Fort Clatsop, Oregon — History & Visitor Guide

Fort Clatsop (Clatsop County, near Astoria, Oregon)

Clatsop County, near Astoria · Oregon · Lewis and Clark Expedition

Quick BriefFort Clatsop was the winter encampment of the Lewis and Clark Expedition near the mouth of the Columbia River from December 1805 to March 1806, located along the Lewis and Clark River approximately 5 miles southwest of Astoria. The fort was the first American military structure built west of the Rocky Mountains. The site is now protected as part of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, formerly Fort Clatsop National Memorial until 2004.

Coastal defenseOpen to visitors

History & Significance

Built as winter quarters for the Corps of Discovery in 1805 near present-day Astoria, Fort Clatsop hosted an expedition sent by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the Missouri and Columbia rivers in search of an inland waterway to the Pacific Ocean. On December 7, 1805, the Corps of Discovery arrived at the site, with Clark leading a salt-making party to the Pacific while Lewis split the remaining men into hunting and construction teams.

The fort measured fifty feet square with parallel cabins—one containing three rooms for enlisted men and the other housing the captains' quarters, a family room for Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau, an orderly room, and a storeroom. During 106 days at Fort Clatsop, only twelve days were without rain and only six with sunshine, leaving the men plagued by fleas, illness, and constant dampness.

The captains recorded critical scientific, cartographic, and ethnographic information in their journals during the three-month stay. Their general discomfort and the movement of elk herds persuaded the expedition to depart on March 23, 1806, rather than waiting until April 1, leaving their quarters to Clatsop Chief Coboway.

After 1806, the wooden fort deteriorated and vanished; archaeological excavations in 1948 verified the site, and a reconstruction based on Clark's sketch was completed in 1955. A fire destroyed the 1955 replica in October 2005, which was rebuilt in 2006.

Key Facts

StateOregon

LocationClatsop County, near Astoria

Established1805

Decommissioned1806

War / eraLewis and Clark Expedition

Current statusMuseum / Historic Site

Coordinates46.13361111, -123.8802778

NRHP reference66000640

Map

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🧳 Visiting

What you’ll see when you visit:

Reconstructed wooden fort where Lewis and Clark wintered in 1805-1806
Exhibits documenting the expedition's Pacific Northwest exploration
Original site near the mouth of the Columbia River
Ranger-led tours and period demonstrations
Access to Lewis and Clark National Historical Park grounds

Best time to visitSpring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer mild weather; summers are warm and dry, while winters are cool and wet along the Oregon coast.

Getting thereAstoria Regional Airport (AST) is 2.7 km away; the fort is located in Clatsop County near Astoria, Oregon.

From the nearest major airportPortland International Airport (PDX)🚗 103 mi by road⏱️ ≈ 2 hr 27 min drive

Fort Clatsop (Clatsop County, near Astoria, Oregon)

History & Significance

Key Facts

Map

🧳 Visiting

Sources

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