Cape Disappointment State Park, also known as Cape Disappointment Washington, is a rugged section of the Washington coastline that is full of gems to discover.
In fact, Cape Disappointment Washington State offers a diversity of things to explore: lush forests, two unique lighthouses, historical military structures, numerous hiking trails, several beaches, accessible viewpoints, and a campground.
This natural playground is great for any type of explorer, whether you want to hike for miles or drive to the main viewpoints!
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Cape Disappointment State Park! We have visited this lovely place many times before and are excited to share our knowledge with you.
Cape Disappointment State Park: Overview
The diversity of activities available at Cape Disappointment State Park are excellent for any exploration style. From easily accessible viewpoints to cliffside trails, anyone can enjoy the park’s offerings.
Families will find Waikiki Beach to be easy to access and ideal to set up for the day. There are also great trails and other fun things to do with kids.
In this article, we’ll start with a map to get your bearings and then jump into the lighthouses, military structures, hikes, beaches, and campgrounds.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to make the most of your time at Cape Disappointment State Park.
Cape Disappointment State Park Video
We made this video during our visit to Cape Disappointment in December 2023! Can you believe how sunny it was?
Cape Disappointment State Park: At a Glance
- Park hours: Day use only. 6:30 am to dusk year round.
- Permit required: Visitors must purchase a Discover Pass.
- Parking: Usually lots of space but can fill up on summer weekends. No RVs at the North Head, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and Beards Hollow parking lots.
- Hiking Trails: 7 miles of trails and more outside the park.
- Campground: Tents, full hookup, yurts, and cabins.
- Views: Two lighthouses and other great viewpoints.
- Lighthouses: Cape Disappointment Lighthouse (built 1856) and North Head Lighthouse Washington (built 1898).
- Education: Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.
- Military Structures: Gun batteries from the Civil War and WWII eras.
Cape Disappointment Map
Use the interactive map below to get your bearings of Cape Disappointment State Park. You can also expand it in a new window.
Cape Disappointment Itineraries: Our Recommendations
We have visited Cape Disappointment Washington many times and are quite familiar with the park. In our opinion, these itineraries are a great way to make the most of your time at Cape Disappointment WA if you have only a half or a full day.
If you only have a half day, choose two of the activities in the table below. For a full day, choose 3-4 activities, depending on your style.
| Activity | Description |
| Explore North Head Lighthouse Washington | The lighthouse is a short walk from the parking lot with other historical buildings on the way. Take in the expansive views to the north and south. Optionally hike Bell’s View Trail to Bell’s Viewpoint and a WWII battery. |
| Discover the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center | Learn about Lewis and Clark’s expedition and Cape Disappointment itself. Absorb the incredible views from the observation deck. Walk inside a military battery. |
| Hike to the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse | Park at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Hike 1.2 miles round-trip to the lighthouse, passing the illusive Dead Man’s Cove below. |
| Explore Beard’s Hollow | Park at the parking lot or drive on the beach. Explore the marshlands on the north end of the park and the impressive rocky cliffs. Overall, this is a unique landscape worth checking out. |
| Hang out at Waikiki Beach | Set up a blanket on the beautiful Waikiki Beach. There is lots of driftwood for building forts and a viewpoint you can scramble to. In the winter, you can watch the big waves crash against the rocks. |
Cape Disappointment Lighthouse and History
There is a rich history of Cape Disappointment that is worth learning as it will improve your experience when you visit!
Of course, indigenous peoples of the Chinook Tribe were the original inhabitants of this area. The cape was initially mapped by a Spanish explorer in 1775, but was named Cape Disappointment in 1788 by an English captain who was unable to find the mouth of the Columbia River.
In 1805, Lewis and Clark reached the Pacific Ocean at Cape Disappointment in Washington after 18 months of travel.
About 50 years later, in 1856, the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse was constructed and today it is the oldest operating lighthouse in the Pacific Northwest.
A military camp was established during the Civil War in 1862 and some of the resulting structures can be seen today. Eventually becoming Fort Canby in 1875, the military installation was active until the end of World War 2.
A second lighthouse, called North Head Lighthouse, was constructed closer to the mouth of the Columbia River in 1898 due to the poor visibility in the area.
The Army Corps of Engineers arrived in 1912 to construct the North Jetty, which helped ships navigate into the Columbia River, which still is a major shipping route today.
In 1938 Washington State Parks purchased the first piece of land that would become the state park as we know it today.
Cape Disappointment Hiking
There are lots of hiking trails at Cape Disappointment State Park. From real thigh burners to gentle strolls, every hiking style is accommodated by Cape Disappointment Trails. Let’s learn more about Cape Disappointment State Park hiking.
| Trail | Length | Description |
| Cape Disappointment Trail | 1.2 miles | Park at Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Round the illusive Dead Man’s Cove. End at Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. Start from Waikiki Beach for a longer hike. |
| Discovery Trail | 9 miles | A paved path that goes from Ilwaco to Long Beach passes through the state park. Great for biking! |
| North Head Trail | 1.5 miles | A moderately challenging forested trail that connects the North Head Lighthouse parking lot to the McKenzie Head parking lot. |
| Benson Beach Trail | 0.45 miles | A short and flat hike to Benson Beach, which is relatively less popular than other hikes in the park. A great way to see North Head Lighthouse from below on Benson Beach. |
| Coastal Forest Trail | 1.5 miles | An easy forested loop with impressive old growth Spruce trees. Mostly forested but still some great views of Baker Bay. |
| McKenzie Head Trail | 0.25 miles | A short but somewhat steep hike with rewarding views and military battery. A worthwhile stop with its own parking area. |
As you can see, there are lots of options for Cape Disappointment State Park trails. In fact, you really can’t go wrong! However, you do want to be prepared when you go.
Our Tips for Cape Disappointment Hiking:
- Expect wind, rain, and muddy trails!
- Be prepared for all types of weather as forecasts are often wrong.
- Be aware of falling tree limbs during high wind.
- Stay on trails to avoid contributing to erosion.
- Footing may be slippery when the trails are wet.
- Don’t skip the military batteries if you come across one!
Cape Disappointment State Park Camping
Cape Disappointment camping comes in many forms! The official Cape Disappointment State Park Campground offers various types of tent and RV sites, in addition to heated yurts and cabins.
This campground is relatively large, with 230 sites in total. As you can see in the image below, the campsites are arranged in small circles, which seem to make them more private.
In addition and unlike some campgrounds, there is typically a lot of foliage in between sites, which makes for a more immersive camping experience! Getting close to nature is one of the many things we like about Cape Disappointment Washington camping.
Did we mention that the beach (called Benson Beach) is right next to the campground! If that wasn’t good enough, Benson Beach is out of the way for people not staying at the campground. As a result, it is certainly less crowded than most of the Long Beach Peninsula.
Overall Cape Disappointment State Park Camping is amazing! Can you tell we are big fans? In fact, this is one of our favorite campgrounds we have ever visited.
Local Tip: We particularly enjoy sites 121 – 180 on the northernmost loop. This loop feels the most “tucked in” to the rugged cliffs of North Head and is just a great spot overall. That said, you can’t go wrong with Cape Disappointment camping.
Conclusion
Overall, Cape Disappointment State Park Washington is a five star state park. This rugged, wind-battered natural area has a rich history, with so many cultural and natural elements to explore. As always, please leave no trace and help preserve this special place for future visitors.
If you’re in the area, you may consider visiting Long Beach Washington just a few minutes north on the Long Beach Peninsula. If you’re curious to learn more, check out our full article about the town of Long Beach.
You may also be interested in our other articles about the Washington Coast and the Oregon Coast as well. Happy adventuring!
