State park / coast ยท South Washington coast

Cape Disappointment, Long Beach, And Astoria

Lighthouses, Columbia River mouth, Long Beach, Lewis and Clark history, Astoria, and Fort Stevens.

Quick Read

  • Rough drive: 3.5-4.5h.
  • Best for: Washington coast, lighthouses, Columbia River mouth, Lewis and Clark history, Long Beach, Astoria add-on.
  • Best season: Mar-Oct; winter storm weekends can be good if lodging is comfortable.
  • Best base: Long Beach / Ilwaco / Astoria.
  • Current 2026 status: Cape Disappointment camping is closed entirely until Jun 30, 2026 for renovations, with Waikiki Beach, North Jetty, and boat launch access unavailable until construction completion.

Why It Fits

This is the cleanest south-coast weekend from Mercer Island: a major Washington state park, Lewis and Clark interpretation, beaches, lighthouses, and Astoria/Fort Stevens within the same two-day area.

Good Two-Day Shape

Day 1: drive to Long Beach / Ilwaco, North Head Lighthouse area and Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center if open, beach walk or Beard's Hollow depending on construction access.

Day 2: Astoria and Fort Clatsop / Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, then optional Fort Stevens / Coffenbury Lake / shipwreck stop before returning.

Main Stops

  • Cape Disappointment State Park: lighthouses, cliffs, forest/lake/beach mix.
  • Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center: high-value history stop on the Washington side.
  • Long Beach Peninsula: beach, kites, easy lodging.
  • Fort Clatsop / Lewis and Clark National Historical Park: NPS history and trails.
  • Fort Stevens State Park: large Oregon state park, military history, beach, lake, shipwreck.

Watchouts

  • Swimming in the ocean on the Long Beach Peninsula is not advised by the state park page.
  • Construction status matters in 2026; do not book around Cape Disappointment camping unless the state park page confirms reopening.
  • Wind and rain can be trip-defining. Choose lodging with indoor fallback.
  • RVs/large vehicles have parking limitations around several Cape Disappointment areas.

Sources

  • Washington State Parks Cape Disappointment: https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/cape-disappointment-state-park
  • NPS Lewis and Clark National Historical Park things to do: https://www.nps.gov/lewi/planyourvisit/things2do.htm
  • Oregon State Parks Fort Stevens: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=129