Fort Clatsop National Memorial

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Fort Clatsop National Memorial is a historical site located in the state of Oregon, not Washington.


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Summary

The park commemorates the winter quarters of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, who explored the Pacific Northwest in the early 19th century.

Visitors come to the park to learn about the history of the expedition and the challenges they faced while living in the fort during the winter months. The park offers ranger-led tours, exhibits, and a replica of the original fort that visitors can explore.

Some of the specific points of interest within the park include the Fort Clatsop Visitor Center, the replica of Fort Clatsop, the Netul Landing, and the Salt Works.

Interesting facts about the area include that it was home to the Clatsop people before the arrival of European explorers, and that the winter of 1805-1806 was one of the wettest on record, making life in the fort difficult for the expedition.

The best time of year to visit Fort Clatsop National Memorial is during the summer months, from June to August, when the weather is mild and there are more ranger-led activities available.

       

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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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