Top of a lighthouse seen behind a mossy ridgeline

Cape Disappointment Temporary Camping Closure

Project summary

Cape Disappointment camping — including loops A, B, C and D, Waikiki Beach and the North Jetty are scheduled to close mid-September 2025 through spring 2026 while we complete renovations and repairs to improve the park. The boat launch will also experience intermittent closures. 

Improvements include:

  • A culvert replacement on campground access road
  • Work on the park's entrance road that will improve traffic flow at the park entrance
  • A new Welcome Center
  • Increased hiking opportunities with new trail in the Three Waters Trail system
  • Restored wetland and habitat protection for wildlife

Long-term benefits of this work:

  • New park entrance will improve flow of traffic
  • Campground road will be safer, especially for RVs and camp trailers
  • New trail will provide more hiking opportunities
  • Restored wetland improves park aesthetics and protects habitat for birds and animals that live there – meaning more birding and wildlife viewing for visitors

Areas still open for day use

Parts of the park will remain open for day use, including:

  • The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
  • North Head Lighthouse
  • Beard’s Hollow

The lightkeepers’ residences at Cape Disappointment and vacation homes at neighboring Fort Columbia will remain open for overnight stays.

While State Parks is tasked with the maintenance and upkeep of the lands entrusted to us, including conservation of natural resources and recreation access, we recognize these closures impact the local communities our parks are a part of. As the project progresses, we will look for opportunities to increase access to the park when and where we can.