Astoria Column
Astoria Column
4.5
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
A 125-foot column which sits atop of Coxcomb Hill overlooking Astoria.
Duration: < 1 hour
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See what travellers are saying
- Have Camera, Will TravelSouth Bend, Indiana3,803 contributionsHead up to the top!We did the Astoria Column pretty early in the morning on a Saturday and that was a good idea. It wasn't busy yet, so we we could leisurely climb to the top and had plenty of space to wander around for picture in every direction. It's an excellent view. Do not skip out on the little gift shop. They had a really good selection of items for both Astoria and the Goonies. The guy running the place was really nice and telling us places to check out around town. We enjoyed our visit.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 January 2024
- sharrongegHenderson, Nevada3,775 contributionsAwesome Views!$5 to park, and well worth every penny. A bit of a hike up to the top of the tower - but the views were outstanding. We visited on a Friday afternoon and there was only one other gal at the top when I got there. No elevator, not appropriate for anyone with a physical limitation.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 March 2024
- Kim BReno, Nevada6 contributionsWorth The VisitI would recommend going to see the column. The artwork is amazing on it and the views are gorgeous. There are chairs seated in the grassy area where you can take in all the views and maybe even picnic. I guess I didn't read the reviews good enough before I went to know that you can climb the stairs to the top. Its quite a climb. There is a little gift shop that sells little planes you can throw off the top. I wish we had done that. The people at top who had them looked like they were having so much fun.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 31 March 2024
- Sheldon KingWynyard, Canada1,336 contributionsVery windyBeautiful view from up top but be warned it's extremely windy up there. Definitely buy one of the balsa wood planes to throw off the top. If they catch the wind they can go super far. Almost got one to the high school football field!Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 25 July 2024
- machinmadYaxley, United Kingdom2,655 contributionsGreat views …The squiggly drive up to the summit was worth the views overlooking Astoria. The column itself is beautifully painted, depicting a historic narrative of the locale. The panoramic view down to the river and sea below is stunning. Car parking is only $5 inclusive of facilities and a gift shop.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 September 2024
- Susan J13 contributionsViews forverYou can see almost forever from here. The ride up to the column is a bit tight & through a residential neighborhood but definitely worth it. The park was clean & well maintained. You can climb to the top. The area also has a restroom & a lovely little gift shop with local items. Would be a great location for a picnic lunch.Visited September 2024Travelled soloWritten 26 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
2,717 reviews
Excellent
1,787
Very good
755
Average
144
Poor
22
Terrible
9
Trav_LN_now
Crystal Lake, IL511 contributions
May 2021
The Astoria Column is beautiful. It was dedicated by the Great Northern Railway in 1926. It has pictures all around it depicting some of the events of American exploration and development of the Northwest. During normal times you can climb the stairs to the top, but it is currently closed. The views of the landscape below are breathtaking and shouldn't be missed. There is a small gift shop and restrooms are available. They do charge a small fee for parking that goes to the upkeep of the grounds.
Written 31 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin Archibald
Kingston, TN4,363 contributions
Jun 2020
Driving up to the column was less than overwhelming, but once you get close and see the detail in the artwork on the column, it is something you will never forget. Honoring the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the people that sent them, this is a magnificent work of art. As you follow the diagonal lines up the column they tell a story. The views from the top of this hill are also spectacular, even of a overcast and foggy day like we encountered, you can see the Astoria Megler Bridge crossing the Columbia river to Washington and many of the areas of Astoria. Because of the Covid 19 restrictions the column and gift shop were closed, but still did not deter the beauty of this site.
Written 23 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dale Wanderlust
3 contributions
Jul 2022
If you are in Astoria you need to go see the Astoria Column. It took us until our 3rd trip to discover this beauty. It is a 170’ tall round tower with a 170 step metal spiral staircase inside. The column is on top of a hill with 360 degree view of Astoria and the surrounding forests and rivers. First go to the gift shop and buy some balsa wood gliders. Will explain more later. The outside of the building has a written and pictorial story of Lewis and Clark Expedition. After entering the tower door look up to see the spiral staircase. It took multiple catch-our-breath stops on the conveniently placed flat platforms to make it to the top. The view is amazing. You can walk all the way around the tower at the top and every step there some new beauty to behold. We did not know about the gliders mentioned earlier but while we were at the top a family had 5 of them. Based on how you assemble and set the wings will determine the distance and time of your glider flight. Some lasted 10 seconds as they tightly spiraled down. A few lasted about a minute as they soared wide spirals, caught drafts and ended up in the forest. They are designed to breakdown as part of nature. Don’t miss this man made wonder.
Written 28 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
redhead_roaming
Seattle, WA2,858 contributions
Oct 2021
I was so ignorant as to where this was - I honestly thought, to avoid paying for parking in their parking lot, we could park nearby and walk. Then, as we were driving to it and were going up that narrow no-shoulder road, I was like, 'Nope, we'll pay for the parking!' When we were at the top, we did see a couple people walking up the side hill but after having had some rain a few days prior, the ground wasn't the most solid and honestly, rain aside, the hike looked miserable. 10/10 do not recommend.
With twin babies and COVID, we opted not to climb the column but we did see a few airplanes come zipping down (apparently you can buy them in the shop). We enjoyed walking in the grass area and enjoying the views in the various chairs, overlooking the city.
Overall, there's not much to do, other than climb the tower and/or relax and look at the view. But it was still a nice time (it helped that the weather was on our side). We were there for just under an hour but you could do it much quicker.
With twin babies and COVID, we opted not to climb the column but we did see a few airplanes come zipping down (apparently you can buy them in the shop). We enjoyed walking in the grass area and enjoying the views in the various chairs, overlooking the city.
Overall, there's not much to do, other than climb the tower and/or relax and look at the view. But it was still a nice time (it helped that the weather was on our side). We were there for just under an hour but you could do it much quicker.
Written 7 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie G
Chevy Chase Village, MD20 contributions
Jun 2022
If I can climb this structure with a mask on at 64 years of age and overweight and say it was worth it, you should believe me. The view is spectacular. You'll pay for parking, but the site itself is free. For $2, you can purchase a glider to launch from the top of the column.
Written 26 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt M
North Bend, WA94 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
I heard about this place and it didn’t disappoint! It was sunny and clear and you could see for a long way. You take a spiral staircase up 164 steps in a tight tunnel, which can be a little nerve-wracking to some, but I was totally fine with it. One thing that is a must... go buy a little wood plane for $1 in the gift shop, then toss it off the top. It’s awesome fun watching where it goes! Mine actually got lift and probably flew at least a quarter mile into the canyon! I’d definitely go back on a good day, just for the views... and to toss another plane off!
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spencers965
Bear, Delaware169 contributions
Jul 2020
The tower was unnecessarily closed because of covid. Only a few people there when we visited and they could easily have limited the number of people passing going to the top. Felt cheated. It does cost $5 per car load to enter. Beautiful location and a great place to view Astoria and the surrounding area.
Written 6 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg H
Spring Hill, KS169 contributions
Sept 2020
We visited the Astoria Column as suggested for oriention to Astoria. It sits high up in Astoria and requies a $5 charge per car. I really wanted to walk to the top of the Column but unfortunately it is closed due to Covid. There is a nice hiking train and great views of the Colombia River and the city of Astoria.
Written 20 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jansenhawk
Portland, OR67 contributions
Mar 2020
If it is a clear day, don't miss going to the Astoria Column. The view is incredible! Be sure to get balsam wood airplanes in the gift shop before climbing the column so that you can fly them off the top. Parking is $5, and the climb up the spiral staircase isn't too bad - there are landings that you can rest on before reaching the top.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M West
19 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
The Astoria Column gives beautiful views of the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean. The spiral staircase inside has several platforms that allow for passing as well as taking a break. The top of the tower is small and a bit crowded but well worth the climb.
Written 28 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sactomom
Roseville, California
I am going to be traveling towing a travel trailer. Is there a place to park that is suitable?
Written 6 January 2019
RepentedHipster
Cortez, Colorado
1 contribution
There are 57 parking spots, 13 of which are parallel and two are an extended length pull through. Go early.
Written 6 January 2019
the $5 parking fee is the only fee, well worth the money for the spectacular views and a full year of visits if you plan to travel back to the area. Definitely recommend purchasing the little planes in the gift shop before heading upstairs if you have kids! I don't know how much they are as we were unaware of this before we climbed but we saw several kids having a blast with them.
Written 22 March 2018
how to get there without car?
if walking... will be difficult?
Written 24 September 2017
It is a little more than a mile and a half from the Maritime Museum on the riverfront, and all uphill. I don't know if there are buses that go up there.
Written 25 September 2017
How much time should I spend at the Astoria Column, including a walk to the top? I am a little short on time but want to spend enough time. thanks.
Written 29 August 2016
30 min is about right but if you're lucky and have a great day then you'd want a little longer. I say plan for an hour. If you're in that much of a hurry then don't go. I've been there twice BTW.
Written 30 August 2016
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