Cape Disappointment State Park

Cape Disappointment State Park is a Washington state park located at the mouth of the Columbia River on the southwestern tip of Washington State. The park preserves coastal headlands, historic lighthouse sites and recreational facilities near Ilwaco and the Long Beach Peninsula.

Key attractions include historic lighthouses, interpretive exhibits about regional maritime history and trails that lead to coastal viewpoints. Visitors use the park for hiking, camping, tidepooling and coastal observation.

The area has long been important for navigation at the Columbia’s entrance and later for recreation and historic preservation; the state park manages both natural and cultural resources.

The park sits on headlands overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River entrance, adjacent to coastal communities on the Long Beach Peninsula in southwestern Washington.

• Viewpoints and wildlife: The park provides cliff-top viewpoints over the mouth of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean; these are popular for storm watching and seasonal marine wildlife sightings.
• Facilities: Park facilities include day-use areas, picnic sites, campgrounds and a network of trails that range from short viewpoints to longer coastal routes.

What to See #

• Cape Disappointment Lighthouse: The original Cape Disappointment Lighthouse sits on the cliff edge and is interpreted for visitors; it overlooks the mouth of a major river and the Pacific Ocean.
• North Head Lighthouse: A second historic light and keeper's complex on the North Head area is also present and interpreted as part of the park's maritime history.
• Lewis and Clark interpretive center: A staffed interpretive center covers the Lewis and Clark expedition, local maritime history and regional marine environments, with exhibits and seasonal programming.