I have mixed feelings how eligible some state parks are in Washington. Some are absolutely stellar, out of this world, highly memorable and beautiful and some that are simply underwhelming or disappointing even. Well that's not the case at all with Cape Disappointment State Park. It is truly an amazing place. You get to see two lighthouses, beautiful views, the ocean and if you're lucky maybe even a whale. Which is exactly what we did see. We saw a Gray Whale lazing about in the water with it's fin treading water before quietly disappearing into the water. Of course taking in nature walks and hikes are a good option here too if it suits your fancy. I can definitely recommend very highly in regards to visiting this lovely park. It's truly a great one for the state! read more

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This is a must! It is so beautiful, well maintained. Weather wasn't the best but could drive around most of the park. Took the wrong road and didn't get to the ocean side. Dog didn't enjoy the road on the bay side, to many turns and up and down. read more

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Went for ride to the coast and we were anything but disappointed. The trails were really nice and although we had rain, sleet and snow in the same day, that didn't keep us from enjoying the beautiful views. We went from the campsites over to Waikiki Beach (probably the only disappointment if you ever been to Hawaii) and then up the hillside to the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. Waves were crashing along the rocks creating some beautiful pictures. Walk from the camp sites to Deadman's Hollow Beach and go on a Lewis & Clark trail walk. read more

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Windy and cold, but wow it's a spectacular view of the oceans mystical power. The park is well maintained with beautiful paved roads and clean bathrooms. Be safe while enjoying the views. It's tempting to get too close, and the locals say it happens too often. read more

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Such a beautiful place. It is not a disappointment! at all! It's wonderful with beautiful views read more

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The views are breathtaking if it's clear. After parking and walking the short trail you are rewarded with inspiring views of the water and cliffs. The trail was kind of muddy and at times gets a little steep. Some of the trees along the way are enormous!! Be on the lookout for bald eagles and other wildlife. This place is beautiful. Highly recommended. Parking is 10 dollars. read more

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Cape Disappointment State Park is the place to be if you wish to get both a good grip on the dangerous nature of the mouth of the Columbia River and the Lewis & Clark expedition, known to many as the Corps of Discovery. There is a breathtaking panorama of the primary goal of Captain Lewis and Lieutenant Clark, that being the Pacific Ocean. The story of that journey is expertly recounted in the museum with exhibits which will answer just about any question you may have regarding it. Also, the story of the Graveyard of the Pacific as it's known cannot and isn't ignored. The story of the treacherous bar of the Columbia River, which gutted ships and serves to create terribly dangerous waves at the rivers mouth is recounted. It is said that 2,000 ships were lost trying to enter or leave the mouth of the great river. Make sure your cell phone is sufficiently charge for the amount of photos you will want to take. Fasten your seatbelts. It's a lot of fun! read more

Cape Disappointment State Park - Parks Near Me - Ilwaco, Washington

This state park is on the edge of the earth with a light house. I wouldn't say the path to the light house is ADA or kid friendly. Steep, narrow path to go up through the woods to see the light house. There are campsites, restrooms and water available. A Discovery Park pass or $10 a day fee required. read more

Cape Disappointment State Park - Parks Near Me - Ilwaco, Washington

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So thrilled I finally got to revisit this lovely park and this time go into the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center (LCIC) - very well worth the visit!! This park has several beautiful lighthouses, tons of hiking trails and birds, and lots of history and info scattered all around. The main part I've visited is the LCIC, Fort Canby, and a small portion of the hiking trails around that area. Parking is $10 and you can pay at the kiosk in the lot or online - instructions are listed on a sign in the lot. To get to the LCIC & Fort Canby, walk up the trail directly behind the info sign in the parking lot. It's short with a slight incline and fully paved - there's another lot at the top that is handicap accessible so you don't have to go up that hill! The trail up is just lovely! Lots of towering trees covered in moss and this time of year there were TONS of Swainson's Thrushes hiding in the ferns singing their eerie, haunting tunes - I've never seen (or heard) so many in one place! Once at the top you're rewarded with sweeping views of the Washington side of the Columbia River bar and the pacific off in the distance. There are lots of interesting info signs on the way up and at the viewpoints. Off to the left you'll see one of the beautiful lighthouses. You can also go into the lighthouse so I'll have to come back for that next time haha! Last time I was here, the LCIC was closed bc of Covid but this time it was open!! It's free to enter and well worth a browse - lots of cool historical info about the area as well as a neat exhibit on the lighthouses in the area. I had no idea they all have their own unique light/flash "signatures"! The staff are all very friendly and I can highly recommend visiting - lots to see and you could easily spend a day hiking and exploring. They also have campgrounds and yurts for rent. read more

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It's a little over a mile round trip from the parking lot to this lighthouse. It's near deadman's cove. Beautiful scenery. I saw people get winded on the trail because it can be steep. Amazing views as it was a clear day. We were in Astoria visiting their lighthouse when we realized how close we were to here and was not disappointed with coming. I recommend go early for parking as it is limited. If no spots are open keep circling it's worth the wait! read more

Cape Disappointment State Park - Parks Near Me - Ilwaco, Washington

During previous visits we've driven past the campgrounds but never stayed. Last weekend we decided to give it a chance. D just seems so cramped with zero room or privacy, but we stayed one night in B and it's very different. Plenty of room and a much better setting. This visit we also took a different trail, the Cape Disappointment Trail from the big parking lot near Waikiki Beach, past the Battery, the interpretive center, Dead Man's Cove, and up to the lighthouse. Fun, winding, narrow trail...a bit muddy right now, but enjoyable. The battery was fun to explore and views from the lighthouse and center were fabulous. We saw multiple eagles soaring overhead while at the lighthouse. We didn't wander down to the cove, but it looked amazing so we will save that for another visit. Cape Disappointment is a fun, huge park that always feels so peaceful. read more

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I think Cape Disappointment State Park may have been THE park that sparked my love for camping, outdoors, and landscape photography. This is where I learned that state parks have great facilities that include showers and modern bathrooms. This is where I learned that there is a beach called Waikiki Beach in Washington! As someone from Hawaii, I was hit with all kinds of cool new information and experiences. This park has so much to offer. There are camping sites and yurt sites. I could never snag a yurt reservation but it is great to know that yurts are an option as we love yurt camping. There are beaches, hiking trails, and a lighthouse. All these equal to amazing fun with family and lots of opportunities for landscape photography. read more

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This park is such a beautiful piece of the PNW! I should disclaimer - it is also an incredibly STORMY part of the PNW, so do not come here if you are looking for warm days on the beach. You should however pack your rain gear and clam digging supplies and come have a blast. We stayed in a RV site, hookups worked well, site had tons of space between us and our neighbors. There was also a nice forest walking path that easily took us from our site to the beach, though there were many ways to access. The beach was so long - so much space and different things to explore! Our pictures are from a visit in November and the tides were MASSIVE! If you have young kids who aren't super aware of their surroundings I would definitely make sure you spend most your time on the beach during low tide, because it was pretty darn aggressive. We took a drive up to hike to the lighthouse and enjoyed that as well. Next time we will come equipped with dry firewood, tarps and our rain pants and we will really be ready read more

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Visited cape disappointment with my family to see a lighthouse and the coast. Arrived at the parking lot. There is a $10 fee to park unless you have a state park pass. You need to pay with a credit card at least at the north head lighthouse section. Bathrooms were open. Trash cans available. My family are not really big hikers and we were doing a lot of other stuff that day. My husband stopped here though for me so we could do a brief jaunt. We did the light house loop and Bells View overlook trail. Both trails were paved and easy and really accessible for anyone. The loop just past the lighthouse is currently closed (for construction of some sort) But you can make it all the way to the lighthouse and stand around it you just can't go further than that, and will need to go back the way you came. The lighthouse is currently closed. The day was super overcast, windy and cold. Apparently they get at least 100 days of wind a year there. The waves were kicking. We thought it was absolutely beautiful there. I would have loved more time to explore but was definitely not disappointed with what i did get to see. read more

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This place entirely fails to live up to its name. Some really heavenly trails and many are totally accessible for those in wheelchairs. We had a lovely time wandering around the lighthouse and the WWII bunker (??!!!?). Some cool looking trees. Amazing ocean views. There did seem to be some confusion around if the visitor center was open so we didn't bother hiking up to it. Different signs said different things. COVID confusion! read more

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Lots to do. Clean restrooms. Spacious camp sites. Beautiful beach. Nice trails. Gorgeous lighthouses.

The drive from Astoria to Cape Disappointment is relaxingly scenic. Hugging the shore during parts of the route and going through some small, lonely towns during other sections, it's a world away from the anxieties we all now face. I knew that this would be my last little adventure last month as I already began to prepare myself mentally for isolation due to the pandemic. Cape Disappointment has its own isolation on land that juts out toward the alternating calm and raging waters that surround it. The trail to the lighthouse is not too long and not too strenuous but the path can be a bit muddy in this lush green landscape. Taking slow deep breaths of this air feels so rejuvenating. If only it were possible to breathe like this every day. The morning was peaceful and almost idyllic but I would like to visit when the infamous weather and waves live up to their dangerous and chilling reputation. read more

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We heard "black sand beach" and decided to make a quick 20 minute stop. It does cost $10 for a day pass as it is a state park and we were told that Waikiki beach is the best place to see the black sand. You'll wanna park at the first main parking lot where you see restrooms and showers and there's a trail directly behind that which takes you down to the beach. Be very careful that you go when the tide is low as waves come in and crash against the whole cove area and it can be very dangerous. There is also lots of driftwood. If you drive a little farther to the next parking lot, you can look out over a massive amount of driftwood to see Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. This is where the pictures of the big splashing waves with lighthouse above come from. read more

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This is a lovely place to visit. There are two different lighthouses. The North Head Lighthouse faces out to the ocean, and is an easier walk that is paved most of the way. The Cape Disappointment Lighthouse is at the southern tip of the park (near Fort Canby - also worth a visit), and it overlooks the mouth of the Columbia River. For this location, we did not find much information posted about the walk from the parking lot to the lighthouse itself. The trail ends up taking you around a cove, so you begin the journey by walking away from the lighthouse, through the woods, and eventually to a road that leads to the lighthouse. By the time you reach the paved section, you're about halfway there. It's not a difficult hike, but be on the lookout for slippery sections on the trail, particularly around the elevation changes. The views are well worth the trip. read more

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Overall, the experience was great. Called last minute and got a tent site. The sandy beaches were great and exactly what the kids needed. They have regular stall bathrooms with a shower stall at the end. There are also single bathrooms. We had cell phone reception at the site but not on the beach (not necessarily a negative). The negative: the boundaries for the sites aren't established so our neighbors' tent was definitely within our site. Thankfully, we only had one tent so it was okay but if we had the 3 tent maximum then it might have caused issues. Everyone seemed to be asleep by 10pm so if you're looking for a party scene, this place is definitely not it. Also, watch out for the trash pandas! All the food was rummaged through (our bad for not putting all the food smelling food in the car for safety!). read more

Cape Disappointment State Park - Boundary lines unclear. The white tent behind the kiddos belongs to the neighbor campers. - Parks Near Me - Ilwaco, Washington

Maybe you need to come here on a nicer day to be able to enjoy this park, but coming here on a cloudy day was definitely disappointing. There are so many potentially pretty views throughout the park, but every point for me was "meh" because of how gray it was the day we went. I can't help but compare this with Olympic National Park, especially Ruby Beach, which is superior. After a while - maybe the 2nd beach, I got tired of seeing all the dead wood everywhere. So annoying having to walk around and on them. It was cool, though, seeing what some people were capable of building with the wood. I couldn't find a trash can anywhere near the lighthouse, which seems like a necessary place to put one. Otherwise, people were leaving tons of garbage all over. Side note: I had a giant mosquito land on my arm on my way back to the car from Waikiki Beach. I knew because I felt it and then saw it on me. read more

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I am still having a tough time coming up what is so disappointing... Truly well surpasses its name. This was a wonderful park discovery--far from touristy Long Beach which had little to be desired... (I will stop there without insulting any specific group). Check out Dead Man's Cove which is a hidden beach full of driftwood along the Disappointment Lighthouse Trail (half of the 0.6 "difficult" trail--don't waste your breath on the remainder). Keep in mind that this trail puts the North Head Lighthouse Trail to shame. Definitely check out the views (particularly at sunset and high tide) from the second parking lot along North Jetty Drive. Gorgeous! We watched a bald eagle soar high above while waves splashed the bird-filled cliffs. Truly splendid and heavenly. Don't miss out on the WWII bunkers which you can use your phone's flashlight to explore. It yells Halloween! Be sure to drive to Astoria for killer views and one of my favorite Pacific Northwest towns. The majority of this part you can explore with a car yet feel far from society. read more

Had a great time visiting with our little kids. The grounds around the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center were fun to explore. We visited in early November and basically had the place to ourselves. The interpretive center was easy to navigate with a huge double stroller. Staff/volunteers were very friendly and informative. They have interactive activities for little kids that may otherwise find a museum boring. We were unable to take the trail to the light house near deadman's cove with our stroller, so we will be back once the kids are older. We ventured to the North Head lighthouse, which had beautiful views and was easily accessible with a paved path and public restrooms nearby. Worth a stop and the $10 parking pass. read more

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We were quite rushed as we tried to get through some of this park on a somewhat overcast day. But really, seeing any part of it was a real treat. Most of the trip was driving across the bridge and then into the park from the south side, and then pulling off at a few view points. We took a small hike from the trailhead at the North Head Lighthouse; first we went past the old military installments. Was I singing inside of them because the acoustics in there are absolutely amazing? Yes, maybe I was. You would too! After that, we went back to the car and back up the other trail to the actual lighthouse. It was under renovation, but this hike also afforded some great cliff views and a nice, short walk. I probably could have spent the day here and explored a lot more hiking, views, photos, and chill time, but I'm glad for the time I had. Sometime in the future, I think I'll come back and pack a picnic. It will be one of those trips where you wander up the coast and just see what happens, only we'll do it exactly right, from sunup to sundown, and beyond. read more

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Very nice place. Easy to access, clean, with beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The parking was not all that great. Very difficult to find a parking spot if you get there late. The trails are very well maintained and a pleasure to hike. There is nothing that disappoints at this place so the name doesn't do justice read more

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Everyone must visit. So many paved trails to ride, skate or walk. We followed a. Trail to the beach from Bearded Hallow Bridge. The rain forest was beautiful. We also, visited both Lighthouses, the North was really nice and close to parking lot. Just a nice little walk. Cape Disappointment Lighthouse was a serious hike. You need good shoes and no sandals. Expect a variety of terrain to move through. And it was not paved. Not a handicap trail. But the different views we saw were spectacular. If you can walk, go see it. read more

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Finally was able to book a site at the campground was definitely worth the wait. If you have T-Mobile service is very spotty, we only had service going back to town. Its nice to unwind and enjoy nature. The local store was extremely friendly and has last minute items. The park is well kept and bathrooms are cleaned daily. read more

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I camped here for the first time on 7/19 and was pleasantly surprised. For starters, I was able to reserve a spot same-day I arrived! I spoke to Jim over the phone and he was super friendly. He gave me his opinion about the spots they had left so that I could enjoy my stay and I was super happy with where I ended up. Some of the camp sites sit right on the lake and that's where I was. There wasn't much privacy as the there aren't any trees or bushes in-between some of the sites, but also you're at a public campground so privacy is out of the question a lot of the time. Besides, there is a lot of space between some of the camp sites and I had really friendly neighbors. I arrived when it was super windy and this couple helped me set up my tent since I probably wouldn't have been able to do it myself in that wind. As the evening progressed, I found that the other campers were respectful of quiet hours and it was overall a great first experience camping there. If you're ever in the area you have to visit the North Head lighthouse! They offer tours that cost $3 and they run every fifteen minutes. You get to walk up the lighthouse and a volunteer hangs out to give you a brief run down and answer any questions you may have about the historical site. read more

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Wowsers! (insert obligatory, "This place is anything BUT dissapointing!") Enormous, positively gorgeous park with stunning views and a little bit for everyone: -You want to walk or relax on the beach and listen to the ocean waves?CHECK -How about view the gorgeous scenery & ocean below from atop some cliffs? CHECK -You want to walk in the woods among the giant trees & wildlife? CHECK -Visit a couple historic lighthouses? CHECK & CHECK -See other places with historical/wartime significance? CHECK -Learn more about the Lewis & Clark Expedition in a well-maintained interpretive center? CHECK -Pick up some souvenirs in a gift shop? CHECK -Go camping? CHECK We visited in mid-November and it was perfect! Not too cold (actually in the 50's), not raining yet, and there really weren't many people there since it is off-peak season. The paths were all well-maintained and they have many different trail options in varying lengths, terrain & difficulty. Some of the forest trails are more rugged than others. They also have bathroom facilities at each of the major parking lots, though for some reason they do not mark/indicate restrooms on their park maps, at least none that I saw. There is also a nice restroom in the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. Yes, you do have to pay to get in to this state park ($10 for the day). Do yourself a favor, though, and spring for the $30 annual Discover Pass so you can visit all the WA State Parks to your heart's content for a year. The money goes to help maintain these lovely places & it is worth every penny each year because there is so much to explore! And this park alone is definitely worthy of multiple trips throughout the year. I believe you can even rent out the furnished historic house within the park for overnight stays (check their website for more info). There are some nice little seaside towns in the area to check out as well. read more

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Definitely worth the stop, please wear your walking shoes beautiful views from the cove and lighthouse. read more

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While in Long Beach my wife and I had to visit Cape Disappointment since she loves lighthouses. Cape Disappointment requires a Discover Pass. Day passes can be purchased on site if one doesn't hold the yearly pass. Rangers were out in full-force ticketing like crazy so do yourself a favor and buy the day pass. The North Head Lighthouse is accessed via a paved road which makes it easy for all fitness levels as well as those in a wheelchair. The second lighthouse is more challenging and not accessible for those in wheelchairs. The park is well maintained with clean privy's. Parking is ample. The Pacific Ocean creates strong winds so dress accordingly. Overall, if in Long Beach, one should take the time to view and admire this piece of history. As always, if you pack it in, be sure to pack it out. read more

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Cape Disappointment is an extremely beautiful place and a breath of fresh air. The light house is amazing and the views are something you will always remember. Add this place to your bucket list. read more

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What a beautiful place to visit! From the parking lot, it's only a short walk to the overlook. I came on a cloudy day, so the lighthouse was majestic, in a haunting way. The beach views are stunning, and there are several trails that you can take to explore the rest of the peninsula. To the left, you can go down to the beach. Towards the right, you can take a closer look at the lighthouse, as well as a gift shop a bit farther up the trail. Overall, a must stop! read more

Cape Disappointment State Park - Parks Near Me - Ilwaco, Washington

Had a great time at the camp ground- very clean. Camp hosts were around but not intrusive. Missing one star cuz there is *no* cell service. But then again - that can be nice too. read more

This is one of our favorite state parks to visit! Historic lighthouses, great ocean view, miles of trails (for all skill levels), and a huge camp ground! Put this one on your list! read more

Wondrous Place to Camp!! Like many State Parks this time of year, the campground was FULLY occupied (as it should be for this gem of a park & locale). The State Park is located in the very Southwest Corner of Washington, near the town of Ilwaco. The beach was lovely: DEFINITELY worth staying up to watch a Gorgeous ocean-view sunset!! The park is LOADED with excellent well-maintained trails, 2 lighthouses within 2 miles of each other, hidden coves, the North Jetty, and RICH RICH History! Lots of informative signs and markers about the areas 120-year-ish lighthouse history & Lewis & Clark Expedition History (for the nerdy history-loving Yelpers out there). Its also located just 16 minutes from Astoria, Oregon (I recommend checking out the River Walk & the Astoria Column). 30ish minutes from Seaside & Cannon Beach. Overall score: 5.0 / 5.0 read more

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This Discover pass is a scam. They can ticket you without issuing a physical ticket and send you a $100 bill in the mail from the court as a first warning. Total scam. And this is just to park your car, whether you use the actual park or not. That's some expensive parking down here , NYC prices! read more

Waikiki Beach is one of my favorite spots on the Peninsula. A short walk from the campsite, it has a nice boardwalk for easy access. I love driftwood and this beach has tons! I went on during a summer weekend and there were a lot of teepees and structures built out of driftwood...so neat! Campsites were average. I scored a first come first serve spot along the lake ($25/night) and there was no privacy and little shade. I recommend the sites away from the lake (186-ish)...a lot more privacy! The bathrooms were kept clean during my visits. I also visited the north head lighthouse (currently under construction) and viewpoint and liked how it was a short out-and-back hike on an easily walkable trail. read more

Cape Disappointment State Park - Driftwood paradise at Waikiki Beach - Parks Near Me - Ilwaco, Washington

Lived in Washington most of my life and been by this park without stopping. Glad I finally found it. Nice little treasure of a place.

I would give 0 stars to this destination if I could. Cape Disappointment is a proper name now for what used to be a family day getaway. After parking and seeing that the parking kiosk was closed I had to drive down to the coast guard store and purchase a 10$ parking slip instead of 5$, which has been for many years. After I got back up to the parking lot and enter the trail I see that the trail is shut down after less than a 1/3 mile. There is no destination just barriers and a sign that says it's closed down. Nothing was posted or stated by the coast guard store or in the parking lot. No lighthouse, no cove, no beautiful hike. Just a waste of 10$. Truly disappointing. read more