fort yamhill state heritage area

Important -- This park is *not* part of the Grande Ronde tribal grounds!When you turn off Hwy 22, you drive *past* the tribal grounds. Keep going up the hill on the paved road, and the road will end at the correct location where Fort Yamhill was located! At the actual fort location, there is parking for both cars and RVs. We walked over to the large informational sign and got a brochure which described the walking tour. We started on the right hand side going up the gravel footpath. Only one building remains from the days when this was a fort, and that is the Officer's Quarters. There is a building marked "store", but no historical information. The "blockhouse" is still in existence but was moved to Dayton about 100 years ago. (I've included a photo of it since we have visited that location.)As we followed the path, we read the signs which identified where the various buildings were. This is where you need imagination, as all you see today is a lot of grassy areas! The informational signs tend to lean toward the native Indian viewpoint.The day was warm and sunny and the walk was pleasant. The footpath winds up the hill, then to return to the parking area, we walked down the hill along a short section of the horse and wagon road which went right by the fort's entrance. Parts of Hwy 22 follow some of the wagon route. There are a couple of picnic tables and non-flushing toilets here. There is no 'plankhouse' as that is at the tribal grounds, not here in the State Heritage Area. There is no entry fee for this park.

Plentiful options are here: site of 2 annual Grand Ronde Tribe Pow Wows, former site of Fort Yamhill (Gen. Phil Sheridan, 1850's), walking trails with historical information kiosks, bird watching, picnic areas, Park Ranger and/or hosts regularly on-site, clean bathrooms, large Native American plankhouse, and a quiet place to take a break from the Willamette Valley-Oregon Coast travels, only 2 miles from Spirit Mountain Casino.