Overview
Ilwaco is a city of about 1000 people in southwestern Washington State. It is on Baker Bay, at the mouth of the Wallacut and Chinook Rivers, behind Cape Disappointment.
1 sights · 3 things to do · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ilwaco
Fort Columbia State Park
Cape Disappointment State Park
A 1,882-acre camping park on the Long Beach Peninsula, fronted by the Pacific Ocean. The park offers two miles of ocean beach, two lighthouses, an interpretive center and hiking trails. Visitors enjoy beachcombing, ship …
North Head Lighthouse
Baker Bay
Baker Bay is the first large indentation on the Washington side of the Columbia River after passing Cape Disappointment. The 1792 Captain George Vancouver expedition named the bay after a British merchant, Captain James …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 36°F. Wettest: Dec and Nov. (climate data from nearby Portland)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- OLM Olympia Regional Airport, Olympia — 70 mi away. Directions
- PDX Portland International Airport, Portland — 85 mi away (major hub). Directions
U.S. Route 101 travels through the city, providing access to Astoria over the Astoria-Megler Bridge, and Long Beach to the north.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Fort Columbia State Park, Cape Disappointment State Park
- Afternoon North Head Lighthouse, Baker Bay
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
History
Cape Disappointment earned its name when Captain John Meares failed to cross the Columbia River bar in 1788. The feat was accomplished in 1792 by American Captain Robert Gray. The Lewis and Clark Expedition arrived at Cape Disappointment in 1805.
European settlement of Ilwaco began with Henry Feister in 1851, and was named for Elwahko Jim, the son in law of Chief Comcomly. Ilwaco was incorporated as a city on December 16, 1890.
A narrow gauge railway, Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Company, ran for over 30 years. The railroad ran north up First Street. The freight depot survived to modern times, and has been relocated to became part of the Ilwaco Heritage Museum. The train ran out on the dock in Ilwaco. Floating logs were stored behind log booms on the west side of the Ilwaco dock.
Local information
Get in
U.S. Route 101 travels through the city, providing access to Astoria over the Astoria-Megler Bridge, and Long Beach to the north.
By bus
- Route 20 operates daily between Ilwaco and Oysterville via Long Beach.
- Route 50 operates Monday to Friday between Raymond and Ilwaco via South Bend and Astoria.
See
Do
Do Cape Disappointment State Park (formerly Fort Canby State Park)
A 1,882-acre camping park on the Long Beach Peninsula, fronted by the Pacific Ocean. The park offers two miles of ocean beach, two lighthouses, an interpretive center and hiking trails. Visitors enjoy beachcombing, ship watching and exploring the area's rich natural and cultural history.
Do Baker Bay
Baker Bay is the first large indentation on the Washington side of the Columbia River after passing Cape Disappointment. The 1792 Captain George Vancouver expedition named the bay after a British merchant, Captain James Baker, whose ship was anchored inside the Columbia's mouth when Broughton crossed the bar to explore the river. Lewis and Clark named Baker Bay "Haley's Bay" on November 15, 1805.
Sleep
Nearby
Long Beach
City / town · 12 listings · 3 mi away
Warrenton
City / town · 10 listings · 11 mi away
Naselle
City / town · 1 listings · 11 mi away
Ocean Park
City / town · 4 listings · 13 mi away
Astoria
City / town · 36 listings · 13 mi away
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Park · 9 listings · 14 mi away
Oysterville
City / town · 2 listings · 16 mi away
Seaside
City / town · 27 listings · 23 mi away
My experience
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