The Best Hotels to Book Near the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park

Rough it with a tent or chill out in a cozy cabin at the Koa next to Fort Stevens State Park. There are hiking trails in the campground, and the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park is 15 minutes away. Once your hiking boots have had enough, hang out around the campground with a game of basketball, a round of minigolf or a good old-fashioned family barbecue. Don’t spend too much time on your feet, though; a short hike to the Wreck of the Peter Iredale awaits you in the morning.

The Tolovana Inn already anticipates the endless energy your kids are packing. It has a pot or three of fresh coffee ready every morning to give you the pick-me-up your kids somehow got from five hours of sleep. The beach and an oceanfront playground are steps away; the little ones can run amok while you wait for the java to kick in. In addition, the Tolovana Inn will gladly shuttle you downtown if the kids want to shop for souvenirs, saving you the drive and letting you grab a beer if the other brew doesn’t do the trick.

Want beachside bliss without watching your budget get caught in the undertow? The value rooms at the Seashore Inn on the Beach are cheap, clean and way more comfortable than they have any right to be. You’ll lose count of the awesome amenities, including the complimentary wifi, pool, sauna and breakfast. With the beach and Seaside Swings playground across the promenade, your wallet will wonder how you stayed at a beachfront hotel without maxing out your credit card.

The Gilbert Inn is so family-friendly that you’d think you were crashing at your in-law’s beachside bungalow. The beach is a block away from your room, and you’re welcome to borrow as many beach toys and bicycles as you’d like. After a day of fun in the sun, get the kids wrapped up in their pajamas for s’mores by the firepit and maybe even a shooting-star sighting if you’re lucky.

You’ll do a double-take after seeing your bill from the Inn at the Prom. With a fireplace, a two-person jetted tub and a kitchenette or full kitchen in every room, you’ll swear that the front desk made an accounting error. Nowhere on the receipt will be a charge for the fresh-baked cookies you received at check-in, for the DVDs and games you checked out for the kiddos or the endless oceanfront views from your room. Just politely pay your surprisingly small invoice and say no more.

This Holiday Inn Express and Suites will show you that the riverside is the best place to stay in Seaside. Soak up the river views from your window, knowing that Seaside Beach is waiting for you about a half-mile (1km) away. Even on a chilly, rain-soaked day, a complimentary hot breakfast, a signature cinnamon roll and a sauna session will have you feeling warm inside and out – if you can pull yourself from the relaxing spa bathtub in your suite, that is.

The Hampton Inn and Suites is ready to help you achieve your daily step count. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River, allowing you to step out of the hotel and onto the scenic Astoria Riverwalk. Take a detour to Pier 39 for a cappuccino from Coffee Girl, then be on your way to downtown Astoria. If your sneakers can’t keep up, the Astoria Riverfront Trolley will take you back to the hotel, where a soak in its indoor pool will soothe those sore soles.

If there’s one reason to spend the night at this Best Western, it’s so you can spend it gazing at Youngs Bay and the Columbia River. Of course, there’s more than one reason to stay; the 24-hour pool comes to mind. Packed a new board that needs breaking in? Test out your new tricks and scrape up your deck with a few hours of bowl carving at the Astoria Skate Park a couple of blocks away.

How should you spend your time at the Kathryn Riverfront Inn? At a sea turtle’s pace. Wake up whenever the sun breaks through your curtains and sip coffee on your balcony overlooking the Necanicum River. No need to rush to the sauna; a warm spot will be waiting for you after breakfast. Nearby, Dooger’s Seafood and Grill has a plate of crab cakes that are worth rounding the block, and if you don’t mind crossing Broadway, you can rent a swan pedal boat and float down the river in peace.