Cape Disappointment Lighthouse Trail is a 1.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Ilwaco, Washington that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
The Discover Pass is required for vehicular entrance to this park. An Annual Pass costs $30 and a Day Pass is $10. The Cape Disappointment Lighthouse was constructed in 1856 to warn seamen of the treacherous river bar known by then as the graveyard of the Pacific. This is the oldest functioning lighthouse on the West Coast.
Parking and Restrooms
Cape Disappointment State Park 244 Robert Gray Dr. Ilwaco, WA 98624
It was closed. Nice if they told you that at the pay station and not while you’re already on the trail
Trails are closed to the lighthouse currently. Interpretive center is as well. Bit of a disappointment.
The trail to the lighthouse is closed with barricades by thecoazt guard, so you can onlyventureup towards the interpretive center and the trail down towards the beach. Plenty of people but still a nice little trail. We saw rabbits, deer, snakes and Pelican. We could only clock 5 miles and that was even walking out on the jetty some.
No longer provides accessible route to lighthouse. The L&C Center was a nice sight though and had a beautiful view of the ocean and lighthouse.
Super fun walk for Valentines Day with my hunny and the pups. Great scenery and epic views made for some wonderful photographs.
Nice little hike with killer views! Beach is closed for what is probably forever. you can still see the cover pretty well.
It’s a nice trail, but it’s a lot of ups and downs, it’s best to start from the history center there is an old fort and it still offers beautiful views. But the lighthouse was amazing! Just wear shoes with good traction because it’s muddy and with the inclines and declines it can get slippery. Honestly though it’s a must do!
Nice walk to the lighthouse. Slight hill climb but paved. Great for kids but toddlers may want to be carried part way. Lighthouse at the end has great views and some seating. Trail is partly in the woods and partly paved. Enjoyable and worth exploring. For the $10/day pass though I would suggest doing more than just this one hike.
Nice quick little trail. Decent view of Deadman’s Hollow, but that part of the trail is closed. We saw lots of wildlife (birds, chipmunks, a deer), so that was a plus.
*Discovery Pass required* •Deadman’s Cove - closed• The trail is best started from the parking lot for the interpretive center. The old Fort can be walked through with some history boards posted throughout. This trail is dirt pathway and strolls down toward the water. It transitions to pavement at the back gate of the US Coast Guard area and Deadman’s Cove. Deadman’s Cove is posted “US Gov. property no trespassing” and closed off to public. The trail ends at the USCG lighthouse, which is a post position and staffed. GREAT view point on a clear day of Oregon (to the South East), Deadman’s Cove (just below and to the north), Waikiki Beach (North West), and the Jetty.