Cape Disappointment Temporary Camping Closure
Project summary
Cape Disappointment camping — including loops A, B, C and D, Waikiki Beach and the North Jetty will tentatively close after Labor Day 2025 through May 2026 while we complete renovations and repairs to improve the park. The boat launch will also experience intermittent closures.
Improvements include:
- A culvert replacement on campground access road
- Work on the park's entrance road that will improve traffic flow at the park entrance
- A new Welcome Center
- Increased hiking opportunities with new trail in the Three Waters Trail system
- Restored wetland and habitat protection for wildlife
The lightkeepers’ residences at Cape Disappointment and vacation homes at neighboring Fort Columbia will remain open for overnight stays.
While Parks is tasked with the maintenance and upkeep of the lands entrusted to us, including conservation of natural resources and recreation access, we recognize these closures impact the local communities our parks are a part of. As the project progresses, we will look for opportunities to increase access to the park when and where we can.
- Location: Cape Disappointment State Park
- Estimated start date: After Labor Day 2025
- Estimated end date: End of May 2026
Long-term benefits of this work:
- New park entrance will improve flow of traffic
- Campground road will be safer, especially for RVs and camp trailers
- New trail will provide more hiking opportunities
- Restored wetland improves park aesthetics and protects habitat for birds and animals that live there – meaning more birding and wildlife viewing for visitors
Areas still open for day use
Parts of the park will remain open for day use, including:
- The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
- North Head Lighthouse
- Beard’s Hollow