Visit these Iconic Oregon Coast Lighthouses
Scenic Day Trips to Oregon Coast Lighthouses
For more than 150 years, Oregon Coast lighthouses have marked the line between land and sea along Highway 101, and a drive south from Arch Cape covers some of the best of them. The coastline itself is reason enough to make the trip, but these historic towers add a layer of history and maritime lore that turns a scenic drive into a proper Oregon Coast road trip. It’s just the beginning of the best things to do on the Oregon Coast.
First Stop: Tillamook Rock Lighthouse From Ecola State Park
You do not even need to leave the neighborhood for your first stop. Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, nicknamed “Terrible Tilly,” sits on a basalt sea stack about a mile offshore between Seaside and Cannon Beach. First lit in 1881 after a grueling, nearly two-year construction effort, it earned its nickname through hundred-mile-per-hour storms and supply runs winched up from passing ships. The light was decommissioned in 1957 and later served briefly as a private columbarium before being left to seabirds and sea lions.
You cannot walk out to Tilly, but the Clatsop Loop Trail in Ecola State Park, an easy 2.9-mile round trip, offers framed views through the trees. Southern viewpoints at Ecola State Park and pullouts on Highway 101 just north of Cannon Beach make this one of the easiest Cannon Beach lighthouse views on the coast, and a good leg stretch before the drive continues.
Cape Meares, the Shortest of the Oregon Lighthouses
Continue south on 101 toward Tillamook, then follow the Three Capes Scenic Loop to Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, roughly an hour from Arch Cape. At 38 feet, Cape Meares is the shortest of the Oregon lighthouses, but the 200-foot cliff it sits on makes up the difference. Built in 1890, it still holds its original Fresnel lens, handcrafted in Paris, which once projected light 21 nautical miles out to sea. A short, paved path leads to the lighthouse and gift shop, with views of the Three Arch Rocks refuge and the wind-sculpted Octopus Tree. Admission is free.
Newport’s Twin Lighthouses
For a full day trip, continue to Newport, about two and a half to three hours from Arch Cape and one of the more interesting Oregon coastal cities for lighthouse history, since it holds two within a few miles of each other. Yaquina Head Lighthouse, at 93 feet, is the tallest in Oregon, first lit in 1873, and remains an active aid to navigation, with guided tours up its spiral stairs. Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, near the south end of town, operated only from 1871 to 1874 and is the only Oregon lighthouse where the keeper’s quarters and light tower share one building. It now operates as a small, donation-based museum.
Oregon Coast Hotels for a Quiet Stay
A round trip from Arch Cape to Newport and back runs roughly 210 miles, so give the day room to breathe rather than racing the clock. Start each morning with a gourmet breakfast at Arch Cape Inn before heading out, and consider splitting the drive: a half-day version covering Tillamook Rock and Cape Meares, or a full-day version taking in all four stops with an early dinner in Newport. This Oregon Coast hotel is set back on a wooded, garden property near Cannon Beach. It’s a great starting point or a welcome back spot after a full day on Highway 101.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lighthouses are on the Oregon Coast?
Oregon has several historic lighthouses along its coastline, including Tillamook Rock, Cape Meares, Yaquina Head, and Yaquina Bay, all reachable by driving south from the Arch Cape area.
Can you visit Tillamook Rock Lighthouse?
No. Tillamook Rock Lighthouse sits offshore on its own sea stack and is not open to visitors, but it is visible from Ecola State Park and nearby Highway 101 pullouts.
Where is Cape Meares Lighthouse?
Cape Meares is located along the Three Capes Scenic Loop near Tillamook, about an hour south of Arch Cape, with free admission and a short paved path to the site.
Where should I stay for an Oregon Coast road trip near these lighthouses?
Arch Cape Inn offers a convenient home base near Cannon Beach, close enough to reach each lighthouse stop while offering a quiet, garden setting to return to at the end of the day.