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Nearby Parks:
Loomis Lake State Park
Fort Columbia State Park
Fort Columbia Historical State Park
Fort Stevens State Park
Pacific Pines State Park
Fort Clatsop National Memorial
Oregon State Forestry Headquarters
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Cape Disappointment State Park (formerly Fort Canby State Park) is a 1,882-acre camping park on the Long Beach Peninsula, fronted by the Pacific Ocean. The park offers 27 miles of ocean beach, two lighthouses, an interpretive center and hiking trails. Visitors enjoy beachcombing and exploring the area's rich natural and cultural history. The nearby coastal towns of Ilwaco and Long Beach feature special events and festivals spring through fall. The park offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, Columbia River, North Head Lighthouse and Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. The park has old-growth forest, lakes, freshwater and saltwater marshes, as well as streams and tidelands along the ocean. Three vacation rentals are available.
Park hours/updates:
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.Winter: 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The park is open year round for camping and day use.
Camping:Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.Check-out time, 1 p.m.Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| Wildlife Mammals Birds Fish & Sea Life? Bears? Chipmunks? Coyotes? Deer or Elk? Rabbits? Raccoons? Skunks? Squirrels? Weasels ? Crows or Ravens? Doves or Pigeons? Ducks? Eagles? Geese? Grouse? Gulls? Hawks? Herons? Hummingbirds? Jays? Ospreys? Owls? Snipes? Swans? Woodpeckers? Wrens ? Clams? Crabs? Mussels? Sea Birds? Seals? Shellfish? Shrimp? Squid? Starfish? Whales? Bass? Cod? Perch? Red Snapper? Salmon? Steelhead? Sturgeon? Trout? Tuna
Environmental FeaturesPhysical Features Plant Life ? Cedar? Douglas Fir? Hemlock? Ponderosa Pine? Spruce? Alder? Maple? Poplar? Daisy? Foxglove? Rhododendron? Rose? Berries? Eel Grass? Ferns? Moss or Lichens? Seaweed? Thistle? Poison Oak |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Lots of room to roam, great beach.
Written by mervforrest
27-Aug-2009
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| Camping: |
| Cape Disappointment has 152 standard campsites, 83 utility sites, five primitive campsites, one dump station, eight restrooms (two ADA) and 14 showers (four ADA). Maximum site length is 45 feet (may have limited availability).Camping is available year-round. To reserve a campsite, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. |
| Picnicking: |
| The day-use area has 20 unsheltered picnic tables, available first-come, first-served. |
| Boating: |
| One boat ramp and 135 feet of dock are provided on Baker Bay in the Columbia River.
A daily watercraft launching permit and a daily trailer dump permit is available at the park.Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available. |
| History of the Area: |
| In 1788, while in search of the Columbia River, English Captain John Meares missed the passage over the river bar and named the nearby headland Cape Disappointment for his failure in finding the river. In 1792, American Captain Robert Gray successfully crossed the river bar and named the river "Columbia" after his ship, the Columbia Rediviva. Only a few years later, in 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition arrived at Cape Disappointment.
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.
In 1862, Cape Disappointment was armed with smoothbore cannons to protect the mouth of the Columbia River from enemies. The installation was expanded to become Fort Canby in 1875. The fort was named after General Edward Canby, who was killed in the Modoc Indian War. The fort continued to be improved until the end of World War II. Gun batteries still sit uptop the park. |
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| Area Accommodations |
|  | Shelburne Inn - Seaview, WA
Shelburne Inn was built in 1896. Four-star dining and a cozy pub distinguish this world-renowned inn. Rooms are decorated in relaxing period style. One of the West's Best Inns says Sunset Magazine.
Price Range: $125 - $239
Web Site: http://www.theshelburneinn.com |
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| | Campgrounds | |  | Ocean Park Resort - Ocean Park, WA
In the heart of Long Beach Peninsula lies the Ocean Park Resort. Ocean Park Resort offers many amenities for this beautiful resort some including a Playground, Pool, Spa, Coin Laundry, Recreation Hall. When you stay at Ocean Park you will have many options on how you want to stay these include RV Sites, Guest Houses, Tent Sites, along with the very nice Motel.
Web Site: http://www.opresort.com |
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| | Hotels/Motels | | | Ocean Park Resort - Ocean Park, WA
In the heart of Long Beach Peninsula lies the Ocean Park Resort. Ocean Park Resort offers many amenities for this beautiful resort some including a Playground, Pool, Spa, Coin Laundry, Recreation Hall. When you stay at Ocean Park you will have many options on how you want to stay these include RV Sites, Guest Houses, Tent Sites, along with the very nice Motel.
Web Site: http://www.opresort.com |
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| | Cottages and Cabins | |  | Oregon Beach Vacations - Lincoln City, OR
Oregon Beach Vacations chooses our Oregon vacation rentals very carefully. Each home is personally screened prior to acceptance, and we work closely with the property owners to ensure that every Oregon coast rental continues to meet our high standards. Each rental has certain amenities to make it special. You may never want to leave!
Web Site: http://www.oregonbeachvacations.com |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| long beach wa : long beach peninsula visitors bureau - Long Beach Peninsula Visitor's Bureau -THE information source for the Long Beach Peninsula, located ... the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Fort Canby State Park, the Ilwaco Marina, and public ... | | Fort Canby State Park, May 2003 - Ahrens' Camping Adventures Fort Canby State Park, May 23-26, 2003 (Memorial day Weekend) We arrived at Fort Canby State Park at about 2:30 pm on Friday, to start the long holiday weekend. After ... | | Ahrens' RV Adventures - Ahrens' RV Adventures Fort Canby State Park, May 2003 Scenic Beach State Park, April 2003 Joemma State Park, April 2003 Fort ... March 2003 Fort Canby State Park, February 2003 Grayland ... | | DogFriendly.com's Travel Guide: Fort Canby State Park - ... and Canada Travel Guides for Dogs of ALL Sizes! Fort Canby State Park and other Places to take your Pet in Ilwaco Washington. ... City Guide Page Fort Canby State Park Fort Canby State Park ... | | Stock Photo of Northhead Lighthouse, Fort Canby State Park, Washington Coast, Stock Photo - stock photo of Northhead Lighthouse, Fort Canby State Park, Washington Coast ... Contact Us STOCK PHOTO, NORTHHEAD LIGHTHOUSE, FORT CANBY STATE PARK, WASHINGTON COAST Photo of Washington ... | | Stock Photos of Fort Canby State Park, Northhead Lighthouse, Washington Coast, Stock Photo - stock photos of Fort Canby State Park, Northhead Lighthouse, Washington Coast ... Contact Us STOCK PHOTOS, NORTHHEAD LIGHTHOUSE, FORT CANBY STATE PARK WASHINGTON COAST Photos of Washington ... | | Fort Canby State Park / Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center - Fort Canby State Park / Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Museum / Interpretive Center Lewis and Clark both led expeditions to Cape Disappointment. The park offers miles of beach, two ... |
| Area Attractions: |
| ActivitiesTrails Water Activities Other? 7 mi. Hiking Trails ? Boating (freshwater)? 1 boat ramp (freshwater)? 135 feet of dock (freshwater)? Fishing (freshwater)? Fishing (saltwater)? Clamming? Crabbing ? 1 Amphitheater? Beachcombing? Bird Watching? Golf? 1 Horseshoe pit? Interpretive Activities? Museum? 3 Softball Fields? 2 Volleyball Fields? Wildlife Viewing
Baseball fields and basketball courts located nearby. A Columbia River fish-cleaning station is available to fishermen.
Park events occur spring through fall:- Loyalty Days - first weekend in May.- World's Longest Garage Sale - Memorial Day.- Garlic Festival - third weekend in June.- Stunt Kite Competition - fourth weekend in June.- Fireworks on the beach - 4th of July.- Sand Sculpture Contest - third weekend in July.- Rodeo - fourth weekend in July.- Jazz & Oysters - third weekend in August.- Kite Festival - third week in August.- Rod Run - second weekend in September.- Water Music Festival - fourth weekend in October.
Swimming in the ocean on the Long Beach Peninsula is not recommended. Strong currents, riptides and unexpected high waves pose a hazard to swimmers.
Significant nearby natural areas include Willapa Bay, Leadbetter Point and Beard's Hollow. |
| Area Campgrounds | | |
| Directions: |
| Located two miles southwest of Ilwaco, Wash. in Pacific County.
From Seattle:Take I-5 south to Olympia, SR 8 west to Montesano. From there, take U.S. Hwy. 101 south to Long Beach Peninsula.
From Portland:Take I-5 north to Longview, then SR 4 west to U.S. Hwy. 101. Then drive south to Long Beach Peninsula. Follow signs to Ilwaco and the park. |
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