Cape Disappointment State Park RV & Campground Guide
Washington
- Home
- State Parks
- Washington
- Cape Disappointment State Park
Cape Disappointment State Park offers visitors over 2,000 acres of remote Washington state coastline to explore. Take in the awe-inspiring views of the Pacific Ocean from windswept cliffs along the cape. Boaters can set sail in Baker Bay, and anglers can fish for salmon or crabs on the beach or from the North Jetty. Fly a kite or play in the sand of one of the cape's beaches. Historians can visit the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, explore historic military ruins or visit one of the local lighthouses. Nature lovers will enjoy a hike on the eight miles of trails that pass through old-growth forests, around freshwater lakes and saltwater marshes.
Nearby Cities:
Ilwaco, WA
Long Beach, WA
Astoria, OR
Warrenton, OR
Spring 43-56 F
Summer 52-64 F
Fall 46-60 F
Winter 42-48 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Cape Disappointment State Park
Campground Accommodations
Cape Disappointment RV Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electric hookups: Yes
Sewer Hookups: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes.
Max RV length: 45 feet
Other amenities: RV dump station, restrooms, showers, picnic area, boat ramp, park store, trash collection
Cape Disappointment Hiker/Biker Primitive Campground
Water hookup: No
Electric hookups: No
Sewer Hookups: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes.
Max RV length: N/A
Other amenities: Access to picnic area and restrooms
Cape Disappointment State Park Campground
Reserve your site well in advance at Cape Disappointment State Park Campground; this lovely campground gives you the best access to everything the park has to offer. Enjoy all of the features of your RV by booking one of the 50 full-hookup sites, or choose one of the 18 sites with water and electricity. When those are full, there are plenty of primitive sites available. Be sure to check the site length when you book as some have a limited length. The biggest sites in the park accommodate 45-foot rigs. The campground offers a camp store with firewood and a selection of essentials, and your site offers access to the bathrooms and showers. If you want a snack, just call the park cafe and order a meal for delivery right to your site. Rates for full-hookup sites start at $40 per night in the peak season and $35 per night for the rest of the year.
Eagles Nest Resort
Located a quick drive from Cape Disappointment, Eagles Nest Resort offers full hookups and plenty of amenities. Kids love the indoor pool, game room, and playgrounds while parents can appreciate the laundry room, hot tub, and hot showers. The camp store offers everything you need, including propane. This campground sits high on a ridge, so you can sip your coffee with stunning views of the ocean and forests.
Sand Castle RV Park
If you're interested in camping near the beach, Sand Castle RV Park is a convenient choice. It's a small park, offering just 38 full-hookup sites. The beach is right across the road, so you don't need to worry about parking. Your site comes with free Wi-Fi and cable, and there's a laundromat inside the park. Rates start at $36 per night.
What to Do at
Cape Disappointment State Park
Nature lovers can explore the beaches and practice their hand at seaside activities. Clamming, crabbing and fishing are popular oceanside experiences. Set out to sea at the park's boat ramp or from the 135-foot dock. History buffs can tour the lighthouse and museum that are located on the park grounds. Hike one of the park's eight miles of trails, and do some bird-watching in the old-growth forest or around one of the freshwater lakes.
Water-related activities abound in the park. Water is involved whether you are marveling at breathtaking views of the ocean, visiting a lighthouse or dropping a line in one of the freshwater lakes. When hiking, the ocean or local lakes are almost always part of the scenery.
Inside Cape Disappointment State Park
Cape Disappointment State Park covers more than 2,000 acres of the Long Beach Peninsula. The best way to explore the forests, beaches, and cliffs is on foot; the park offers eight miles of hiking trails. The excellent Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center explains the history of the legendary explorers. For the best views in the park, put on a pair of sturdy shoes and head over to the North Head Lighthouse to climb the tower. On the eastern side of the park's peninsula, you'll find a boat launch and a long dock that's perfect for fishing; however, park officials do not recommend swimming because of the strong currents and waves.
Fishing
Try your hand at landing a silver salmon or chinook from the jetty or shore in the park. Boaters can launch from the park boat ramp and drop their line in the Pacific Ocean or the estuary where the Columbia River empties into the sea. Those who prefer to fish from the jetty (no boat) may catch rockfish, lingcod and cabezon.
Geocaching
The activity is permitted in the park. In 2013, the Washington State Geocaching Association (WSGA) originally placed the cache as part of the Washington State Parks Centennial GeoTour – "100 caches in 100 parks to celebrate 100 years." A permit is required to leave an item for geocaching.
Nature Watching
The variety of mammals in Cape Disappointment State Park is all-encompassing, including everything from small mammals like squirrels, raccoons and otters to large beasts like bears, deer and elk. Birders can expect to see everything from wrens and crows to herons and bald eagles. The sea is home to whales, salmon and starfish, among other creatures. You may have to get your feet wet to see some of them.
Stargazing
The park's remoteness and location on the Long Beach Peninsula provides a dark sky perfect for stargazing. Sometimes, you may have to wait for the sky to clear, but the view is worth the wait.
Flora and Fauna
Old-growth forests and the ecosystem they create covers the area. The canopy of Douglas fir and hemlock trees creates the ideal cover for various ground covers, like ferns, mosses and lichens.
Hiking
The park features six trails (North Head Trail, Coastal Forest Loop Trail, Benson Beach Trail, Discovery Trail, Cape Disappointment Trail and McKenzie Head Trail) within its boundaries and other trails that continue into neighboring facilities. All the trails in the park are rated as easy or moderate.
Boating
The park provides a boat launch ramp and 135-foot pier on Baker Bay in the Columbia River for watercraft. Before launching your boat, you will need to obtain a one-day Discover Pass along with a daily launch permit.
Biking
The 9-mile Discovery Trail is mostly paved and winds its way along the Port of Ilwaco; the North Head Lighthouse; and coastal forests, wetlands, dunes, and a grove of ancient Sitka spruce.
How to Get to
Cape Disappointment State Park
From Ilwaco, WA, take 2nd Avenue SW South to Highway 100. Continue on Highway 100 South for approximately two miles until you reach Jetty Road. Turn right (west) on Jetty Road to enter the park.
Entering Cape Disappointment State Park
Day-use parking fees are $13. There are nine parking areas in the park in addition to the RV camping area. However, the parking lots at the Lewis & Clark Interpretative Center, North Head and Beard's Hollow don't allow RV parking.
With its spectacular landscape and fascinating history, Cape Disappointment State Park offers something for everyone. Are you heading to the park? Whether you're renting an RV from RVshare or bringing your own motorhome, we'd love to hear about your impressions of the park. Tag RVshare in your vacation photos on Instagram or Facebook, or send your best shots and tips to [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions About Cape Disappointment State Park
Summer months are the most pleasant time to visit the park. There are more sunny days in the summer. The other months tend to have more overcast days and rain.
The wildlife in the park ranges from small mammals like squirrels, rabbits, raccoons and weasels to large mammals like bears, elk and coyotes. You can spot a whale out at sea or a bald eagle overhead if you are lucky.
Yes. The park has 50 RV camping sites with full hookups and 18 with partial hookups (water and electric). There are also tent campsites available in the park.
Reservations are recommended year-round. It is essential to reserve a spot in the summer months. RV site fees range from $30-$50 a night. There is a nonrefundable reservation fee of $8 to make online reservations and $10 for a phone reservation.
Pets are permitted in the park, but they must be leashed and always under control. Owners must clean up after their pets on all state park lands.
Related
Hopedale, Illinois RV Rentals Millbury, Ohio RV Rental Deals Lebanon, Maine RV Rentals Lake Lucerne, Florida RV Rentals McCarr, Kentucky RV Rental Deals Abbotsford, Wisconsin RV Rental Deals Quechee, Vermont RV Rentals Nellis AFB, Nevada RV Rental Deals Rosebud, Missouri RV Rental Deals Bourbon, Missouri RV Rental Deals