Warrenton OregonATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Warrenton, Oregon.
1. Peter Iredale Ship Wreck
HISTORIC NAUTICAL RELIC
The Peter Iredale Ship Wreck is the remains of a vessel that ran ashore in 1906 and has become one of Warrenton's most visited attractions. The eerie skeletal structure of the ship is visible on the beach within Fort Stevens State Park. Visitors often use this historic maritime relic as a backdrop for photography, capturing the hauntingly beautiful remnants of this early 20th-century shipwreck.
2. Battery Russell
MILITARY HISTORY SITE
Battery Russell is a historic military site located within Fort Stevens State Park that once served as a defense installation from the Civil War through World War II. The fortification offers visitors a glimpse into America's coastal defense history with its concrete bunkers and gun emplacements. Exploring Battery Russell provides an educational experience about the strategic importance of the Columbia River mouth during wartime.
3. Cullaby Lake
TRANQUIL LAKESIDE RETREAT
Cullaby Lake is a serene freshwater lake surrounded by lush greenery that offers visitors a peaceful natural setting. The lake provides opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and picnicking in a tranquil environment. Visitors can enjoy the walking trails around the lake while taking in the diverse wildlife and plant species native to this coastal ecosystem.
4. Sunset Beach State Recreation Site
SCENIC COASTAL ACCESS
Sunset Beach State Recreation Site offers expansive sandy beaches where visitors can experience the raw beauty of the Oregon Coast. The recreation area provides direct beach access for activities like beachcombing, kite flying, and watching spectacular Pacific sunsets. This stretch of coastline is also historically significant as part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail where the famous expedition reached the Pacific Ocean.
5. Light House Park
MARITIME HERITAGE SPOTLIGHT
Light House Park features a lighthouse attached to a white home that serves as the Lighthouse Park Interpretive Center. The park includes additional attractions such as a gazebo and a large historic bell surrounded by trees. Visitors have described this maritime heritage site as a worthwhile stop that offers a glimpse into the region's nautical history.
6. Clatsop Plains Pioneer Cemetery
HISTORIC BURIAL GROUNDS
Clatsop Plains Pioneer Cemetery contains burial plots dating back to the mid-1800s with graves of prominent regional figures including members of the Gearhart and Warren families. Located alongside Highway 101 near Camp Rilea, this historic cemetery offers visitors a chance to connect with early Clatsop County history. Walking through the cemetery provides insight into the lives of early pioneers who settled this coastal region of Oregon.
7. Pioneer Presbyterian Church
OLDEST PRESBYTERIAN WEST
Pioneer Presbyterian Church is billed as the oldest Presbyterian church in the western United States, sitting alongside the Clatsop Plains Pioneer Cemetery. The historic church building represents an important piece of religious heritage in the Pacific Northwest. Visitors interested in architectural history and early American settlement will find this well-preserved church structure particularly noteworthy.
8. Fort Stevens State Park
MILITARY HISTORY MEETS NATURE
Fort Stevens State Park is an expansive recreational area that combines military history with natural beauty at the mouth of the Columbia River. The park offers diverse activities including hiking, biking, birdwatching, and beachcombing across its varied terrain. Once a military defense installation that served from the Civil War through World War II, the park now preserves this historical significance while providing spectacular sandy beaches and premier camping opportunities.
9. Coffenbury Lake
FRESHWATER RECREATION DESTINATION
Coffenbury Lake is a freshwater lake located within Fort Stevens State Park that offers a variety of recreational opportunities. The lake is popular for fishing, kayaking, and picnicking in a serene natural setting. Surrounded by lush greenery, this tranquil body of water provides a peaceful contrast to the nearby ocean beaches.
10. Hammond Marina
BOATING AND FISHING HUB
Hammond Marina provides boating and fishing enthusiasts with access to the Columbia River and essential amenities such as boat launches and a marina store. The marina gained fame as a filming location for the classic movie scene in 'Free Willy' where the orca jumps to freedom over the breakwater. Visitors can enjoy recreational activities on the water while taking in the views of the mighty Columbia as it meets the Pacific Ocean.
11. Astoria Column
PANORAMIC COASTAL VIEWS
The Astoria Column stands 125 feet tall and offers visitors who climb to the top a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the city, Columbia River, and Pacific Ocean beyond. This historic monument is decorated with a spiral frieze depicting significant events in Oregon's early history. Considered a must-visit landmark on the Northern Oregon Coast, the column provides spectacular views of the ocean, river, and coastal mountain range.
12. Columbia River Maritime Museum
REGIONAL NAUTICAL HISTORY
The Columbia River Maritime Museum showcases the rich maritime heritage of the Columbia River and the Pacific Northwest. Exhibits highlight the dangerous conditions of the Columbia River Bar, known as the 'Graveyard of the Pacific,' and the vessels and people who navigated these treacherous waters. The museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts, interactive displays, and historic vessels that tell the story of this important waterway.
13. Fort Clatsop
LEWIS AND CLARK HISTORY
Fort Clatsop is a reconstruction of the winter encampment used by the Lewis and Clark Expedition at the conclusion of their journey to the Pacific in 1805-1806. The fort is part of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park and serves as an educational center about this famous exploration. Visitors can experience living history demonstrations, explore the fort's replica buildings, and learn about the expedition's interactions with local Native American tribes.
14. Astoria Riverfront Trolley
HISTORIC WATERFRONT TRANSPORTATION
The Astoria Riverfront Trolley is a historic streetcar that runs along the Columbia River waterfront, offering a nostalgic way to view the city's attractions. The trolley operates on former railroad tracks and provides narration about Astoria's history and landmarks during the journey. Passengers can hop on and off at various points to explore restaurants, shops, and museums along the scenic riverfront.
15. Captain George Flavel House Museum
VICTORIAN MARITIME MANSION
The Captain George Flavel House Museum is a magnificent Queen Anne style Victorian mansion built in 1885 by Captain George Flavel, a wealthy Columbia River bar pilot and businessman. The elegantly preserved home features original furnishings, ornate woodwork, and period decor that showcase the opulence of Astoria's maritime elite. Visitors can tour the mansion and carriage house to experience the lifestyle of one of Astoria's most prominent historical families while learning about the region's maritime prosperity.