Is Cape Disappointment State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Cape Disappointment State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Cape Disappointment State Park before I book?

Yes! Cape Disappointment State Park has 11 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Cape Disappointment State Park?

Cape Disappointment State Park is open 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.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Cape Disappointment State Park?

Yes, Cape Disappointment State Park has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Cape Disappointment State Park?

Fire policies at Cape Disappointment State Park: Fires allowed only in designated fire pits and grills; propane and gas grills are allowed. Burn Ban - Level 1 posted (see active alerts).. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Cape Disappointment State Park have?

Cape Disappointment State Park has 233 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Cape Disappointment State Park?

Yes, pets are allowed at Cape Disappointment State Park. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Cape Disappointment State Park?

Cape Disappointment State Park offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Sewer Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Cape Disappointment State Park?

Popular activities at Cape Disappointment State Park include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Cape Disappointment State Park

4.42

137 reviews

244 Robert Gray Drive, Ilwaco, WA 98624

Top 3% in WASpring

Scenic Views

Featured in:RV Camping Washington Beach Camping Washington

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

154 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

233 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Full HookupsShowers

Book on Washington State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

154 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

233 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Full HookupsShowers

Book on Washington State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

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.

No paid fee categories listed.

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Provider

(360) 642-3078

I manage this campground

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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)

Weather at Cape Disappointment State Park

Best Time to Camp at Cape Disappointment State Park

Spring (March through May) offers the best balance: daytime highs roughly 50–60°F, chilly mornings, frequent coastal fog, and occasional rain. Whale migrations pass offshore from late winter into spring, shorebirds return, and coastal wildflowers bloom. Crowds stay lighter than summer but pick up in May. Summer weekends get crowded on sunny days. Coastal wind blows strong year-round, and rain showers pass through frequently. Weather changes without warning. The park opens daily from 6:30 a.m. to dusk.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.5 / 5

Top 3% in WA

Spring noted as the best balance: milder days, whale migrations and active interpretive programming.

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

Cape Disappointment State Park sits at the turbulent confluence of the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean on Washington's Long Beach Peninsula. The park holds 233 campsites across multiple areas (tent, RV, primitive, and cabins), but all camping facilities are closed for renovation until late spring 2026. Visitors still access the beaches, lighthouses, and Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center during daytime hours.

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

The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center anchors the park's educational offerings, along with Cape Disappointment and North Head lighthouses. WWII-era bunkers and fortifications remain visible on the grounds. Exhibits cover regional maritime history and the Corps of Discovery's arrival at the Pacific.

Weather and SeasonsSpring (March through May) offers the best balance: daytime highs roughly 50–60°F, chilly mornings, frequent coastal fog, and occasional rain. Whale migrations pass offshore from late winter into spring, shorebirds return, and coastal wildflowers bloom. Crowds stay lighter than summer but pick up in May. Summer weekends get crowded on sunny days. Coastal wind blows strong year-round, and rain showers pass through frequently. Weather changes without warning. The park opens daily from 6:30 a.m. to dusk.

Natural Features and SceneryThe coastline here is where river meets ocean in a collision of currents and waves. Miles of wide sandy beach stretch beneath rocky headlands, backed by coastal rainforest of shore pine and spruce. Freshwater lakes and salt marshes sit inland from the shore. Two historic lighthouses overlook Baker Bay from the cliffs. The jetty extends into the surf, and trails wind through the forest to overlooks above the river mouth. Elevation sits around 154 feet above sea level, though the terrain drops to the beach.

Geological RegionSouthwest tip of Washington on the Long Beach Peninsula where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean

Scenic ViewsSweeping Pacific Ocean and Columbia River mouth views, vistas of the North Head Lighthouse and North Jetty, and coastal headland and beach panoramas.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsGoingToCamp (washington.goingtocamp.com)

Total Campsites233 campsites

Best CampsitesThe main paved campground loops beat the primitive Lake O'Neil area. Main-loop sites are larger, mostly level back-ins with better separation and easier beach access. Lake O'Neil has little privacy and poorly defined sites. Book months ahead for summer. The park fills fast.

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Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Park offers modern restrooms and showers, drinking water, a campground store that sells firewood, trailer dump/pumpout facilities, trash and recycling, boat launch and dock facilities, and accessible features (restrooms, campsites, ADA buildings). Fires are allowed only in designated fire pits and grills.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Sewer hookups

Flush toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

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

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

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.

Trip Planning Tools

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

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.4

137 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 137 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 137 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 137 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 137 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 137 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Day-trippers and spring visitors planning ahead for 2026 will find the best version of this place: whale migrations offshore, lighter crowds than summer, and the North Head Lighthouse trail as a short but rewarding hike above the river mouth.

Skip if

Campers booking for anytime before late spring 2026 need to look elsewhere entirely. Beyond the closure, Lake O'Neil primitive sites disappoint regulars with zero privacy and undefined boundaries, cell service is essentially gone throughout the park, and several reviewers flagged

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Cape Disappointment State Park

B+

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 76% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 112 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. A means campers loved it, not that it beat other campgrounds. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade A+.Scenery
Grade A+.Things to do
Grade A-.Campsites

Watch-outs

Grade D.Bugs & weather
Grade C.Safety
Grade C.Booking

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Grades are absolute - from what campers wrote, on a fixed scale. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

See how Washington grades overall