Cape Disappointment State Park

4.7 (5545)

244 Robert Gray Dr, Ilwaco, WA 98624
(888) 226-7688
parks.state.wa.us

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State park
Historical landmark
Tourist attraction
1,882-acre park at the mouth of the Columbia River with 2 lighthouses, trails, beaches & campsites.

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

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Katrin Tobing

2024-04

My family, some friends and I visited at the end of March. We stayed for 2 nights at an airbnb in Long Beach. We hiked a little bit and walked for almost 2 hours. The sky was blue, the sun shined. It was a marvelous day. I was not athletic at all, though I walk regularly, but the hike was manageable. There was of course great view, a little beach, and history (there was a little experience center/museum). In Long Beach there were nice restaurants and seafood shacks where you can dine and have a beer or two. I so recommend this place!

Tammy Schur

2024-02

This is a very beautiful State Park. We were on a Sunday drive and decided to head this way, so we didn't lodge here. The park is expansive with many areas. Our highlight was the light house. It is well cared for, and the views are stunning. We will be back to further explore and plan a camping trip.

Mack “Mushrooms_r_Us” Clausen

2024-03

The historic ending point of the Lewis and Clark expedition. An amazing park with two lighthouses and a number of ways to gaze out on the incredible Pacific Ocean and cliffs the dominate the area. At one point, a protective camp, now a site with two retained lighthouses and incredible trails. Going through old growth forest areas. Definitely recommend Dead Man's cove as the sunsets for some incredible photos

K Garrison

2024-04

So much beauty and nature to experience. Campground was clean and amenities were great: free hot showers, cozy yurt, and so close to the beach for sunset views and hiking trails. Do not miss a visit to the nearby Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Camp store has all the things you forgot!

B Lupardus

2024-04

We got extremely lucky to have a very nice, sunny weekend here. Part of the park was still closed for winter. We stayed in site 6 on the A loop, and there was plenty of room for our 30' trailer and quad cab truck. The park was very clean, the bathrooms were well maintained, and the beach was less than a 5 minute stroll from our site. They had a trash compactor and recycling bins. We put our starlink on the roof of the trailer and had no obstructions abs 200-300 Mbps download speeds.

Abby Snoznik

2024-03

I loved walking around this state park. The beaches and trails are beautiful. We walked to the lighthouse and it was such a nice time. definitely recommend stopping here. Dog friendlyDog-friendliness: We brought our two dogs and took them on our walk with us. It was an easy pathway for them and there was plenty of space for them to roam on leash

jennifer sanders

2024-04

What a dreamy place to experience. Not only is the lighthouse ABSOLUTELY AMAZING to see with the waves slapping the rocks so high, but there are little trails to take or drive to. We found this spot where there was driftwood for days, and a cute little raccoon saying hi. I would highly recommend Cape Disappointment 👍🏻👍🏻

Shirley Hummer

2024-04

Beach is beautiful, and the campground is very well maintained. We spent a day walking and enjoying the beach. There are lots of trails and places to go close to the campground.Restrooms: Nice bathrooms with showers.

Linda Sevison

2024-03

We visited Cape Disappointment State Park today and thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the ocean and the lighthouses. Very picturesque location, and we took a lot of photos! The one "disappointment" was the fact that the interpretive center was not open, even though the sign at the bottom of the walkway said the gift shop was open. It was locked up tight, and no one was around. I feel bad for the people who parked in the regular parking lot and hiked up the trail to get to the interpretive center. It's a long walk up the hill for nothing. (We were able to park in the handicapped parking with our handicap permit, so it wasn't quite the walk for us.)Restrooms: Restrooms are pit toilets located at several different locations in the park, and they are very clean.

Michael Strand

2024-04

Cape Disappointment did NOT live up to it's name - it certainly was NOT a "disappointment"! What a beautiful place to walk, enjoy God's creation, and watch, hear and smell the waves, trees and air. We loved it! I'm thinking of going back with a book and binoculars.

Erin Gray

2024-02

Absolutely gorgeous park with stunning vistas and a beautiful lighthouse to visit. It was not crowded at all and I only wish I had more time to spend there.

Jackie Boggs

2024-04

It was a very beautiful place. Small (hard) hike to the abandoned lighthouse. Other direction (teeny walk) has the info center that has bathrooms and gift shop

Layne Allyson

2023-12

This is my 4th time here just in the past 6mos. I love this park and can't seem to get enough!Incredible spot to experience the King Tides when they roll in during the winter months. I stayed in the D campground, which is great and in walking distance to Waikiki Beach. There are bathrooms, with showers (yes! running water!!) a huge plus. Easy hiking trails to go up to the Lighthouse and Deadman's Cove or the Interpretive Center where the bunkers are and a great view of the Cape's Lighthouse, Oregon, mouth of the Columbia River, the North and South Jetty and of course, our beautiful Pacific OceanOn the opposite side is the boat launch, a bustling place all day ..Theres so many trails, lakes, overlooks, another gorgeous, newly updated Lighthouse- Northhead Lighthouse which is a must see. It's absolutely beautiful and so are the grounds and other buildings. Ill post my review of it there (see Northhead Lighthouse)oh and .. I've never seen so many deer in one area! they are everywhere!! (Careful driving in/out as they're always walking along the roads)Restrooms: running water! showers, always clean and well maintained. no garbage cans, though.. i thought that was strange, but it makes sensethe restrooms just outside the entrance to Waikiki Beach and the Jetty are private. There's a private shower as well. Outdoor water for rinsing off your feet and cleaning your clams (dont leave clams out unattended, the raccoons are notorious for stealing them)Dog-friendliness: keep em leashed up, please. as in all state parks, trails, beaches ect. One thing to note: Off leash dogs can do a lot of damage to young vegetation and also attract predators (like coyote,cougars and bears)there were signs posted around the park about an "aggressive coyote" which isnt typical for them .. they are great at luring off leash dogs and making your best friend disappear 😬😢 ive seen/heard it happen several times on the busy state trails by my house. Protect your buddy! 🙏Picnic area: several picnic tables at Waikiki and on the Jetty (behind it on the grass) and others around the parkeach campsite of course has a fire pit and picnic table as well

Amanda H

2024-03

Nice drive to Cape Disappointment, the front desk staff were very friendly and helpful. There is a museum with a free exhibit about Cape Disappointment, but also a paid exhibit related to Lewis and Clark. Bathrooms were clean, gift shop had plenty, and there are lovely views of the lighthouse and water from inside the museum.

Catherine North

2024-02

I love this place!! The restrooms are really nice, each one is private. The beach is amazing and there are many trails. The best time to go is the off season when it isn't as busy

Garrett Wheeler

2024-04

Amazing site to visit for the bunkers and the views. Amazing hike as well to the Light House.

Emily Goodin

2023-09

This state park and campground are definitely worth a visit. The WIDE sandy beach was a surprise to me, I have to confess - I was expecting a rocky shoreline. It was lovely to be on the beach at sunset with a view to the north of the North Head Lighthouse. Campground bathrooms were impressive - PRIVATE individual rooms with full locking doors for the toilets and showers. Pretty good privacy/spacing between the sites, I like the circular arrangement. We will definitely be back!

Ryan Inslee

2024-04

A cool place to hike and take in the scenery. If you like to fish or crab you can do that too. I took my dog and ran her on the beach. She loved it.Restrooms: I pooped in one. It wasn't bad at all.Dog-friendliness: Dogs love this place.

Irish

2024-04

Snail slowly determined to make it on the path. Hiking trails are great!

Daren Goulding

2023-09

There are truly dozens of great parks in Washington. Cape disappointment park and light house are one of my top 10. Grand view of the Pacific Ocean and The mouth of the Columbia River. Took the tour of the light house proper and was not disappointed. Even better views from on high. Parks volunteers, the most helpful yet underrated service, offer a 15 minute tour of the lighthouse it’s only $3. If you’re feeling generous then you can always donate a little more it really helps out. After a lighthouse tour then explore the rest of this park. There is a campground and it takes reservations. Really worth a visit to this one and summer time is best.

Tammy French

2023-12

Always a lovely place to visit any time of the year. The heated yurts make it a year round camping destination. We were here for the good weather and king tides.

Travis and Kristina Rhodes

2023-09

Gorgeous state park with lots to do! Discovery pass is required for parking. You can either pay for a day pass or buy a discovery pass there. I hiked the trails to the lighthouse and disappointment cove. It was about 3 miles round trip. Highly recommend visiting this park!

Jim Au

2024-02

Unlike its name, this park is far from disappointing. Great short hikes. Beautiful and stunning ocean vistas. And, free!

Jody Miles

2024-04

Perfect in every way. A must visit. You will truly appreciate being in a Cape of "Disappointment".

Jacob Cole

2024-03

Gorgeous park, it's got amazing beaches, view points, and trails.

Nicole Lynch

2024-03

February 15th and it felt like summer ☀️ beautiful experience and scenery, always a great trip!Restrooms: Nice and clean and easily accessible by wheelchair ♿️Dog-friendliness: Just remember to put them on a leash for their safety. There's lots of drop-offs, other dogs, and people on bikes everywhere!

Jim Chan

2023-09

Didn't get to do the trails as the kids were hungry but stayed at the gift shop a good half an hour as the kids really liked it. The cashier was super friendly. Unfortunately the lighthouse tour was about ten minutes late and still hadn't shown so we had to leave. We'll definitely be back for the trails and the tour as the view was amazing.

Jess Rocky

2023-09

Beautiful area, great camping spots, lots of clean bathrooms, and lots of trails to explore. Beware the Raccoons at night! Sand is soft and can easy be walked barefoot on. Showers are free, bathrooms stay lit up 24/7 and have an outlit for plugging in. Will be back next year for sure!Restrooms: Clean, free showers, disabled accessible toilet/shower, lit up 24/7.Dog-friendliness: Lots of people bring their dogs, would not recommend bringing a dog-aggressive/reactive dog.

Olivia Hughes

2023-06

Beautiful beach, we camped at the campground for a long weekend. It was pretty windy in the afternoons, but the mornings on the beach were beautiful. Lots of cool driftwood. If you walk down the beach past the campground, it's pretty peaceful and empty. I would definitely go back.Dog-friendliness: It seemed like everyone had a dog. Lots of off leash dogs on the beach at the time of year we went.

Rachael

2023-06

Gorgeous views, great history, nice hike. This is not easily accessible for those with mobility limitations. You have to hike in and the hike will not be easy for some. For those without concern and/or love to hike and explore, it's very nice. If you're in love with Dead Man's Cove like I am, shimmy down the cliff and enjoy. Careful though, that pretty water can sneak up on you!

Opening Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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