Cape Disappointment is anything but disappointing, with looming cliffs, stately lighthouses, and crashing waves that invoke a sense of wonder and awe. The cape is named for a British fur trader’s failed attempt to find the Columbia River, and is burgeoning with centuries of history. Cape Disappointment is the first place Lewis and Clark saw the Pacific Ocean, and served as a military fort during the civil war, WWI, and WWII. Beyond diving into the history, Cape Disappointment is a great place to camp, explore old-growth forests, dig clams and crab, and play on the beach with your loved ones. The nearby towns of Ilwaco and Long Beach are also worth visiting, and often have festivals and events from spring through fall. You’ll leave Cape Disappointment enchanted with its stories, beauty, and mystery, and ready to book your return visit.
