Cape Disappointment State Park has many things to offer and is a great getaway on the Washington coast. It is located at the mouth of the huge Columbia River that spills into the Pacific Ocean, bounded by a protected inland bay on one side and the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean on the other side. A long jetty has created a vast area of trapped sand that now forms the majority of the most accessible land in the park, including the campground, store, and general facilities.

Exploring the park shows many things for many different tastes: two lighthouses, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, historical plaques, flat biking roads, casual forest hiking trails, and plenty of open sandy beach for beach fun. The campground is well situated for easy access to the beach, yet has some wind protection from trees. Restrooms, picnic facilities, and campground layout are all very good.

Cape Disappointment State Park is the kind of place where you can easily stay either a day or a week.

North Head Lighthouse view south over Cape Disappointment State Park

View from North Head Lighthouse looking south toward Columbia River and jetty



View looking north along Pacific Ocean coast from North Head Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment State Park

View north from North Head Lighthouse along Pacific Ocean coast



North Head Lighthouse trail in Cape Disappointment State Park

Trail to North Head Lighthouse



North Head Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment State Park

North Head Lighthouse



Bell's View Trail viewpoint in Cape Disappointment State Park

Bell’s View Trail viewpoint on foggy day



Cape Disappointment Coastal Forest Trail on rocks at Baker Bay beach

Baker Bay from Forest Coastal Trail



Cape Disappointment State Park Coastal Forest Trail viewpoint to Baker Bay

Shallow Baker Bay



Baker Bay Cape Disappointment State Park Columbia River kayaking

Kayaking Baker Bay



Kids climbing tree at Cape Disappointment State Park campground

The trees around the campground are perfect for climbing kids



Kids taking pictures with phones along Coastal Forest Trail in Cape Disappointment State Park

Kids taking pictures with their parents’ phones along Forest Coastal Trail



Links
Cape Disappointment State Park
Book: Cape Disappointment Light The First Lighthouse in the Pacific Northwest

Directions