Cape Disappointment

Cape Disappointment State Park

Cape Disappointment State Park is located on the Long Beach Peninsula in WA, at the mouth of the Columbia River. 

It's best known as the area where the famous “Lewis and Clark” expedition of 1804-06 finally reached the Pacific Ocean, commissioned by President Jefferson to explore the western frontier of the United States.   It's also the location where British fur trader John Muir missed the entrance to the Columbia River during a winter storm in 1788, thus earning the name “Cape Disappointment”

Cape Disappointment State Park features some of Washington State’s most dramatic coastal scenery; and includes two lighthouses, spectacular cliffs, and meadows full of native plants such as reedgrass, sword fern and salmonberry. 

Top 7 things to do at Cape Disappointment

1. The North Head Lighthouse is an easy 10-minute walk from the parking lot, and on a clear day has views along Benson Beach to the Columbia River and down the Oregon Coastline.  The clifftop views of Benson Beach are amongst some of the most spectacular in Washington State. The North Head Lighthouse was completed in 1898, to warn mariners approaching from the north of the treacherous waters at the entrance of the Columbia River.  The lighthouse viewpoint also provides superb views of the North and South jetties, built in the early 1800’s to provide safe harbor for ships entering the Columbia River.  These rubble stone jetties successfully leveled out the dangerous sand bars, creating a safer passage for ships. There are also two lighthouse keeper’s houses available as vacation rentals.
2. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is a 5-minute walk from the same parking lot used to access the trail to the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.  Both the lighthouse and interpretive center can be combined in one stop.  A small fee is required to enter the Interpretative Center, and once inside visitors can see a detailed account of the Lewis and Clark 1803 to 1806 expedition.  The overlook outside the interpretive center provides a great vantage point for photos of the nearby Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.  When visiting the overlook, be certain to look down and observe the nesting cormorants below. 
3. Fort Canby is located at the base of the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, and was built by the US Army in the mid 19^th century to protect the entrance to the Columbia River.  Troops manned Fort Canby until the end of WWII.  Spend some time exploring the well preserved tunnels and bunkers at Fort Canby.
4. The Cape Disappointment Lighthouse is just 2 miles southeast of the North Head Lighthouse, and is the oldest lighthouse on the northwest coast of the United States.  It’s a 25-minute walk from the parking lot through lush coastal forest and past the US Coast Guard Station to the lighthouse.  This US Coast Guard Station responds to 300-400 distress calls every year, mainly during the months of June to September from recreational boaters.
5. Dead Mans Cove is an unexpected surprise just before you reach the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.  The short path down to the cove is very challenging, but definitely worth the effort.  This log-strewn cove is a place for quiet reflection, with calmer waters offering a brief respite from the wild beaches of the Pacific Ocean.  There is an unusual rocky outcrop in the center of the cove, adding to the dramatic beauty of this enchanting cove.
6. North Jetty is accessed by taking the turn-off  to North Jetty Road near the General Store.  The first parking lot on North Jetty Road provides superb views across the water to Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.  The head of the jetty also provides access to the calmer waters of Waikiki Beach. If you continue to drive along North Jetty Road to the next parking lot at Benson Beach, you will be uniquely positioned to observe both lighthouses, and get a better sense of the overall layout of Cape Disappointment.  The North Jetty is a study in contrasts; from the calmer waters on its southern side, to the turbulent waves on its northern side.  You will be transfixed by the sheer force and scale of some of the breaking waves on the northern side.  On a colder day the scene is almost surreal as the waves and currents collide with each other.  Always exercise extreme caution when visiting this area.
7. Beards Hollow is another beach worth exploring, and offers a pristine walk through well preserved wetlands.  Beards Hollows was named after a ship captain who met an unfortunate end after his ship sunk in this area.  Beards Hollow offers superb photo opportunities with sheer cliffs and dramatic rock formations.

Cape Disappointment camping, hotels, lodging

Camping is also available at Cape Disappointment State Park.  You might also consider booking some accommodation at nearby Long Beach or Astoria:

• Long Beach, WA
• Astoria, Oregon

Things to do near Cape Disappointment

• Long Beach – 5 miles north
• Fort Columbia – 11 miles east
• Oysterville – 20 miles north

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