Fort Canby State Park

Experience the beautiful outdoors and rich history of the Northwest with your doggo at Cape Disappointment State Park! Located where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, this 2,000-acre site on the Long Beach Peninsula offers miles of trails, lovely beaches, and two lighthouses for you and your pup to explore.

Formerly known as Fort Canby State Park, Cape Disappointment gets its current name from Captain John Meares' first failed attempt to find the Columbia River. Here, you and Fido can hike through diverse landscapes including old-growth forest, saltwater marshes, ocean tidelands, and freshwater lakes. 

There are a number of trails that you and your energetic pooch can tackle, one of which is the quarter-mile Bell's View Trail. This paved path will lead you past old gun batteries and lookouts overlooking the Pacific Ocean—be sure to take your time and enjoy the breathtaking views! You and Fido can also reach the grounds of the pawpular North Head Lighthouse from here.

If your pup likes the feeling of sand under their paws, don't miss the chance to check out Cape Disappointment's dog-friendly beaches. Go for a leisurely stroll in the sand, explore the tide pools, let Fido romp in the water, and watch the sunset together. Just make sure your pooch stays on an 8-foot leash at all times, and be sure to bring clean-up bags and water.

After an exciting day on the trails and beach, set up camp in the park's campground, which contains 137 standard sites and 50 full hookup sites. Partial hookup and primitive sites are also available, but if your dog is used to comfort, cabins C1, C2, and C3 welcome four-legged guests for an additional fee of $15 per night. Each cabin is outfitted with bunk beds, a covered front porch, electric heat, a picnic table, and a fire pit.

Whether you and your furry pal spend a day or a weekend at this state park, Cape Disappointment will not leave you disappointed!