Lighthouses stand sentinel atop windswept cliffs, sea smells waft up through the air and waves collide with a crash where the Pacific Ocean meets the Columbia River below.
Named for Captain John Meares' first thwarted voyage to find the Columbia, Cape Disappointment is steeped in Northwest history. This is the place to explore U.S. military and maritime legacies and to experience the story of Lewis & Clark and the effect of their Corps of Discovery Expedition on Native American tribes.
Step into the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center for interactive exhibits. Find overgrown ruins of military bunkers and coast defense batteries, and hear tales of two lighthouses and the first attempts to reach the Columbia River by ocean.
Hike through old-growth forest or around freshwater lakes, saltwater marshes and ocean tidelands. Gape at the breathtaking views. Launch your boat from Baker Bay. Benson Beach is a popular clam-digging destination, and fishers love to set up on the North Jetty to catch salmon and crab. The beaches at Cape Disappointment also lure kite-fliers, sand-castle builders and those who love to walk and explore.
Don't be surprised if you leave Cape Disappointment intrigued by its complex and multi-faceted history and enchanted by its legends and its vistas. This park will fill your senses and occupy your mind, and you will long to return.
PARK FEATURES
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. The park offers yurts, cabins and unique historic vacation homes to meet travelers' diverse lodging needs.
ADA AMENITIES/FACILITIES
Campground
Hiking trail
Restroom
PICNIC & DAY-USE FACILITIES
The day-use area has 20 unsheltered picnic tables, available first come, first served.
ACTIVITIES
TRAILS
8 miles of hiking trails
WATER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
135 feet of dock
Boating
Boat ramp
Clamming
Crabbing
Fishing(freshwater/saltwater)
OTHER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
Amphitheater
Beach exploration
Bird watching
Concert series
Museum
BOATING FEATURES
Located in Pacific County on the Pacific Ocean, Cape Disappointment offers one boat ramp and 135 feet of dock are provided on Baker Bay in the Columbia River. Launching a boat at a state park requires one of the following:
An annual launch permit (Natural Investment Permit; or
An annual Discover Pass and a daily launch permit; or
A one-day Discover Pass and a daily launch permit.
CAMPSITE INFORMATION
Cape Disappointment has 137 standard campsites, 50 full-hookup sites, 18 partial-hookup sites with water and electricity, five primitive hiker/biker campsites first come first served, 14 yurts, three cabins, one dump station, eight restrooms (two ADA) and 14 showers (four ADA). Maximum site length is 45 feet (limited availability). Camping is available year round.
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time is 1 p.m.
