Cape Disappointment State Park

Star4.31
93 reviews
244 Robert Gray Drive, Ilwaco, WA 98624

Quick Facts

Price

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Booking

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Sites

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Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Allowed

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Washington State Parks site

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Cape Disappointment State Park
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Discover Pass: Annual $45, One-day $10. Watercraft launch fee: $7 per day. Trailer dump fee: $5 per use.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Going To Camp
Provider
(360) 642-3078

What Campers Say

4.31

Recommended

Based on 93 reviews

5399 Google reviews

Most mentioned

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"Visitors consistently praise the park's dramatic coastal scenery, wide sandy beaches, lighthouse viewpoints, well-maintained restrooms/showers, and strong interpretive offerings (Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center). The main campground loops receive high marks for site size, layout and proximity to the beach. Common negatives include variable/windy weather, crowded sunny summer weekends, poor cell service, and the more exposed primitive Lake O'Neil sites."

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Best Time to Camp at Cape Disappointment State Park

The weather here keeps things interesting—coastal fog can roll in without warning, winds whip across the headlands, and rain showers pass through like old friends. Come prepared for anything, and you'll be rewarded with the authentic coastal experience that makes this place unforgettable. The park welcomes visitors year-round from 6:30 a.m. to dusk, with each season painting the landscape in different moods.

Best
Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: Park open year-round for day use (hours posted 6:30 a.m. to dusk). All camping at Cape Disappointment is closed entirely until late spring 2026 for major renovations.

About Cape Disappointment State Park

Where the mighty Columbia River crashes into the Pacific Ocean, Cape Disappointment State Park sprawls across 2,000 spectacular acres of wild coastline. This beloved destination showcases everything from windswept beaches and coastal rainforest to freshwater lakes and the renowned Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center—though campers should note that all camping facilities are closed for exciting renovations until late spring 2026.
Park contains a developed main campground suitable for tents and RVs, a more primitive Lake O'Neil area, and additional lodging options such as yurts and historic vacation homes.
Historical SignificanceHome to the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and near both Cape Disappointment and North Head lighthouses, the park includes interpretive and historic features (including WWII-era bunkers/fortifications referenced in visitor materials) and offers educational exhibits on regional maritime and exploration history.
Weather and SeasonsThe weather here keeps things interesting—coastal fog can roll in without warning, winds whip across the headlands, and rain showers pass through like old friends. Come prepared for anything, and you'll be rewarded with the authentic coastal experience that makes this place unforgettable. The park welcomes visitors year-round from 6:30 a.m. to dusk, with each season painting the landscape in different moods.
Natural Features and SceneryStand at the dramatic meeting point of river and ocean, where two worlds collide in a stunning display of natural forces. Miles of sandy beaches stretch beneath rocky headlands, while coastal trails wind through dense forests of shore pine and lead you past tranquil freshwater lakes and salt marshes teeming with life. Two historic lighthouses stand sentinel over Baker Bay, and whether you're exploring the jetty, walking the extensive shoreline, or pausing at scenic overlooks above the turbulent river mouth, every vista tells a story of the raw power and beauty of the Pacific Northwest coast.
Geological RegionSouthwest tip of Washington on the Long Beach Peninsula where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean
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Campsite details

Total Campsitesnull campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Open and Closed SeasonPark open year-round for day use (hours posted 6:30 a.m. to dusk). All camping at Cape Disappointment is closed entirely until late spring 2026 for major renovations.
Reservation PlatformsGoingToCamp (washington.goingtocamp.com)

Accomodation available

Cabin lodgingCabin lodging is available for campers seeking a more sheltered and comfortable experience. These enclosed accommodations offer protection from the elements and are ideal for those who prefer not to camp in tents.

Amenities available

Showers
Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Dump station
Flush toilets
Electricity hookups
Water hookups
Sewer hookups

Activities you can enjoy

Wide range of coastal and inland activities including beach access, hiking, boating, birding, fishing and interpretive/historical sites (lighthouses and Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center). Several water-related activities (boat ramp, dock, crabbing, shellfishing) are available; swimming in the ocean is not advised.
Hiking
Extensive trail network links campground to beaches, viewpoints and both lighthouses; trails range from short steep climbs to longer forest walks.
Fishing
Fishing is noted near the jetty and along the coast; park has jetty and river access points.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are allowed
  • Fires allowed only in designated fire pits and grills; propane and gas grills are allowed. Burn Ban - Level 1 posted (see active alerts).

Hazards

General hazardsBeach and coastal hazards: swimming on the Long Beach Peninsula is not advised; Washington coastal parks are dynamic and potentially dangerous (strong surf, rip currents, steep informal access in some places). Variable wind, fog and weather can create hazardous conditions.

Weather at Cape Disappointment State Park

51
°F
Dec 14
Sunday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 90%
Wind: 14 mph
Overcast

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Good to know

Common complaintsCommon complaints include strong coastal wind and variable weather, limited or no cell/internet reception in the campground, crowding on sunny days and summer weekends, mosquitoes in sheltered areas, and that the Lake O'Neil primitive area has little privacy or defined sites.

Campground Map

244 Robert Gray Drive, Ilwaco, WA 98624
Nearby supplies
Ilwaco and other communities on the Long Beach Peninsula (local supplies and services)

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.3
93 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Cape Disappointment State Park is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
Visitors consistently praise the park's dramatic coastal scenery, wide sandy beaches, lighthouse viewpoints, well-maintained restrooms/showers, and strong interpretive offerings (Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center). The main campground loops receive high marks for site size, layout and proximity to the beach. Common negatives include variable/windy weather, crowded sunny summer weekends, poor cell service, and the more exposed primitive Lake O'Neil sites.
Review Summaries
Based on 93 reviews

What Campers Love

Frequent highlights are the beach access and views of the Columbia River mouth, two lighthouses with short hikes and tours, clean modern bathrooms and showers, helpful rangers/volunteers, a stocked...
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Based on 93 reviews

Common Concerns

Some visitors criticize the **primitive Lake O’Neil camping area** for being an open grassy field with little privacy and indistinct site boundaries, leading to a lower-quality experience compared...
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Based on 93 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Book well in advance (popular in summer and can fill months out), bring warm layers and rain gear, bring bug spray, secure food from raccoons and crows, consider buying firewood at the campground...
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Based on 93 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Cape Disappointment did not disappoint!"; "The campground bathrooms were impressive - PRIVATE individual rooms with full locking doors for the toilets and showers."; "I think my favorite thing is...
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Based on 93 reviews

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Last updated December 14, 2025
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