Coffenbury Lake is a fifty-acre freshwater lake, located 10 miles west of Astoria in Fort Stevens State Park. This is a typical coastal lake formed decades ago between dunes by receiving its water from rain, snow, and irrigation. The 1-mile long lake does not have any inlets or outlets.
Fort Stevens is a part of Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. Previously, the site served as the military defense fort at the mouth of the Columbia River. Today, 4,300-acre Fort Stevens State Park features the military defense installation with the old artillery bunkers and weapons exhibits, the freshwater swimmable and fishable lake, the largest in Oregon campground, picnic areas, a broad beach, the skeleton of the Peter Iredale shipwreck, and well-maintained trails through the beautiful coastal forest with alder, spruce, shore pines, Scotch broom, and sword ferns.
Hiking
There are nine miles of paved bicycle trails and six miles of hiking trails in Fort Stevens State Park. The trail around Coffenbury Lake is easy and refreshing.
Coffenbury Lake Trail
Easy | 2.4 miles (3.9 km) loop | 0 feet elevation gain
The 2.4-mile loop trail around Coffenbury Lake offers an easy hike with no elevation gain. The trailhead is located at the Coffenbury Lake's picnic area A. If you cross the lake beach, on the right, you will find the trail. After 1.2 miles, turn left on an old road for 150 yards, and keep left again. You, also, can start your hike from the picnic area at the northern lake's edge.
Battery Russell Trail
Easy to Moderate | 5 miles (8 km) loop | 100 feet elevation gain
The 5-mile loop trail from Battery Russell, moderate difficulty level with 100 feet elevation gain. Drive to a parking area at Battery Russell, climb a staircase and go to the opposite end of the concrete bunker structure where you will find a wide sandy trail to Coffenbury Lake. Keep right at all junctions. Hike to a paved bike path, walk right through a tunnel and turn left to the picnic area of Coffenbury Lake. Follow the 2.4-mile loop trail, mentioned above. After the short loop is done, hike back to Battery Russell.
