Cape Disappointment, Wa
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. Details about the Camp Ground can be found on the Washington State Parks website.
After a great time at the NWTFC at Cathlamet, Wa. Judy and I continued on to Cape Disappointment state park near Long Beach, Wa.. From Cathlamet we used Hwy 4 to Naselle and 401 to the hwy 101 junction and then on to Iiwaco and the camp ground. While the roads were a little narrow and windy in spots it was an enjoyable drive even in the rain. We checked in at 2:00 pm and were set up by 2:30. The camp site was full hook up including 20 amp power (metered at 30 amps), sewer and water.
The site was great with ample parking for TREK and toad, picnic table and plenty of room to relax and spread out. I particularly liked the fact that the site was separated by small trees from our neighbor. While the rest rooms werent the newest in the world they were clean and well maintained. We arrived at the tail end of a pretty decent coastal storm. After setting up we walked to the beach (maybe a 5 minute walk) where we got to see an angry ocean. The sea was running at sixteen feet. What an awesome display of nature’s force. By Monday morning things began to clear up. We took the opportunity to take a day trip up the Long Beach spit. There wasnt a lot going on but we did stop for an enjoyable lunch and visited several craft shops and the free museum in Long Beach. In the afternoon we visited the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, both light houses in the area, and walked one of the many hiking trails. That evening coastal black tail deer, raccoons, and a cast of thousand squirrels wandered in and out of our site. They seemed almost tame and while cautious weren’t afraid of us. Tuesday was sunny and warm. We spent the entire morning walking the black sand beach, talking with fellow beachcombers, and letting Ozzie run. It was a good day.
Our return trip was over the Astoria Bridge to the Oregon side and then via Hwy 30 to Portland and finally home by I-84. Again a nice drive with a few long grades but nothing that the TREK couldn’t handle with ease.
What a great way to start the season in the Pacific North West. A great Club Rally at Cathlamet and a wonderful side trip to Cape Disappointment, Wa. We’ve already made August reservations to visit the cape again.
Submitted By: Greg Hollister
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