ADDRESS
244 Robert Gray Dr.
Ilwaco, WA 98624
HOURS
Open Year Round
6:30 a.m. - dusk
CONTACT
(360) 642-3078
Cape Disappointment State Park
AMENITIES
Camping, Picnic Facilities, Restrooms, Trails, Visitor Center, Wheelchair Accessible
Cape Disappointment earned its name in 1788 when British Captain John Meares mis-identified the river as a bay. Being in complete disappointment for not finding a river he named the Cape exactly that, Cape Disappointment.
Cape Disappointment State Park is located on the Southwestern tip of Washington State where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. Come enjoy the dramatic scenery, from atop steep basalt cliffs, the beautiful long stretches of sandy beaches, and the impressive wind-blown forests.
Amenities available within Cape Disappointment State Park include restrooms, showers, camping, yurt or cabin rentals, hiking trails, a boat launch, and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. A Discover Pass is required to park in Washington State Parks.
WHERE THE WHALES ARE
Look for whales from the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the North Head Lighthouse overlook, or try your luck along Benson Beach. Be sure to bring binoculars to help spot wales from the these marine mammals from the shoreline. The mouth of the Columbia offers foraging opportunities for many marine species.
