Ilwaco, Washington
Attractions

Ilwaco offers a variety of attractions, everything from art galleries and murals to discovering the areas history at the museum or Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Visit one of the two lighthouse or see the beautiful scenery at one of the state parks. Find what to see by reading this page.

Art and Art Galleries

Centennial Murals Tours
Fourteen artists painted these murals to commemorate the Washington State centennial in 1989. This tour will take at least 3 hours to view the art in nearby communities including Raymond and Chinook.

Confluence Project

Don Nisbett Art Gallery & Studio. 167 Howerton Way, PO Box 853, Ilwaco, WA 98624. Phone: 360-642-8831. don@donnisbett.com

Shoalwater Cove Gallery. 177 Howerton Way SE, PO Box 899, Ilwaco, WA 98624. Phone: 360-244-0800. E-mail

The Wade Gallery. 223 Howerton Way, Ilwaco, WA 98624. Phone: 360-642-2291. E-mail

Historic Sites

Grays River Covered Bridge
Spanning over the Grays River, this one-lane covered bridge built in 1905 is on the National Register of Historic Places. This is the only covered bridge in Washington still used by the public and is the centerpiece of Alhberg Park.

Grays Coverd Bridge
Grays Covered Bridge. Photo by Jack High, Go Northwest!

Interpretive Centers

Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. 244 Robert Gray Drive, Illwaco, WA 98624. Phone: 360- 642-3078.

Located on the cliffs of Cape Disappointment State Park, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive center tells the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition on the west coast through sketches, paintings, photographs and words of the Corps members. There is a glassed-in observation deck with fabulous views of the river, gift shop and a short film presentation.

Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Photo by Jack High, Go Northwest!

Lighthouses

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. 244 Robert Gray Drive, Illwaco, WA 98624. Phone: 360- 642-3078.

Located at Cape Disappointment State Park, just 2 miles southwest of Ilwaco, Cape Disappointment Lighthouse is a historic landmark accessed by a hiking trail beginning in the parking area at the Interpretive Center.

North Head Lighthouse. 244 Robert Gray Drive, Illwaco, WA 98624. Phone: 360- 642-3078.

Located at Cape Disappointment State Park, just 2 miles southwest of Ilwaco, North Head Lighthouse is a historic landmark offering tours from May to September. There is hiking trail access to the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse from the parking area at the Interpretive Center.

North Head Lighthouse
North Head Lighthouse. Photo by Jack High, Go Northwest!

Museums and Exhibits

Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum. 115 SE Lake Street, Ilwaco, WA 98624. Phone: 360-642-3446. E-mail

National Parks

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. 92343 Fort Clatsop Road, Astoria, OR 97103. Phone: 503-861-2471; Fax: 503-861-2585.

See demonstrations o flintlock gun shooting, tanning hides and candle making. Discover the historic canoe landing or take a short walk on one of the nearby trails. Follow the trail of the Lewis and Clark Expedition from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean by stopping at the interpretive center at Cape Disappointment State Park.

State Parks

Cape Disappointment State Park. 244 Robert Gray Drive, Illwaco, WA 98624. Phone: 360- 642-3078.

Located 2 miles southwest of Ilwaco on Long Beach Peninsula, Cape Disappointment was formerly known as Fort Canby State Park. This park offers 2 miles of ocean beach, 2 lighthouses (North Head and Cape Disappointment), both freshwater and saltwater fishing, clamming, crabbing, freshwater boating, an interpretive center and 8 miles of hiking trails.

Fort Columbia State Park. Chinook, WA 98614. Phone: 360-777-8221.

Located at the Chinook Point National Historic Landmark lies the historical state park, Fort Columbia which features historic fort building and batteries, center, observation station, historic officer’s house and 5 miles of hiking trails.

Leadbetter Point State Park. Located in Ocean Park. Phone: 360-642-3078.

Located at the end of State Route 103 on the northern tip of the Long Beach Peninsula, Leadbetter is a day-use park with beach frontage on the Pacific Ocean and Willapa Bay and borders the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and is part of the Willapa Bay Water Trail.

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