The Long Beach Peninsula

Discover the Long Beach Peninsula

Welcome to one of the Pacific Northwest's best adventure zones! The Long Beach Peninsula stretches between the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean, offering wide sandy beaches, charming small towns, lush forests, and a rich maritime heritage. Whether you're seeking family adventures, outdoor exploration, or quiet retreats, you'll find it here.

Discover hiking trails, wide beaches, and hidden wildlife sanctuaries across the Long Beach Peninsula. Explore Leadbetter Point, Willapa Bay, and Cape Disappointment for unforgettable outdoor adventures.

State Parks

Cape Disappointment State Park

The Long Beach Peninsula is surrounded by numerous state parks, each offering outdoor activities like hiking, picnicking, wildlife observation, and camping. Notable parks include Cape Disappointment State Park (home of the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center), Leadbetter Point State Park, Pacific Pines State Park, and Loomis Lake.

The Discovery Trail

Discovery Trail

Embark on the scenic Discovery Trail, an 8.5-mile paved path between Long Beach and Ilwaco featuring breathtaking ocean views, dunes, forests, cranberry bogs, and interpretive displays about Lewis and Clark’s journey.

Lighthouses and Hiking Trails

North Head Lighthouse

Visit the iconic North Head Lighthouse and Cape Disappointment Lighthouse to enjoy breathtaking views and explore nearby coastal trails.

Razor Clam Digging

Learn the techniques behind digging for razor clams, a beloved local pastime. Visit during the fall or spring seasons and check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for dig dates and regulations.

Horseback Riding on the Beach

Horseback Riding at Ocean Park

Discover the coastal beauty of the Long Beach Peninsula on horseback. Several providers offer guided rides and rentals, giving riders of all skill levels the chance to explore the wide, sandy shoreline. Learn more about options like Long Beach Horse Rides.

Bird-Watching

Bald Eagle on the Long Beach Peninsula

Discover the rich birdlife of the region, including bald eagles and peregrine falcons. Prime birding locations include Leadbetter Point and the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge.

Storm Watching

Storm over the ocean near Ocean Park

Experience the raw power of nature during storm-watching season, from late fall through early spring. Watch towering waves and fierce winds from safe, scenic locations like Cape Disappointment’s observation points and headlands.

The Long Beach Peninsula hosts a variety of exciting festivals and seasonal celebrations year-round. Below, events are organized roughly by season to help you plan your trip and experience the best of the coast’s local flavor and traditions.

Razor Clam Festival

Razor Clam Festival Long Beach WA

Celebrate the peninsula’s coastal traditions at the Long Beach Razor Clam Festival. This beloved springtime event includes clam digging competitions, cooking demos, clam chowder tastings, artisan vendors, and live music — all honoring the razor clam’s role in local life.

Peninsula Blues Festival

Peninsula Blues Festival

Groove to world-class blues at the Peninsula Blues Festival, held every summer at the Port of Peninsula in Nahcotta. Featuring talented national and regional performers, this festival blends great music, local food vendors, and stunning bay views for an unforgettable experience on the Long Beach Peninsula.

Sandsations and Sandcastle Building

Sandsations Sandcastle Contest

Show off your creativity at Sandsations, Long Beach’s annual sand sculpting festival. Marvel at massive masterpieces crafted by professional sand artists, try your hand in amateur competitions, and enjoy family-friendly activities along the Bolstad beach approach.

International Kite Festival

International Kite Festival Long Beach

Colors all sorts will fill your summer with the International Kite Festival on the Long Beach Peninsula. Watch skies filled with brilliant kites of all sizes, enjoy hands-on activities, and marvel at world-class flying displays during this week-long celebration of wind and artistry.

Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks

Fourth of July Long Beach Peninsula

Celebrate Independence Day with a lively Fourth of July parade in downtown Long Beach and a dazzling official fireworks show over the Pacific Ocean. In addition to the sanctioned display, community fireworks along the beach create an electrifying, unforgettable scene well into the evening.

Wild Mushroom Celebration

Wild Mushroom Celebration

Explore the rich culinary traditions of the region during the autumn Wild Mushroom Celebration. Featuring foraging tours, themed restaurant menus, and educational events, this fall series highlights the diverse wild mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest.

Cranberry Festival

Cranberry Festival on the Long Beach Peninsula

Try something new and discover the local cranberry harvest each fall at the Cranberry Festival in Long Beach. Enjoy bog tours, artisan crafts, food vendors, and cranberry-themed treats at the Cranberry Museum and surrounding fields.

Garlic Festival

Making garlic fries at the 35th Garlic Festival in Ocean Park, WA

Visitors to the Pensinsula can taste bold and surprising flavors at the Ocean Park Garlic Festival. From garlic-infused dishes to handcrafted goods, this relaxed local gathering celebrates the rich farming traditions of the Ocean Park community.

Crab Pot Christmas Tree Lighting

Crab pot Christmas tree lighting event in Ilwaco, WA

Ring in the holidays at Ilwaco’s charming Crab Pot Christmas Tree Lighting celebration each winter. Located at the Port of Ilwaco, this festive event features a giant Christmas tree made entirely of crab pots, twinkling with lights, alongside caroling, hot cocoa, and a warm small-town spirit.

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center Cape Disappointment

Learn the inspiring story of the Corps of Discovery at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Cape Disappointment State Park.

Local Museums

Coast Guard rowboat and lifejackets at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum.jpg

Explore local history and culture at the World Kite Museum, Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum, Cranberry Museum, and Willapa Bay Interpretive Center.

Fort Columbia

Fort Columbia Historic Site

Step back in time at Fort Columbia Historical State Park. Explore preserved military bunkers, restored buildings, and scenic bluff-top trails overlooking the Columbia River.

Historic Oysterville and the Oyster Industry

Historic Oysterville

Wander through Historic Oysterville, a beautifully preserved 19th-century village that tells the story of the peninsula’s oyster-farming heritage.

Ilwaco Art Walk

Explore local galleries, live music, and refreshments during Ilwaco’s First Friday Art Walks, held monthly from June through September along the Port of Ilwaco waterfront.

Beachpets Treasure Hunt

Beachpets Treasure Hunt Long Beach

Join the Beachpets Treasure Hunt, a fun, family-friendly search for hidden glass floats along the beaches, supporting local animal rescue efforts.

Expansive Dining Options

Discover a variety of dining experiences across Long Beach, Ocean Park, and Ilwaco — from fresh-caught seafood to farm-to-table restaurants and casual coastal cafes.

Downtown Long Beach Activities

Marsh's Free Museum in Long Beach

Explore the quirky wonders of Marsh’s Free Museum, enjoy classic arcade games at Funland, stroll the historic Long Beach boardwalk, or browse vibrant shops for coastal treasures.

Plan Your Adventure

Ready to experience the best of Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula? Whether you're chasing sunsets, exploring coastal trails, or uncovering hidden gems, a memorable beach getaway awaits. Book your stay today!