State Park is considered one of the most intact historic coastal defense sites in the U.S, and it's built like a tank. Many of the structures are still intact. I'll have to come back as we visited during the off season, and so The Interpretive Center was closed as was were the other buildings. There are also two vacation houses for rent on park property, so if you're a history buff, definitely check it out and stay a night!

3.9 mi, 1050 ft elevation gain, 1hr 22 minutes…read more Plenty of shaded parking was available. There is a porta potty and a trash can at the main trailhead. Lots of out of state folks here doing this hike- I'm sure it would be quite packed on a weekend. The trail itself was a bit overgrown and narrow in parts. Beware of game trails, I missed a turn and found myself a ways down a game trail before turning around. The view at the top is amazing, definitely don't just view from the lower trail. If you're able- climb up the rock face to see the view from the peak. It's so worth it!

A short but challenging hike, especially the last 100 feet. But the view from the top is…read morespectacular!

Saddle Mountain Five Stars for the Adventure…read more Five stars for Saddle Mountain! If you're leaving Portland and heading toward Seaside on Highway 26, just before you get there, you'll turn off onto a nice little curvy road that takes you toward the trailhead. And right from the parking lot, Saddle Mountain starts messing with your mind. You look up and see this little mountain that seems pretty close. You can see one bump, but the actual big bump the saddle part of the mountain is hiding behind the trees. It's almost ominous. You think, Oh, that's not too bad. Then you start hiking and realize the mountain has other plans. The trail zigzags along the side of the mountain, taking you way farther than it looks from the parking lot. By the time you even make it to that first rocky section, you've already put in some serious work. Then you reach the saddle and that part is no joke. You've climbed all that way only to go back down this sketchy little track along the edge, between rocks that seem to hang over an abyss. Mentally, it throws you for a loop. There are sections where the trail feels like a cliffhanger almost like you're walking on a two-foot-wide path with nowhere to go if you lose your footing. Some people may say it's an easy hike, but I think a lot of Saddle Mountain is mental. Knowing how high you are, dealing with loose gravel, steep sections, and those little metal railings definitely adds a fear factor. I've slipped before and usually don't think much of it, but up there, it only takes one slip where you don't catch yourself. You're not walking around thinking you're imminently going to die, but you definitely realize this mountain deserves respect. And then comes the payoff. Once you cross the saddle, the second part is basically straight uphill. You can't always tell how steep it is going up, but coming back down? Your body knows. You're sliding, your feet are working, and your body feels like it wants to take you for a roll downhill. But man, is it beautiful. From the top, you get these sweeping, commanding views in every direction. You can see Seaside, Gearhart, Fort Stevens, Warrenton, and across the Columbia Bar. You can pick out Astoria and the iconic Astoria-Megler Bridge stretching toward Longview, along with Tongue Point. Then you start panning to the right and there's Big Daddy, Mount Rainier, standing out in the distance. Keep looking and the Cascades start popping up: Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and more. As you're getting ready to leave, Mount Hood is lurking way off in the distance, with Mount Jefferson just below it. Looking back across the valleys, ridges, clouds, and all the surrounding mountains, it's an incredibly unique perspective. I highly recommend doing Saddle Mountain on a clear day. The views are absolutely worth it. What a workout. Every inch of pain and suffering was well worth it. I even managed a little trip and fall on the way down. Didn't really get hurt just shook my ego a little bit! I couldn't have asked for a better day. And to finish it off, I headed back to the parking lot and enjoyed a Buffalo Mac, some hot cocoa, and a caramel macchiato coffee sitting next to the cooler while sitting outside in some chairs. What a beautiful day. Five stars. Sweeping views. Serious workout. A little adventure, a little fear, and a whole lot of reward. Saddle Mountain definitely deserves the respect and the trip.

GORGEOUS! I must…read morekindly admit, this has got to be one of my favorite hike in Oregon. We went for a little weekend gettaway to hike Saddle Mountain, started the hike at about 9:00am and was finished at about 11:30am. It is one of those hike that is not too easy, and not too hard... just the right amount of panting to call it a work out, and not too easy where you're craving for more! The hardest part of the hike would probably be the last segment of it as you're entering the viewpoint, it is all incline but you HAVE to get to the top... totally worth it.

Amazing views! The drive into Ecola was just beautiful, dense forest all around. Currently love in…read morethe desert, so all the green was a treat. We only did the Ecola Point viewpoint which has some short trails from the parking lot. You can see the lighthouse a little bit from some of the views, but probably not as well as grub the lighthouse view trail. Still amazing views tho down into Cannon Beach, haystack rock, etc. If you're going to visit a lot of state parks, I recommend getting the state park pass. Worth the price!

Home is where the heart is. This area was my stomping…read more grounds for many moons! I use to go to Ecola state park, regularly growing up. Go on hikes,look for rocks shells,surf, get lost in nature, just sit in the grass and watch the ocean. Here is what you can do at Ecola State Park: Hiking & Walking: Explore trails ranging from easy strolls to challenging hikes through Sitka spruce forests. The Clatsop Loop Trail follows the path of1806 explorers, while the Oregon Coast Trail offers longer, scenic treks. Indian Beach: A popular, secluded cove for surfing, sunbathing, and tide-pooling to see sea stars and anemones. Viewpoints: Take in spectacular vistas from Ecola Point, including views of the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse ("Terrible Tilly") and distant Haystack Rock. Wildlife Viewing: The park is known for herds of elk grazing in the meadows, as well as sightings of bald eagles and migrating gray whales. Picnicking: Enjoy lunch at the picnic areas located on the grassy bluffs with ocean views. Photography: The dramatic, moody coastline provides excellent opportunities for photography. Oregon State