At the mouth of Columbia River, this 2,023-acre park has two historic lighthouses, WWII bunkers, and 8 miles of trails through Sitka spruce forests where gray whales pass in spring.
Cape Disappointment State Park covers 2,023 acres where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean in southwestern Washington state. You can walk to the 200-foot cliffs to see waves crash against the rocks at Waikiki Beach, climb to two 19th-century lighthouses, or spot gray whales from clifftop viewpoints in spring. The park includes World War II bunkers, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, and miles of trails through Sitka spruce forests.
The park has 8 miles of hiking trails through old-growth forest and around freshwater lakes. On the Coastal Forest Loop Trail, you'll find interpretive signs explaining forest succession and local ecology as you walk through Sitka spruce forest. Waikiki Beach, sheltered by the North Jetty, has warmer waters than other Washington beaches and is suitable for swimming in summer. You can dig for clams and search for beach treasures at Benson Beach throughout the year.
From the park's clifftop viewpoints, you can watch gray whales migrate close to shore during spring. Bald eagles build nests in tall spruce trees throughout the park, with peak activity during spring nesting season. The Columbia River estuary attracts over 175 bird species, and you might spot deer, raccoons, and other mammals in the park's forests and saltwater marshes.
The Cape Disappointment Lighthouse (built 1856) sits on cliffs above the Columbia River Bar. You can tour the North Head Lighthouse from May to September and see panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Long Beach Peninsula. These lighthouses help ships navigate the dangerous waters locals call "the graveyard of the Pacific."
You'll find 152 standard sites, 83 utility sites, and five primitive spots for hikers and bikers in the campground. For a more comfortable stay, rent a heated yurt or cabin with basic furniture. The Cape "D" Store sells camping supplies and hot food from May through September, with limited weekend hours in spring and fall.
Enter the park between 6:30 AM and dusk daily. You need a Washington State Discover Pass ($10 daily or $30 annual). The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center charges separate admission and opens Wednesday through Sunday from November to March. Book campsites year-round through the state park system.
Fort Canby's concrete bunkers from the Civil War era remain in the park today. At the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, you can learn about the Corps of Discovery's 1805 arrival at the Pacific Ocean through interactive exhibits, timeline panels, historical artwork, and journal excerpts.
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