Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is a national historic site run by the National Park Service in Oregon and Washington.

In the park service’s words

Located on the north bank of the Columbia River, in sight of snowy mountain peaks and a vibrant urban landscape, this park has a rich cultural past. From a frontier fur trading post, to a powerful military legacy, the magic of flight, and the origin of the American Pacific Northwest, history is shared at four unique sites. Discover stories of transition, settlement, conflict, and community.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• At-Home Archaeology and Museum Activities for Kids: Learn about archaeology and museums at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site with these fun activities for kids!
• Birdwatching at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site: In the midst of urban Vancouver, Washington, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, with its open green spaces and trees, is a great place to watch birds!
• Women of the McLoughlin House (Self-Guided Outside Tour) (15 to 30 Minutes): This short, self-guided walking tour of the McLoughlin House Unit of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, located in Oregon City, Oregon, takes you to four different landmarks and offers an overview of the women who lived in these homes and worked to preserve them.
• Level 1 Trails at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (0 to 40 Minutes): Learn about Level 1 walking trails at Fort Vancouver. Level 1 trails are wheelchair-accessible and can be walked in 15 minutes with minimal elevation change.
• Level 2 Trails at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (25 to 30 Minutes): Learn about Level 2 walking trails at Fort Vancouver. Level 2 trails are wheelchair-accessible and can be walked in under 30 minutes with an elevation change of less than 20 feet.
• Level 3 Trails at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (15 to 90 Minutes): Learn about Level 3 walking trails at Fort Vancouver. Level 3 trails and routes can be walked in 90 minutes with an elevation change of up to 50 feet.
• Bring Your Dog to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (15 to 90 Minutes): Fort Vancouver National Historic Site offers several trails for dog walking, and a summer Bark Ranger program designed for visitors and their dogs.
• The Park Prescription Program at Fort Vancouver (15 to 90 Minutes): Discover history and improve your health by walking Fort Vancouver National Historic Site's many trails!

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $10 per person. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Mon Closed; Tue 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Wed 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun Closed. Standard operating hours for Vancouver, Washington facilities are Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Getting there

From I-5, take the Mill Plain Boulevard exit (Exit 1-C) and head east. Turn south onto Fort Vancouver Way. At the traffic circle, go east on Evergreen Boulevard and follow signs to the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center. From I-205, go west on Highway 14 about six miles, then take I-5 north. From I-5, take the Mill Plain Boulevard exit (Exit 1-C) and head east. At the traffic circle, go east on Evergreen Boulevard and follow signs to the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Fort Vancouver Visitor Center: Mon Closed; Tue 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Wed 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun Closed. The Fort Vancouver Visitor Center operates Tuesday through Saturday, in correlation with all other Vancouver, Washington facilities. Standard Hours = 9AM to 4PM

Weather

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is located in a mild, temperate climate. However, in the case of severe weather, park alerts posted on the park's website will provide information about emergency closures.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Mount Rainier, about 95 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.