4 Days of Family-Friendly Adventure at Fort Stevens State Park and Astoria, OR

Looking for a fun, family-friendly camping destination in Oregon? Fort Stevens State Park in Warrenton, Oregon, checked all the boxes for us. With a mix of nature, history, and beach time, our 4-day, 3-night stay there went by so fast!

Here’s how our trip went down:

Day 1 – Camp Arrival

We arrived and set up camp at Fort Stevens State Park. The campground is huge and full of towering trees, paved trails, and a playground. They had full-hooks (electric, water, and sewer) which was a win for us living in our truck camper full-time. After a long drive, the kids made a beeline for the park inside the campground to stretch their legs and burn off some energy after a long drive.

Day 2 – Biking Fort Stevens + Exploring Astoria

We kicked off the morning with an e-bike adventure around the park. The paved trails are perfect for biking, even with kids in tow. First stop: the historic military area of Fort Stevens. We explored old concrete batteries and bunkers—super cool for little explorers. There was also a neat little visitor center run by volunteers and it had a small gift shop and a little museum to learn more about the history.

Next, we pedaled to the famous Peter Iredale shipwreck on the beach. The kids played in the sand while we soaked in the salty air and coastal views. A must-see stop!

In the afternoon, we headed into nearby Astoria for errands (Home Depot and Costco—we’re still a traveling family after all 😄). Stocking up on snacks is always top priority when you’ve got kids on board.

For dinner, we treated ourselves to Fort George Brewery in downtown Astoria. Highly recommend! The kids devoured their fish and chips, I had the fried oysters and chips (so good), and my husband had a cheeseburger. Their tap list is also solid if you’re into craft beer.

Day 3 – Fort Stevens State Park

We needed a day to “rest” so we stayed in the park on this day but it still filled up our schedule. In the morning, we went back to Peter Iredale Beach but drove on the sandy beach with our SUV—a unique experience you don’t get many places! The kids thought it was the coolest thing ever.

Later, we stopped at the South Jetty Observation Tower, and even checked out the wildlife viewing bunker. We didn’t spot any birds (it was super windy), but it’s still a neat little adventure for curious kiddos.

That afternoon, we went back to Peter Iredale Beach again—this time by e-bike. It’s one of our favorite spots in the park and felt even better the third time around.

Day 4 – Lewis & Clark History + The Best Fish & Chips

We packed up camp and made one final stop before heading out: Lewis and Clark National Historical Park at Fort Clatsop. The National Park Service runs a beautiful visitor center with engaging exhibits and a replica of the winter camp used by Lewis and Clark. It’s educational, hands-on, and fun for kids and adults alike. Our kids also completed the National Park Junior Ranger activity book here to become junior rangers and received free badges and patches!

Before we got there, we grabbed lunch at Ship Out Fish & Chips—and wow, it might be the best fish and chips we’ve ever had. We shared a huge combo platter with calamari, shrimp, cod, halibut, and oysters—all sourced from the local area. Bonus: they have a fun indoor “greenhouse” to dine in and local art for sale inside.

Final Thoughts

Fort Stevens is such a gem for families and it is close to Astoria and Fort Clatsop so you will never run out of activities. With a mix of beach, bike trails, history, and access to Astoria, it’s an awesome destination for a 3–4 days stay. The campground is spacious and kid-friendly, and there’s something for everyone—from beach days and wildlife watching to history and great food.

We already can’t wait to go back.