Five Iconic Lighthouses to Explore Near Oregon’s Adventure Coast
Lighthouse hunting on Oregon’s Adventure Coast is an exciting and historic activity the whole family will enjoy.
Oregon’s Adventure Coast: Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston has a long, rich maritime history dating back hundreds of years, and the lighthouses located up and down the Oregon coastline are special relics from that era that can still be seen today. These majestic beacons of light are a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the early lighthouse keepers, who worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of mariners along the treacherous Oregon Coast. Not to mention they are beautiful to look at!
It’s worth noting that FIVE out of the nine lighthouses in the state are within an hour’s drive of Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston. In this post, we’re going to highlight these maritime wonders and we recommend you plan a road trip to visit all five in person!
#1 Cape Arago Lighthouse - Charleston, Oregon
Standing at 44 feet, the Cape Arago Lighthouse near Charleston, Oregon is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the iconic sites travelers will see as they travel along the Cape Arago Beach Loop . The multiple vista points make it one of the most photographed lighthouses on the West Coast. The history of the Cape Arago Lighthouse dates back to 1866, when Coos Bay was one of the most active harbors on the West Coast, and there was a need for a lighthouse to guide ships carrying lumber and coal into our bay.
Though images of the lighthouse are posted everywhere, the lighthouse itself remains a mystery to many. It is no longer in operation, nor is it open to the public. And yet, it still has a commanding presence and simple beauty, making it the star of photographs and journals from travelers from around the world! Unfortunately, there is no public access to this lighthouse, but there are great views of it from Bastendorff Beach County Park, the Oregon Coast Trail, and the viewpoint on Cape Arago Hwy.
How to Get There- The Cape Arago Lighthouse is located just 12 miles southwest of Coos Bay/North Bend in Charleston. From Hwy 101, head west on Newmark Ave (near The Mill Casino * Hotel & RV Park), follow the road for 2.9 miles and turn left on Cape Arago Hwy. Once you cross the bridge into Charleston, continue straight onto Cape Arago Beach Loop, drive 8.6 miles for the Lighthouse viewpoint.
More Information
- Cape Arago Lighthouse, Oregon at Lighthousefriends.com
- How to Find an Epic View of the Cape Arago Lighthouse
- Cape Arago Lighthouse - Oregon Coast Visitors Association
#2 The Coquille River Lighthouse Interpretive Center - Bandon
Located in Bandon, the Coquille River Lighthouse Interpretive Center can be found on Bullards Beach State Park, about 20 miles south of Coos Bay. The lighthouse was built in 1896, decommissioned in 1939, and restored as an interpretive center in 1979. Today, the tower itself is not open to the public due to safety concerns, but visitors can tour the Interpretive Center Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 11am to 5pm.
How to Get There- From Hwy 101, turn west into Bullard’s Beach State Park, just north of Bandon. Inside the park, take a left and travel 2 miles to the Lighthouse.
More information
- Charleston to Bandon Tour Route
- Coquille River Lighthouse - Travel Oregon
- Southern Oregon Coast Lighthouse Tour
#3- Umpqua River Lighthouse - Winchester Bay
The Umpqua River Lighthouse is located 19 miles north of North Bend on Hwy 101 and stands 65-feet tall. Its original purpose was to signal the entrance to the Umpqua River. It was constructed in 1857, making it the first lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. Unfortunately, it collapsed during a storm, but was rebuilt in 1894. Today, this historic lighthouse is managed by Umpqua Valley Museums and is open for tours from May through September. Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse, but this is only possible with guided tours. The Lighthouse Visitor Center is located next door, and it is recommended to visit the museums adjacent to the Visitor Center to learn about the lighthouse’s history, the surrounding area, and the US Coast Guard’s presence on the Oregon Coast.
How to Get There. From North Bend, take Highway 101 to Winchester Bay and head west on Umpqua Lighthouse Road. Make your first right.
More Information
- Umpqua Valley Museums
- Umpqua Lighthouse State Park
- Umpqua River Lighthouse, Oregon at Lighthousefriends.com
#4- Heceta Head Lighthouse- Florence
Located just 59 miles north of Coos Bay, a visit to The Heceta Head Lighthouse is a fun day-trip the whole family can enjoy. Named for its crowning feature, this iconic lighthouse also offers access to a sheltered beach and a scenic hike along the Oregon Coast Trail. The lighthouse was initially lit in 1894, and can be viewed from a distance of 21 miles, making it the most potent light on the Oregon Coast. During the summer and winter, visitors can participate in a guided tour of the lighthouse from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., respectively, depending on the weather and staff availability.
How to Get There. From Hwy 101, travel 12 miles north of Florence. Just north of Cape Creek Tunnel, turn right and the road curves around under Hwy 101 to the parking lot.
More Information
- Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint
- Heceta Head Lighthouse - Travel Oregon
- Heceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon at Lighthousefriends.com
- Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint
#5- Cape Blanco Lighthouse - Port Orford
Just 48 miles south of Coos Bay, the Cape Blanco Lighthouse is the oldest standing lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. Its 59 foot conical tower is situated on the westernmost point in Oregon, towering 245 feet above the ocean. The lighthouse was commissioned in 1870 to aid shipping generated by gold mining and the lumber industry. Access to the grounds is restricted to foot traffic, with a quarter of a mile walk from the gate to the lighthouse. Visiting hours are Wednesday through Monday, 10am to 3:30pm (gates close and lock at 3:30). Guided tours through the lighthouse are offered April through October, Wednesday through Monday.
How to Get There. Traveling along Highway 101, go 9 miles north of Port Orford and turn west onto Cape Blanco Road (look for signs that read Cape Blanco State Park). Travel 6 miles to the lighthouse.
More Information
- Cape Blanco Lighthouse - Enjoy Port Orford
- Cape Blanco State Park - OCVA
- Cape Blanco Lighthouse, Oregon at Lighthousefriends.com
- Cape Blanco State Park - Oregon State Parks
Lighthouse Hunting Tips
- Dress in layers and bring warm clothing, even in summer and fall. The Oregon Coast temperature is known to fluctuate.
- Check the weather before you go. You will obviously get a much better view if you are going on a clear, sunny day. Is fog getting in the way? Don’t worry, it usually burns off once the sun comes out.
- Wear hiking shoes if you plan to get an even better view.
- If you plan to take pictures, bring a high-powered lens to get close-ups and/or binoculars.
Additional Resources
- Southern Oregon Coast Lighthouses
- Oregon Coast Trips - Lighthouses
- Oregon Road Trips: Oregon Coast Lighthouse Road Tour
- Oregon Coast Lighthouses Tour: Map and Itinerary
- See all 11 lighthouses of the Oregon coast
- A Guide to Exploring Oregon’s Lighthouses
Click here for local lodging options, and be sure to contact the Coos Bay – North Bend Visitor & Convention Bureau and request your FREE visitor’s packet ! Here are some other adventures and trip ideas to consider during your visit to Oregon’s Adventure Coast: Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston.
