Cape Disappointment State Park REVIEW

Cape Disappointment State Park: website HERE

Value 4/5
Cost for full hook ups $28.
No need for dump station this time but for sites without full hook up the cost is included in your camping fees or $5 if just visiting for the day

Site Quality 4/5
These sites we stayed at were wonderful. Once again they were fairly close, but the site had lots of mature trees. The pad was paved and had full sewer, water and electricity on site.

Facility Fun 4/5
Many hiking trails, Amphitheater, Beachcoming, Bird watching, Horseshoe pit, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Centre ($5 and $2.50 kids 7-17), Softball fields, Volleyball fields, Wildlife viewing, Freshwater Boat ramp, Clamming, Crabbing, Fishing. There are 2 lighthouses. Cape disappointment Lighthouse which is locked up and the North Lighthouse which you can pay $2.50 to entre. (we ran out of time to do the North Lighthouse...next time) If you are looking for outdoor family fun this Park has lots to offer to keep everyone entertained. The beaches are windy enough for kites, but not too windy so they were not cold, the campsites are in circles and makes for great bike riding for the little ones.

Natural Surroundings 5/5
Many beaches, coves and caves to explore as well as lakes and hiking trails. Numerous scenic views and trails throughout the park. Beaches, Ocean and forests...pretty amazing beauty to us.

Bathrooms 5/5
Very clean and nice hot pay showers for $3.00. Again I didn't go in...oops but my husband did here and he said they were really nice.

Staff 5/5
Park Rangers were always friendly and very helpful

Location 4/5
There were many trails and natural areas to walk, play and explore along the beach and marsh areas and in the forests. There is a small store with a laundromat, pay phone and firewood to purchase. Park is near a small fishing town of Ilwaco where you can see many fishing boats etc on the docks and a bigger store then the park store. There is nearby golf, and horseback riding. Astoria Oregon is about 20-25 minutes away. We hit the Costco here for a new chainsaw and a few other things. It was a large and new Costco and not crowded!

Overall 4.5/5
This park is a great family park. There is lots to do and amazing scenery to do it in. We had lots of rain again but hey, we live on the West Coast and are quite used to the rain. If you aren't then be prepared to get wet. Invest in a good waterPROOF jacket to keep you warm and dry and the dampness out and you'll enjoy your time here to.

Above and below shows our campsite the first 2 nights. Lots of trees so you can't even tell the park road is behind us.

The beach was amazing. The black sand and the waves. From all the debris you can tell this shore takes a beating in the winter. The ocean washes ashore many treasures and aparently quite often old glass fishing buoys get washed ashore here. All we found was bits of debris and rope scraps.

The view of Cape Disappointment Lighthouse
Inlets on the way up to Cape Disappointment Lighthouse
The view of the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Centre from the lighthouse
Our site for nights 3 and 4 with a wonderful forest area behind and beside us so the kids could play
View into a vacant site near us
A look off

These guys are quite cheeky here so expected to see them a lot at night and be sure to keep your food away as they will sneak up to your picnic table as you are sitting beside it!

We liked this park and if we weren't going on our big trip this summer would come back this summer. We will definitely come back again in later years and want to explore the Oregon Coast more too!