Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is located in Vancouver, Washington, just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon.


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Summary

The site commemorates the important role that Fort Vancouver played in the history of the Pacific Northwest during the 19th century.

Some good reasons to visit the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site include experiencing the history of the Pacific Northwest, learning about the role of the fur trade in the region, and exploring the beautiful natural surroundings of the site.

Specific points of interest at the site include the recreated fort buildings, the Pearson Air Museum, and the McLoughlin House, which was the home of Dr. John McLoughlin, the chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company in the region.

Interesting facts about the area include that Fort Vancouver was originally established by the British Hudson's Bay Company in 1824 as a fur trading post and became a center of commerce and culture in the region. In 1846, the fort was transferred to the United States following the Oregon Treaty, and it continued to serve as an important military and trading post in the Pacific Northwest until the late 1800s.

The best time of year to visit Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is during the spring and summer months when the weather is mild and the site is open for visitors. The site is closed during the winter months and has limited hours of operation during the fall and spring.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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