Dead Man’s Cove Washington (also spelled as Deadman’s Cove) in Cape Disappointment State Park, Washington is a spectacularly unique beach surrounded by steep rocky walls.
This special cove feels like the set of a movie. As a result, it is so fun to discover it for yourself, and definitely worth a visit (in our humble opinion).
What adds to the allure is the fact that this beach was closed for years (since 2001) before reopening for public access in 2022.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting Dead Man’s Cove, including how to get there, what to expect, and our personal tips.
So pack your sense of adventure and let’s jump into it!
Dead Man’s Cove: At a Glance
- Small but unique beach located in Cape Disappointment State Park
- 0.5 miles total distance from the parking lot
- $10 day use fee required to enter the state park (no overnight use allowed)
- The trail can be muddy, and is steep in one part
- Lots of other things to see nearby
Dead Man’s Cove: Overview
Dead Man’s Cove is a small but unique beach that is known for its intimate yet beautiful setting.
Location
This cove is located within the rocky outcropping that is Cape Disappointment State Park.
Cape Disappointment is the southernmost state park on the Washington coast, and is situated at the mouth of the mighty Columbia River.
Within the park, the cove is located in between the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.
Dead Man’s Cove Map
Use the interactive map below to get your bearings. You can also expand it to open in a new window.
Cape Disappointment is fairly isolated from major cities. You can see the typical travel times to Dead Man’s Cove in the table below.
| Coming From | Typical Drive Time |
| Seattle | 4 hours |
| Olympia | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Portland | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Astoria | 30 minutes |
It’s Just a Cove: What’s the Big Deal?
If not the smallest, Dead Man’s Cove has to be one of the smallest beaches in Washington. In fact, it is less than 350 feet long.
The real draw to Dead Man’s Cove is the intimate setting and the feeling you get when you discover it for the first time!
There are lots of long stretches of beaches along the Pacific Northwest, both only a handful of small beaches that you can access safely.
Our Thoughts on Dead Man’s Cove
Dead Man’s Cove is just one part of the beautiful Cape Disappointment State Park, but we think it’s one of the coolest things to see there for a few reasons.
First, this intimate cove is a unique feature of the Washington coastline: there just aren’t many beaches that are this small and surrounded by steep rocky hills.
Second, it has been closed since 2001 and only just reopened in 2022!
In our opinion, Dead Man’s Cove is certainly worth a visit, especially if you are spending more time in Cape Disappointment.
Keep reading to learn how to get there and more tips for planning your visit.
How to Get to Dead Man’s Cove
- Park at the parking lot by the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Keep in mind there is a $10 day use fee to enter Cape Disappointment State Park
- Follow the trail (there is clear signage) ¼ of a mile to the cove.
- Walk down to the actual beach. The last few steps to get down to the beach can be steep and slippery when wet.
- Enjoy exploring Dead Man’s Cove.
- Continue along the trail towards the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse to get more views of the cove.
Tips for Planning Your Visit
We’ve visited Dead Man’s Cove and Cape Disappointment several times, and we have a few tips to help you make the most of your visit.
Plan for bad weather and muddy trails: The climate at Cape Disappointment can be windy and rainy, even in the summer. It’s best to prepare for bad weather and wear shoes that can get muddy.
Take your camera: The uniqueness of Dead Man’s Cove makes it ideal for photography.
Fancy a sunset? Consider visiting during sunset, especially on a clear day. Golden hour at this cove can be incredible. Remember that no overnight use is allowed.
Don’t miss other things to see in Cape Disappointment State Park. There are tons of other cool things to see nearby. We recommend hiking to the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, seeing the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, and visiting the North Head Lighthouse.
Things to do Near Dead Man’s Cove
As previously mentioned, there are lots of cool things to see in Cape Disappointment State Park.
In fact, we recommend spending at least one full day exploring this park.
Beyond the state park, you can explore the towns of Ilwaco or Long Beach, and discover other things that the Long Beach Peninsula has to offer.
Also, we love the campground at Cape Disappointment State Park. If you’re wanting to camp, this is the campground to be at! They also have yurts.
Conclusion
Hopefully you feel ready to explore Dead Man’s Cove for yourself! Remember to respect this area and leave no trace to preserve it for future visitors.
If you are interested in learning more about things to do nearby, check out our other articles about the Washington Coast.
We also have individual articles for Cape Disappointment and Long Beach as well. Happy adventuring!
