mapngo

I am starting to look at things to do around Astoria Oregon for next summer. Mostly I am going to spend time with my sister, but I got to looking around for things to do, and I noticed yurt accomodations at Ft Stevens. First of all, I had never heard of a yurt until today. Has anybody every spent the night in one? Do the space heaters provided keep the place toasty overnight? Would Ft Stevens be a fun place to stay for a few days?

beachbum

I've never spent a night in a yurt (own my own tent) but am sure that space heater would keep things toasty warm, probably too much so during the summer. Ft Stevens is open year round, so those heaters are more intended for winter use.

"Would Ft Stevens be a fun place to stay for a few days?"

It's a huge park with lots of attractions: nice beaches, wreck of the Peter Iredale, miles of hiking and biking trails, a small lake, a sand dune or two.... But, with all that comes lots of traffic. Ft Stevens has the largest campground of any of Oregon's State Parks, bigger even than some coastal towns: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/imag...tevens_map.pdf. It's obviously some people's idea of camping, but not mine.

To your other question about things to do in/around Astoria... Besides sailing balsa wood airplanes from the Astor Column, my favorite is a visit to Cape Disappointment State Park, near Ilwaco, WA, about 15 miles from Astoria. The park's Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and North Head Lighthouse are particularly noteworthy. Might be kinda cool if you surprised your sister with reservations to stay at one of the two lighthouse keepers' houses there.

321go

beachbum's got the rest of your question answered, but I might be able to help with the yurt question. My sister and her family have stayed in the yurts several times. They love them! I think the latest in the year they've stayed in one was toward the end of October. The space heater kept them warm enough at night. What time of year are you going there?

sunbum1944

I stayed in the "deluxe" yurt at Umqua Lighthouse state park- close to Reedsport- and it was great- sure beats camping- we had a kitchen, indoor bathroom, a TV to play DVD's on- stayed comfortably warm -
We loved it!!

boom_boom

topping

mapngo

Thanks Beachbum,321 and sunbum. It will probably next July when we would visit. I looked at the average temps. for July and it will be considerable cooler than what we are use to here during July. I think staying in a yurt could be a lot of fun. I know it is a fun word to say anyway.
I have been to Cape Disappointment years ago and loved it. I never even thought about trying to reserve a lighthouse keepers house. I will definitely check into that.
I didn't think about Ft Stevens being packed with guests, but that totally makes sense. It looks like there is quite a bit to do there.

kimamom

Yes, lots to do! Astoria, Gearhart, Seaside, Cannon Beach are all close by. ***kim***

sunbum1944

yurt is a very fun word to say-my former sister in law came out here from St Louis and she had never heard of a yurt either - so she was very excited to stay in one. She works in a big law firm in STL and they were all impressed- sounded like a big adventure to them.

The ones at Umqua State park are great because they are on a small lake stocked with fish and at night you can go up to the lighthouse and see the lights shining out to sea and reflecting off the trees behind it - the lights are red and white and its like being in a laser carousel - its very very cool!

Another lighthouse keepers house that is great to stay in is Heceta Head- its a B&B- check forums for a report I did earlier this year- I am more familiar with central coast- from Florence to Lincoln City