Last updated: December 10, 2020
Thing to Do
See the Pacific at Cape Disappointment
About 12 miles west of Middle Village - Station Camp is the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Cape Disappointment State Park. Departing from Station Camp, the Corps hiked overland to take their first view of the Pacific Ocean from inside what is now Cape Disappointment State Park.
Note that this site is not part of Lewis and Clark National Historical Park; additional fees will be required for entry.
Note that this site is not part of Lewis and Clark National Historical Park; additional fees will be required for entry.
Details
Duration
2-4 Hours
Time greatly varies on how many sites you plan to see, and how much hiking you want to do. If you want to walk more trails, consider splitting the day trip into a two day trip.
Activity
Self-Guided Tours - Walking
At the interpretive center, admire the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s westward journey at mural-sized timeline panels featuring sketches, paintings, photographs, and the words of Corps members themselves. Here you can watch a short film on the Expedition unique to this interpretive center, browse the gift shop, and admire views of the river, headlands, and ocean just 200 feet below the windowed observation deck. Additional displays focus on local maritime and military history. The park also contains the remaining structures of Fort Canby, one of the three forts defending the mouth of the Columbia River from the mid-19th century to the end of World War II; camping; hiking and biking trails through old growth forest; beaches; two lighthouses; and more.
Pets Allowed
Yes
Allowed on trails, not in the visitor center
Activity Fee
Yes
$10 Day pass for parking
$5 per person enterance into Interpretation Center
Location
Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment
10 miles Northwest of Middle village. Take US-101 to Ilwaco, then WA-100 S.
Reservations
No
Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
April 1st - October 31st: Every day 10am-5pm
November 1st- March 31st: Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm
Closed all federal holidays except New Years day
Call 360-642-3029 for more information.
Time of Day
Day
April 1st - October 31st: Every day 10am-5pm
November 1st- March 31st: Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm
Closed all federal holidays except New Years day
Call 360-642-3029 for more information.
Accessibility Information
The trails at Cape Disappointment contain numerous hills of a variety of grades ranging from mild to steep. Visitors wanting to hike should expect trails as thing as 2-3' and max grades ranging from 30 to 40 degrees. Trail compositions range from cement to dirt and gravel trails.
ADA parking spaces closer to the museum are available but limited in number, it can be driven up to for drop-offs before vehicles can be parked lower.
ADA parking spaces closer to the museum are available but limited in number, it can be driven up to for drop-offs before vehicles can be parked lower.