Oregon’s lighthouses are scattered along 363 miles of coastline, and each one tells a different story about the ships, storms, and keepers who defined this coast for over a century. There are 11 lighthouses on the Oregon Coast, and while only a few are still active as navigational aids, all of them are worth visiting for the history, the scenery, and the views. My husband and I have made it a quiet goal to visit all of them, and we’re almost there. Each one sits in a different kind of landscape, from dramatic headlands to quiet capes, and the drive between them is one of the best ways to see the coast.
Here’s a guide to Oregon’s most noteworthy lighthouses from north to south, with what to see at each one. For more on the coast, check my Oregon Coast towns guide and my road trip itinerary.
Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
Tillamook Rock Lighthouse is the most dramatic of all Oregon lighthouses, sitting on a bare rock island a mile offshore from Tillamook Head. Built in 1881 under absolutely brutal conditions (storms during construction killed at least one worker), it operated until 1957 and was known as “Terrible Tilly” for the violent storms it endured. Waves regularly crashed over the 90-foot-tall rock and smashed the lantern room. You can’t visit the lighthouse (it’s privately owned and inaccessible), but you can see it clearly from the Tillamook Head Trail between Seaside and Cannon Beach. Binoculars recommended.
Cape Meares Lighthouse
Cape Meares Lighthouse is the shortest lighthouse in Oregon at just 38 feet, but its location on a 200-foot cliff makes it one of the most scenic. The lighthouse and its original Fresnel lens are accessible via a short paved path from the parking area at Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, near Tillamook. The views from the cape are incredible: the Three Arch Rocks offshore, nesting seabirds, and the coast stretching north toward Cannon Beach. Free to visit. While you’re there, check out the Octopus Tree, a massive wind-warped Sitka spruce with candelabra branches.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse (Newport)
Yaquina Head is Oregon’s tallest lighthouse at 93 feet and one of the best to visit. It sits on a dramatic headland at the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area in Newport, and the surrounding area includes tide pools, harbor seal viewing, and a seabird colony on the offshore rocks. The lighthouse offers tours (check seasonal hours and availability), and climbing the 114 steps to the top gives you panoramic views of the coast. The Natural Area charges a $7 day-use fee.
This is the lighthouse I’d recommend if you’re only going to visit one. The combination of the lighthouse tour, the tide pools, and the wildlife viewing makes it the most complete experience. For more on Newport, check my Newport guide.
Yaquina Bay Lighthouse (Newport)
Yes, Newport has two lighthouses, and they’re completely different. Yaquina Bay Lighthouse sits at the mouth of Yaquina Bay and is the only wooden lighthouse still standing in Oregon. It’s also the oldest building in Newport (1871) and is rumored to be haunted (a ghost story about a keeper’s daughter has been attached to it since the 1800s). The lighthouse is now a museum (free admission) and has been beautifully restored. The surrounding park at the north end of the Nye Beach area is a nice spot for a walk.
Heceta Head Lighthouse
Heceta Head is the most photographed lighthouse in Oregon, and once you see it, you’ll understand why. The white lighthouse sits on a forested headland 205 feet above the ocean, with the Pacific stretching out behind it. It’s visible from Highway 101 and from the beach below, and the viewpoint is one of the most recognizable Oregon Coast images. The keeper’s house has been converted into a bed and breakfast (Heceta Head Lighthouse B&B), which is one of the most unique accommodations on the coast.
The lighthouse is accessible via a short 0.5-mile trail from the parking area. Tours are available seasonally. The hike to the lighthouse passes through coastal forest and has ocean views the entire way.
Cape Blanco Lighthouse
Cape Blanco is the oldest standing lighthouse on the Oregon Coast (1870) and sits on the westernmost point in Oregon. The wind here is relentless. The cape regularly records the highest sustained winds on the coast, and the exposed, windswept landscape feels wild and remote in a way that most coast spots don’t. Tours are available in summer (April through October), and the surrounding Cape Blanco State Park has camping and hiking trails with dramatic cliff views.
Coquille River Lighthouse (Bandon)
The Coquille River Lighthouse sits at the mouth of the Coquille River in Bandon and is one of the most accessible lighthouses in Oregon. You can walk right up to it from the Bullards Beach State Park road. The lighthouse is a solar-powered interpretive center now, and the setting (river, ocean, sea stacks in the background) makes it one of the most photogenic spots on the southern coast. For more on Bandon, check my Bandon guide.
Tips for Visiting Oregon Lighthouses
Check tour availability. Lighthouse tours are typically available April through October, with limited hours. Some lighthouses only offer tours on certain days of the week. Check with the Bureau of Land Management (Yaquina Head) or Oregon Parks before you go.
Combine with a coast road trip. The lighthouses are spread along the entire coast, so the best way to see multiple is on a north-to-south road trip. You can hit Cape Meares, Yaquina Head, Heceta Head, and Cape Blanco in a 2 to 3-day trip. For the route, check my Oregon Coast road trip itinerary.
Bring binoculars. Lighthouse sites often have excellent wildlife viewing (seabirds, seals, whales), and binoculars make the experience much better.
Dress for wind. Lighthouse headlands are exposed and windy, even in summer. Bring a windbreaker and layers.
Quick Tips
- For more on the coast, check my Oregon Coast towns guide and my road trip itinerary.
- While you're there, check out the Octopus Tree, a massive wind-warped Sitka spruce with candelabra branches.
- The lighthouse offers tours (check seasonal hours and availability), and climbing the 114 steps to the top gives you panoramic views of the coast.
- For more on Newport, check my Newport guide.
- The cape regularly records the highest sustained winds on the coast, and the exposed, windswept landscape feels wild and remote in a way that most coast spots don't.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lighthouses are on the Oregon Coast?
Oregon has 11 lighthouses along its 363-mile coastline. Nine are accessible to visitors in some form (tours, viewpoints, or grounds access). Tillamook Rock (Terrible Tilly) is visible but not accessible. Cape Arago light is visible from a distance but is on closed land.
Which Oregon lighthouse is the best to visit?
Yaquina Head Lighthouse in Newport offers the most complete experience (tours, tide pools, wildlife). Heceta Head is the most photogenic. Cape Blanco has the most remote, wild feeling. For history buffs, Yaquina Bay’s wooden lighthouse and museum is fascinating.
Can you stay at an Oregon lighthouse?
Yes. The Heceta Head Lighthouse keeper’s house operates as a B&B and is one of the most unique accommodations on the Oregon Coast. Rooms include a multi-course breakfast and incredible ocean views. Book well ahead, especially for summer weekends.
Oregon’s lighthouses are more than historical markers. They’re some of the most beautiful places on the coast, sitting on headlands with views that make you understand exactly why someone needed to warn ships away from these rocks. If you’re doing a coast trip, build in at least one lighthouse stop. You won’t regret it. Which one’s your favorite? Let me know in the comments.
