Boeing Future of Flight

How to Get There

From Long Beach (5 mi): Take WA-100 south toward Ilwaco, continue onto Robert Gray Drive, and follow signs directly into the park and lighthouse areas.

Overview

The Cape Disappointment State Park occupies a rugged headland at the mouth of the Columbia River, where powerful Pacific waves meet one of North America's most significant waterways. Despite its gloomy-sounding name, bestowed by British fur trader John Meares in 1788 when he failed to locate the Columbia River entrance, the park is celebrated for its remarkable scenery and rich history. Visitors can explore windswept beaches, forested trails, dramatic sea cliffs, and two historic lighthouses that have guided mariners through the notoriously hazardous waters known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific." The park also preserves important military installations, interpretive exhibits, and cultural sites that tell the story of exploration, commerce, and coastal life.

One of the park's highlights is the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean near the expedition's western terminus. Extensive hiking trails connect scenic overlooks, tide pools, beaches, old-growth forests, and historic defense structures dating to World War II. Wildlife enthusiasts may spot bald eagles, seals, migrating whales, and numerous seabird species throughout the year. Whether visitors come for coastal photography, history, hiking, storm watching, or simply to experience one of Washington's most dramatic landscapes, Cape Disappointment offers an unforgettable encounter with the natural and historic character of the Pacific Northwest.