11 Lovely Oregon Lighthouses to Visit
Numerous picturesque and notable lighthouses may be found along Oregon’s untamed, rough coast. These popular tourist destinations are just a few of the numerous things to see and do along Highway 101, the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway.
Seven of the nine original lighthouses on the Oregon coast are accessible to the public, and the majority of them are still in service as navigational aids. You may stroll outside to observe the lighthouses, go on a tour, or even go up the spiral staircase to get a close-up look at a Fresnel lens. If you visit lighthouses during the whale migration season, you may be in a good location to see the enormous creatures along the coast.
There are also two privately constructed lighthouses, neither of which is accessible to the general public and both of which are recognized as official aids to navigation by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Cape Meares Lighthouse
The stunning Cape Meares Lighthouse may be found hidden away inside the picturesque surroundings of Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint. The fact that this lighthouse in Oregon is the smallest on the Oregon Coast and barely stands 38 feet tall is one of its most intriguing characteristics.
It was constructed in 1890 and is named after Captain John Meares, the first ship to enter Tillamook Bay. Do not be deceived by its little size; it is perched on a sheer cliff and, when illuminated, can be seen 21 miles out to sea.
The tower, which is built of sheet iron and coated with bricks, is the only one of its kind on the coast. The lighthouse was replaced with a modern tower in 1963 after it was decommissioned, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.
It is one of the few lighthouses where visitors may walk around the lens and take in the sights much as the keepers did more than a century ago, despite the stairway being somewhat short.
Tours: Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from June to August and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in May and September.
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Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
This unusual lighthouse in Oregon is situated on a little basalt sea stack off the Tillamook coast.
The 1881 construction of the lighthouse earned it the moniker Terrible Tilly because of the violent storms that batter the rock it rests on and make it challenging to reach the lighthouse itself.
Even though the Tillamok Rock Lighthouse isn’t open to the public, you may still see it from a distance and discover more about its unusual and fascinating past.
The lighthouse was constructed to help ships navigate the dangerous Columbia River Bar, which is no longer utilized by maritime traffic but was important for Tillamook’s early economic development.
This piece of local mythology was briefly utilized as a burial site until it was transferred from government control to private ownership.
The renowned Tillamook Creamery and the Tillamook town itself are close by this bright lighthouse.
While visiting Terrible Tilly in this seaside town, you may take part in a variety of local activities.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
The Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Oregon’s highest lighthouse, is one of several fantastic attractions in the town of Newport, Oregon, along with a fantastic aquarium and an iconic bridge. This lighthouse is a part of the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, which is under BLM management.
Visit the Yaquina Head Interpretive Center to watch a movie on the intertidal life on the Oregon Coast and the Yaquina Lighthouses. You will also learn about the operation of Fresnel lighthouse lenses.
In the summer, the lighthouse is accessible for excursions from 12 to 4 p.m. The original lens is still there on this operational lighthouse, although the light has been automated.
Yaquina Bay Lighthouse
Yaquina Bay Light was constructed in 1871, not long after Newport’s establishment. Due to the subsequent construction of the bigger Yaquina Head Lighthouse, this lighthouse only operated for three years. The American Army Corps of Engineers utilized it as their living space after that.
It is still the only lighthouse in existence in Oregon where the living quarters are located in the same structure as the light, having been added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. A short distance from the historic bayfront, this lighthouse is open for self-guided tours.
Tours: During the summer, a self-guided, donation-based tour is available from 12 to 4 pm. (During the off-months, Wednesday through Sunday)
Cape Arago Lighthouse
This stunning and unusual lighthouse is located just outside of Coos Bay, and it stands out for both its resemblance to a home and its booming foghorn.
The lighthouse is 44 feet above sea level and situated on Chief’s Island, off Gregory Point.
Despite the fact that you cannot visit the lighthouse itself owing to its position, Yoakum Point’s Shore Acres State Park provides a fantastic view of it.
If you wish to stay in the region longer than a day, Sunset Bay State Park nearby has lovely hiking trails and camping facilities.
One of the oldest coastal communities in Oregon is Coos Bay, which provides access to a wide range of entertaining activities and museums as well as a lot of historic charm.
You may discover more about the city’s mill town era and the maritime commerce that once supported a significant portion of the region.
The Cape Arago Lighthouse is just the start of this fascinating and historic region in Oregon.
Cape Blanco Lighthouse
Only a few miles separate Cape Blanco Lighthouse from Port Orford. The cliff-top building, which is the state’s oldest active lighthouse, is situated near Oregon’s westernmost tip. The oldest continually functioning light on the Oregon coast, this beacon has been in use since 1870 and has saved several mariners from sinking on the rough shores of Cape Blanco.
From April through October, visitors can take tours of the lighthouse and keeper’s quarters at Cape Blanco State Park every Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
A full-service campsite with yurts, chalets, and RV hookups is available at the park. In addition to hiking paths, the state park also offers fishing, bird viewing, and picnics as recreational activities.
Heceta Head Lighthouse
The famous Heceta Head Lighthouse, one of the most picturesque lighthouses in Oregon, is perched atop Heceta Head. The tower is 56 feet tall and can be seen from the sea 21 kilometers away.
The Oregon coast’s brightest light is also where it is most frequently shot. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is currently responsible for maintaining the light, which was originally illuminated in 1894. The former home of the lighthouse keepers is now a charming B&B.
The finest place to view this land bluff, which protrudes significantly from the land and is crowned by a lighthouse, is from U.S. 101, from where you can also hear the murmur of the sea lions below you.
Tours: Summer hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., while winter hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Only the lowest part of the lighthouse will be accessible during the visit.
Umpqua River Lighthouse
The Umpqua River Lighthouse is one of the few lighthouses in Oregon that will enable you to climb to the top and gaze at the lens.
There are plaques providing historical details about the lighthouse at each of its landings in this 65-foot-tall structure.
The distinctive feature of this lighthouse is that LED lights have replaced the original incandescent bulbs, and it is still in service today.
In 1857, the Umpqua River Lighthouse was constructed on the river’s shore; however, it was later relocated to its present site.
This lighthouse, which overlooks Winchester Bay, resembles the one on Yaquina Head.
You may explore Reedsport, one of the earliest coastal communities in Oregon, after taking a tour of the lighthouse.
This region offers a variety of activities, including ATV riding, hiking, and kayaking.
Pelican Bay Lighthouse
The newest lighthouse on the Oregon coast, Pelican Bay, shines its light up to 12 miles offshore. It was lighted for the first time in 1999, rising 141 feet above sea level.
It is privately owned, therefore it is not accessible to the general public, but it is still very stunning to behold and offers some of the greatest views of Brookings Harbor.
Camping – One of the nicest camping spots in the vicinity is Beachfront RV Park, which has numerous sites with stunning river views for a spectacular morning view. For a nice camping trip, there are many of conveniences.
Coquille River Lighthouse
Built in 1895 to prevent ships from becoming stranded at Bullards Beach State Park, this lighthouse saw its first actual usage that year.
The lighthouse was extremely helpful in averting the loss of costly maritime vessels that were coming in to carry supplies because the bar was highly dangerous in this area.
From May to October, throughout the day, you may take tours of the ancient lighthouse, which also features a foghorn.
The area around Bullards Beach State Park is wonderful for spending time with the whole family.
On the opposite side of the park, you may enjoy the dunes and ride horses along the shore.
If you are visiting in the summer, go into town to see the Sawdust Theatre or the Coquille Valley Museum.
This little village has played a significant role in the state’s marine history.
Many of the town’s historic sites have exhibits that describe the history of the Native Americans who formerly lived there.
Cleft of the Rock Lighthouse
Jim Gibbs, a specialist in lighthouse construction, built this privately owned lighthouse in 1976, not far from Cape Perpetua. The lighthouse is not accessible to the general public and is located on a bluff on private property.
The Fiddle Reef Light on Vancouver Island served as the inspiration for the design of the lighthouse and dwelling, which is an authorized private aid to navigation with a light that can be seen more than 16 miles at sea.
1-1/2 miles south of Yachats, at Milepost 166 on Highway 101, you may see the house.