Oregon
Lighthouses
Tall sentinels that once guided stalwart sailors away from rocks in the night — there are 11 lighthouses along the 363 miles of the Oregon Coast, each wrapped in history and ghost stories, each still beckoning you home.
Five Featured Lighthouses
Five of Oregon’s most spectacular lighthouses are clustered within a short drive of Lincoln City — each with its own distinct character, history, and stories waiting to be discovered.
Cape Meares Lighthouse
Although it’s the shortest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast at just 38 feet, Cape Meares is no less spectacular than its neighbors. Its original Fresnel lens — crafted in Paris, France — could cast light 21 nautical miles out to sea. Today the lighthouse is free to visit, with a gift shop and interpretive center on site.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
At 93 feet tall, Yaquina Head is the tallest lighthouse in Oregon and still guides ships today on the north end of Newport. First lit in 1873, its 1800s character endures even as the original oil-burning Fresnel lens has given way to modern power. An Interpretive Center tells the lighthouse’s story alongside the surrounding natural area’s rich wildlife.
Yaquina Bay Lighthouse
A sister to Yaquina Head, Yaquina Bay sits atop a bluff at the mouth of the Yaquina River. It’s the oldest structure in Newport and the only existing Oregon lighthouse with living quarters attached. Restored and re-lit in 1996, it still shines a steady white light 161 feet above sea level from dusk to dawn. Open for self-guided tours with a donation accepted.
Heceta Head Lighthouse
Perched on a bluff 150 feet above the Pacific, Heceta Head keeps vigil with one of the brightest lights on the coast — visible 21 miles out to sea. At 56 feet tall, Heceta Head is as beautiful as any lighthouse on the Oregon Coast, and the historic keeper’s house has been converted to a sought-after bed and breakfast.
Umpqua River Lighthouse
Nearly identical in structure to Heceta Head but slightly taller, the Umpqua River Lighthouse stands 65 feet tall and 165 feet above the sea near Winchester Bay. Though an earlier lighthouse on this site was the first in Oregon (1857), it succumbed to erosion in 1861. The current structure dates to 1894. Its museum and tower tours are open year-round, with a distinctive red-and-white automated flash.
All 11 Oregon Lighthouses
All 11 Oregon Coast lighthouses north to south — with height, year commissioned, status, and access info. Click any column to sort.
| Lighthouse | Location | County | Height | Year First Lit | Automated | Status | Current Lens | Map |
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