Cape Meares Lighthouse

Discover this historic lighthouse overlooking Tillamook Bay.

Named after Captain John Meares, the first Captain to sail Tillamook Bay, the Cape Meares Lighthouse is the shortest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast, standing at 38 feet tall. Though small, the light could radiate 21 miles out to sea due to its cliffside position and Fresnel lens made special from France. 

The Cape Meares Lighthouse was first lit in 1890 and had a distinct red and white light pattern. It was kept lit by two oil houses that were replaced by an electrical system in 1934. Though deactivated in 1963, the lighthouse still stands due to the public's outcry when the Coast Guard proposed tearing it down. It was opened to the public in 1980 and is still open seasonally to visitors between April and October. Admission is free for all visitors. 

The lighthouse is located 10 miles West of Tillamook, Oregon, situated at the northern end of the Three Capes Scenic Route. Various nature trails surround the area, including the Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint & National Wildlife Refuge, where you may spot native birds and migrating whales from a distance. You can also see the Octopus Tree, a massive Sitka Spruce with a most unusual shape.