All about Visiting the Astoria Column

One of Oregon’s best viewpoints is in the town of Astoria near the Oregon Coast. From the top of Coxcomb Hill, the Astoria Column and its surrounding park provide 360-degree views of Oregon’s northwestern corner from over 500 feet in elevation. To get even more height and a decent thigh workout, you can climb to the top of the Column and admire the scenery from its observation deck. Here is everything you need to know about visiting the Astoria Column.

About the Astoria Column

The Astoria Column is a 125-foot concrete tower on top of Coxcomb Hill. Within the Column, you can climb up a 164-step spiral staircase to reach an open-air observation deck at the top. The views from the top of the Column are unforgettable and showcase the beauty of the coastal Pacific Northwest.

To the north, look for the town of Astoria, the Astoria-Megler Bridge, the Columbia River, and Washington state.
To the east, Mt. Saint Helens is visible on a clear day.
To the south, look for Saddle Mountain.
To the west, you’ll see the Youngs River, the northwest tip of Oregon, and a sliver of the Pacific Ocean.

Astoria Column detail — *Astoria Column artwork detail*

The original vision for the Astoria Column began in the late 1800s with the idea of creating a monument near the Oregon Coast that would rival Paris’s Eiffel Tower. It was years before the project found funding and got off the ground, and the details changed as plans progressed.

The Astoria Column was finally built in 1926 as an observatory that commemorates the history of the Pacific Northwest as it was seen by the people of the early 20th century. Italian artist Attilio Pusterla designed the artwork that covers the Column. The striking images were created in the sgraffito style (from the Italian “to scratch”), which involves skillfully coloring and engraving layers of plaster.

Canoe memorial sculpture at Astoria Column — *Memorial honoring the Chinook*

The artwork of the Astoria Column depicts the arrival of Captain Robert Gray at the Columbia River, the Oregon Trail, and the creation of the railway to Astoria. From the information provided by the Friends of the Astoria Column, it’s clear that decorating the Column was a massive undertaking. Workmen completed the Column’s artwork using a mobile scaffold and sometimes even dangled from ropes attached to the Column’s observation deck.

In 1961, the park on Coxcomb Hill added a memorial to the Chinook tribe. Look for the large concrete sculpture of a ceremonial canoe on the west side of the park. The sculpture honors Chinook Chief Comcomly, who is remembered for his skills as a diplomat and navigator.

Cost and parking

There is a fee to visit the Astoria Column if you use the parking lot. It is $5/vehicle to enter and the parking pass is good for the year. There is a ticket booth at the parking lot entrance where you can purchase admission with cash or a credit card.

The parking lot is right next to the Astoria Column. It can get crowded on nice weekend days, particularly in summer. Consider coming early on busy days or parking toward the bottom of the hill and walking up.

There is no fee to visit the Astoria Column if you come on foot. See below for details on how to hike there.

Know before you go

Leashed dogs are welcome in the park around the Astoria Column. They are not allowed inside the Column.
The park around the Astoria Column has sidewalks with a minimal grade and most areas are wheelchair accessible, including the gift shop. The main exception is the Column’s observation deck. The only way to reach it is by climbing a tall spiral staircase. The views are still excellent from the park.
Look for a restroom building near the ticket booth at the park entrance.
There are a couple of picnic tables, chairs, and benches near the Astoria Column. Go ahead and take your time enjoying the views.
It can get very windy at Astoria Column, especially if you climb to the top. Bring layers.
You may see people launching pinewood gliders from the top of the Column to the park below. You can buy gliders from the gift shop if you want to try it out.

*View of Mt. Saint Helens from the Astoria Column*

When to visit

The Astoria Column is fun to visit year-round although the views will be best on a clear day. Even if the weather is less than ideal, clouds and fog can create some moody and interesting landscapes.

Visit after dark to see colorful lights illuminating the Astoria Column. Also, look for holiday lights extending from the top of the column toward the end of the year.

The park is open daily from 5 AM - 10 PM and the Astoria Column is open from dawn until dusk. Gift shop hours vary, but daytime hours are usually a safe bet.

*Saddle Mountain seen from the Astoria Column*

Geology of Astoria

The town of Astoria, including the Astoria Column, sits on a foundation of basalt that is thought to be part of the Columbia River Basalt Group. Like other Columbia River Basalts in Oregon, this rock formed when lava from fissures in northeastern Oregon and southwest Washington traveled an incredible distance to reach the Pacific Coast.

From the 500-foot vantage point at Coxcomb Hill, look for the basalt peak of Saddle Mountain, the highest point in the Coastal Range.

Across the Youngs River, there is a much different geologic story. The land around Warrenton, Oregon, extending to the Pacific Ocean is mostly flat and made of sedimentary deposits from the Columbia River.

Hiking the Cathedral Tree Trail to the Astoria Column

Distance: 3 miles out and back

Elevation gain: 500 feet

Difficulty: Easy with some steep uphill sections

Dog-friendly: Yes, leashed dogs welcome on the trail

Pass required: None, parking is free if you begin at the bottom of the hill

My favorite way to hike the Cathedral Tree Trail is to start at the bottom and hike up to the Astoria Column on Coxcomb Hill. There is a natural resting point once you make it up the hill with incredible views. Plus, the way back will be downhill.

Begin at the Richard Fenscak Cathedral Tree Trail Trailhead on Irving Ave in Astoria. The trail climbs up Coxcomb Hill through a forest of Sitka spruce, cedars, and Western hemlock. Watch for signs at trail junctions as you go. There are several intersecting trails in the area and you’ll want to stay on the Cathedral Tree Trail to reach the Astoria Column.

On your way, look for the Cathedral tree, a massive 300-year-old Sitka spruce. This ancient tree survived the damage caused by an unusually strong windstorm in 2007. Continue uphill on the dirt trail until you reach a small set of stairs to the top of Coxcomb Hill. You will see the Astoria Column and magnificent views in all directions.

Look for the trailhead at:

2800 Irving Ave, Astoria, OR 97103

If you begin at the Astoria Column, look for the Cathedral Tree trailhead near the park entrance. Head down the stairs and follow the trail for about a half mile to reach the Cathedral Tree.

*River view outside WineKraft Wine Shop*

Things to do near the Astoria Column

Astoria is one of the larger towns on the Oregon Coast and is full of things to see and do. After visiting the Astoria Column, you may want to check out some of the attractions in town:

See the Columbia River from the Riverwalk Trail.
Check out the shops on Commercial St.
Learn about local history from one of the museums, like the Columbia River Maritime Museum or the Oregon Film Museum.

For places to eat and drink:

You can’t really go wrong with the breweries in Astoria. Fort George Brewery has a great rooftop patio and delicious pizza. Astoria Brewing, Astoria’s first brewery since Prohibition, is on the Riverwalk Trail and has a generous tap list.
For a glass of wine with a river view, look for WineKraft Wine Bar at Pier 11.
For a special occasion, the cozy and elegant Bridgewater Bistro has great views of the Columbia River and the Astoria-Megler Bridge.

For more history and natural beauty, check out some of the sights nearby Astoria:

Explore Fort Stevens State Park, including the famous Wreck of the Peter Iredale.
Make the short hike out to picturesque Youngs River Falls.
Check out Fort Clatsop for more Oregon Trail history.
Head over the bridge to Washington and explore the Long Beach Peninsula.

Getting there

Address: 1 Coxcomb Dr, Astoria, OR 97103

To reach the Astoria Column from Portland, take Highway 30 West to Astoria. Once you reach Astoria, turn right onto 16th Street and begin climbing the hill. Continue about a half mile, then turn right on Jerome Street, left onto 15th Street, and left onto Coxcomb Drive. There will be signs to help point the way. The drive will take about 2 hours.

From Seattle, take I-5 South to Longview, then follow Highway 30 West to Astoria and continue as described above. The drive will take about 3 hours.

Enjoy your visit to the Astoria Column!

With love,

Emma

Looking for more to do at the Coast? From north to south, here are trip suggestions and travel tips for:

Also, check out my guides to the wildlife of the Oregon Coast and Oregon geology.

References:

To learn more about visiting the Astoria Column, especially about its history, see the Friends of the Astoria Column website here.

For geology:

Miller, Marli Bryant. Roadside Geology of Oregon. Missoula, Montana: Mountain Press Publishing Company, 2014.