Coffenbury Lake is a typical 56-acre freshwater lake trapped between sandy dunes decades ago. The lake is nestled in Fort Stevens State Park, 10 miles west of Astoria. No streams are flowing in or out. Its water level fluctuates depending on seasonal changes in the water table. The 1-mile-long lake gets its water from rain, snow, and irrigation.

The lake is situated at the mouth of the Columbia River and was named after George Washington Coffenberry, the first settler from West Virginia and a four-term county judge in Clatsop County before Oregon's Territorial Court was established in 1849.

Surrounded by a dense coastal forest, the lake is home to a variety of wildlife. You may spot squirrels, martens, otters, minks, skunks, beavers, and many bird species. You might even see elk or deer coming to drink from the lake.

In summer, with warm water, the lake is a great spot for fishing and supports warm-water species such as largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, brown bullhead, and yellow perch. It is also stocked with hatchery steelhead and rainbow trout.

The lake is perfect for swimming, boating, canoeing, and paddling. Motorized boats are allowed, but with a 10 mph speed limit (gas-powered boats are not permitted). The area has fishing docks, boat ramps, sandy beaches, and picnic spots.

Things to Do near Coffenbury Lake

Fort Stevens is a part of Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. Previously, the site served as a military fortification 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 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.

Fort Stevens Hiking Trails

With over 6 miles of hiking trails and 9 miles of biking trails, Fort Stevens State Park is perfect for outdoor exploration. The paths wind through coastal forests, across sandy dunes, and past old military structures.

Delaura Dune Trail - a 4 miles hiking trail along the coast.

Kestrel Dune Trail - a 1.3-mile biking trail along the coast to Peter Iredale Shipwreck.

Coffenbury Lake Trail - a 2-mile long easy loop hiking trail around Coffenbury Lake.

Battery Russell Trail - a 1-mile trail along the dune's ridge from Battery Russell to the north end of Coffenbury Lake.

Fishing

Coffenbury Lake provides great opportunities for fishing. There are fishing docks and boat ramps. Motorized boats with a speed less than 10 mph are allowed. For the sake of lake conservation, gas-powered boats are not permitted on the lake.

Warmwater Species. Formed between dunes, Coffenbury Lake with warm water temperatures in summer allows warm-water fish to reproduce successfully. There are largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, brown bullhead, and yellow perch. The best time for fishing is the warmer months of spring, summer, and fall.

Trout & Steelhead. Coffenbury Lake is regularly stocked on the regular basis with the legal, larger and trophy sizes rainbow trout. The lake also receives adult hatchery steelhead in the winter months. The best time for fishing is from March to September.

Fort Stevens State Park has a big campground with 476 sites. This includes 170 full-hookup sites, over 300 sites with electricity and water, six tent sites near the water, 15 yurts, and 11 deluxe cabins.

There is also a special area just for hikers and bicyclists. Every site has a picnic table and a fire grill. You can make reservations up to six months ahead by calling 800-452-5687 or visiting oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com.

If you don’t want to camp, the nearby towns of Warrenton and Astoria have plenty of comfortable places to stay.

Lodging in Warenton

Lodging in Astoria

Open: Year-round from dawn until dusk (for day-use)
Managed by: Oregon State Parks

Amenities: Flush toilets, drinking water, garbage service, fishing docks, boat ramps, picnic sites, and a reservable picnic shelter
Activities: Swimming, watersports, hiking, biking, fishing, boating, horse riding, historic site with a museum, scenic viewpoints of the Pacific Ocean and Peter Iredale shipwreck

Distance from the parking: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: Yes or parking permits for State Parks
Dogs: Must be on a leash

Coffenbury Lake is located: