Cape Disappointment State Park

4.31

93 reviews

244 Robert Gray Drive, Ilwaco, WA 98624

Featured in:RV Camping Washington Beach Camping Washington

Quick Facts

154 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

233 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Washington State Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

March 2026

Quick Facts

154 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

233 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Washington State Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

March 2026

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

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Going To Camp

Provider

(360) 642-3078

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What Campers Say

4.31

Recommended

Based on 93 reviews

5399 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanshowersbeach

Some mention

mosquitoes

"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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Campground Map

244 Robert Gray Drive, Ilwaco, WA 98624

Cape Disappointment State Park

244 Robert Gray Drive, Ilwaco, WA 98624

Nearby supplies

Ilwaco and other communities on the Long Beach Peninsula (local supplies and services)

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)

4.0 / 5

Top 23% in WA

Spring brings migrating birds, wild coastal growth and reopening activities; variable weather.

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 Significance

Home 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

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

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

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBeach 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.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Cape Disappointment State Park

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.3

93 reviews

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...

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...

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...

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...

Based on 93 reviews

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Last updated March 8, 2026

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