Cape Disappointment Yurts
Cape Disappointment Vacation Houses
North Head Lighthouse Wedding Day-Use Site
Wildfire season is here. Approximately 85 percent of WA's wildfires are caused by people. Do your part to protect your parks. Before visiting, check park alerts and burn restrictions before lighting any fires.
Burn Ban - Level 1
Fires allowed in all designated fire pits and grills. Propane and gas grills allowed.
Cape Disappointment State Park
244 Robert Gray Drive, Ilwaco, WA 98624
Hike a trail that meanders through a forest, around freshwater lakes, saltwater marshes and ocean tidelands. The beaches at Cape Disappointment lure kite flyers, sandcastle builders and nature explorers.
Rules
- Dogs Allowed on Leash
- Fires Allowed in Designated Areas
- Horses not Allowed
Seashore Conservation Area Rules and Safety
Cape Disappointment is one of 10 parks located within the Seashore Conservation Area. Learn more about the rules and safety precautions you will need to observe when visiting this visiting these coastal parks at our Seashore Conservation Area page.
The parking lots at the North Head, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and Beards Hollow will not accommodate RVs.
Beach hazards
Swimming in the ocean on the Long Beach Peninsula is not advised.
Washington's coastal parks are dynamic and beautiful. They are also potentially dangerous! Learn about beach hazards and how to stay safe when you go to play or camp at coastal parks.
Park camera
View the live camera at Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center to see the mouth of the Columbia River.
View the live camera at North Head Lighthouse with a distant view of the mouth of the Columbia River.
Activities
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Beach Exploration
Biking
Bird Watching
Boating
Camping
Crabbing
Fishing
Folk Arts Activities
Golf
Hiking, Walking, Rolling and Running
Interpretive and Visitor Centers
Metal Detecting
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Shellfishing
Winter Camping
Amenities
Accessible Campsites
Automated Pay Station
Accessible Restrooms
ADA Buildings
Drinking Water
Fire Pit
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Firewood
Park Ranger Station
Recycling
Restrooms
Showers
Trash Service
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Boat Ramp
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Dock
Pumpout
Groceries
Picnic Tables
Accessible Parking
Parking
Trailer Dump
Amphitheater
Concessions
Interpretive Opportunities
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Lighthouse
Accessible Trails
Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
Park features
Forest
Freshwater
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Lake
Ocean Beach
Saltwater
Sandy Beach
Viewpoint
Wetland
Wildlife Viewing
Rules
- Dogs Allowed on Leash
- Fires Allowed in Designated Areas
- Horses not Allowed
Seashore Conservation Area Rules and Safety
Cape Disappointment is one of 10 parks located within the Seashore Conservation Area. Learn more about the rules and safety precautions you will need to observe when visiting this visiting these coastal parks at our Seashore Conservation Area page.
The parking lots at the North Head, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and Beards Hollow will not accommodate RVs.
Beach hazards
Swimming in the ocean on the Long Beach Peninsula is not advised.
Washington's coastal parks are dynamic and beautiful. They are also potentially dangerous! Learn about beach hazards and how to stay safe when you go to play or camp at coastal parks.
Park camera
View the live camera at Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center to see the mouth of the Columbia River.
View the live camera at North Head Lighthouse with a distant view of the mouth of the Columbia River.
Map & visitor guide
46.29182434, -124.0667267
Cape Disappointment is a 2,023-acre camping park on the Long Beach Peninsula, fronted by the Pacific Ocean and looking into the mouth of the Columbia River. Gape at the breathtaking views of the North Head Lighthouse, or enjoy the interactive exhibits in the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. The park offers yurts and unique historic vacation homes to meet your diverse lodging needs.
Boating
Cape Disappointment offers one boat ramp and 135 feet of dock on Baker Bay in the Columbia River.
Picnic and day use facilities
The day use area has unsheltered picnic tables available first-come, first-served.
Camping
Camping Information
The campground has standard, partial hookup, full hookup, and five primitive hiker/biker campsites available first-come, first-served. The park accommodates RVs and combinations of 45 feet or less in length.
Winter Schedule
Learn about seasonal closures and operational changes during the off-season on the Winter Schedule page.
Grocery, Pizza and Beverages
NOTE: The Cape D Store will be closed in 2026 and into 2027 due to construction of the new contact station.
The Cape "D" Store carries a variety of items to meet your camping needs, including firewood, ice, a variety of groceries, clothing, games and toys, camping and fishing supplies and propane. They also serve up freshly made sandwiches and hand-scooped ice cream. The store is open weekends in March, April and Oct. and daily from May to September.
Golf
Surfside Golf Course is located to the north at Skating Lake State Park in Ocean Park (23-minute drive from Cape Disappointment). The golf course is in a beautiful, park-like setting, with a driving range, cafƩ, pro shop with rentals, pull carts and power carts. Open all year. For more information, visit the Surfside Golf Course website.
Interpretive opportunities
Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
Perched on a 200-foot-high cliff, the Interpretive Center tells the story of the famous explorer duo, Lewis and Clark, and their journey from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center also features interpretive trails and the North Head Lighthouse.
North Head Lighthouse
The North Head Lighthouse offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Long Beach Peninsula, Columbia River Bar and the northern Oregon Coast. It is open to visitors May to Sept. 30.
Park History
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