Panorama view of Yaquina Head Lightouse and Outstanding Natural Area.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

The Yaquina Head Light, also known early in its existence as the Cape Foulweather Lighthouse, is a lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. It is located in Lincoln County, near the mouth of the Yaquina River near Newport at Yaquina Head. The tower stands 93 feet tall, and is the tallest lighthouse in Oregon.

Made in Paris in 1868 and shipped to Oregon, Yaquina Head Light was first lit August 20, 1873, and automated in 1966. It is active with an identifying light characteristic of two seconds on, two seconds off, two seconds on, and 14 seconds off. A two-story keepers’ dwelling was built at the time the lighthouse tower and its adjoining oil house were constructed. In 1923, a one-story keepers’ house was added a short distance to the east. In 1938, a one-story building replaced the original two-story dwelling. Both dwellings and all outbuildings were then demolished in 1984. The space is now a grassy area.

In 1939 the U.S. Coast Guard took over the management. During World War II, 17 servicemen were stationed at Yaquina Head to keep a lookout for enemy ships. The lighthouse still uses its original 1868 French-made, 1st order, Fixed Fresnel lens, visible 19 miles out to sea. In 1993, the lighthouse was listed in the National Register of Historic Places

Yaquina Head outstanding Natural Area

From exploring tide pools teeming with life to witnessing Oregon’s tallest lighthouse, there is something for every visitor at Yaquina Head. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area extends out from the Oregon coast, one mile into the Pacific Ocean.

The interpretive center features exhibits on seabirds and marine life as well as human history from the headland. You can see the wheelhouse of an historic ship, check out a recreated rocky island and its inhabitants, and witness a full scale replica of the lighthouse lantern. All BLM exhibits and interpretive specialists deliver the rich history of Yaquina Head.

Explore the tidepools at Cobble Beach with rangers every day, check the Tidepool Times to plan your visit.

What to Photograph

The historic Yaquina Head Lighthouse.

Harbor seals can often be seen laying on the near-shore rocks off Cobble Beach and Quarry Cove. The best time to observe them is when the tide is out for best chances for viewing. A long lens will be needed to get a closeup shot.

Harbor Seals on the rocks at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area on the Oregon Coast.
Harbor seals are brown, silvery white, tan, or gray, with distinctive V-shaped nostrils. An adult can attain a length of 6.1 ft and a mass of up to 370 lb. Blubber under the seal’s skin helps to maintain body temperature. Harbor seals stick to familiar resting spots or haulout sites, generally rocky areas where they are protected from adverse weather conditions and predation, near a foraging area.

Birds are one of the most abundant, easily watched forms of wildlife at the Yaquina Headland. The availability and diversity of habitat at Yaquina attracts different bird species all year-round. A long lens will be needed, the birds on large rocks offshore.

Cobble Beach and the tidepools, commonly seen animals include anemones, urchins, mussels, barnacles, seastars, and many more.

Cobble Beach is covered with polished black basalt cobblestones. During low tide you can explore the tidepools. The Columbia River basalt lava flow covered this region 14 million years ago. Over the years, erosion brought these rocks down from the beachside cliffs. The rocks become smooth and polished from the continual back and forth of the tides. The rocks tramadol no prescription needed rolling back and forth with the waves moving in and out make a loud distinctive clattering sound.

Tide pools or rock pools are shallow pools of seawater that form on the rocky intertidal shore. Many of these pools exist as separate bodies of water only at low tide. Tide pools exist in the “intertidal zone” (the area within the tidal range), which is submerged by the sea at high tides and during storms, and may receive spray from wave action.

Where it is:

Yaquina Head is located on the central coast of Oregon at the north end of Newport.

Newport is located 55 miles west of Corvallis on the central Oregon coast. Take Hwy. 20 to U.S. Hwy. 101 to Newport. Turn right onto Hwy. 101 and proceed north 4.5 miles to Lighthouse Drive and turn left to enter Yaquina Head.

Driving from the north on Hwy. 101, turn right onto Lighthouse Drive approximately 0.5 mile south of the Newport city limit sign.

There are signs on the highway and at the stop light at the intersection of Hwy. 101 and Lighthouse Drive to help direct you to Yaquina Head.

Maps:

Interactive Google Map

Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.

GPS:

44°40’35.73″ N 124°4’45.107″ W

Hours:

Park Grounds

7 a.m. – sunset, July 1 through September 15
8 a.m. – sunset, Fall, Winter, Spring

Interpretive Center

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 1 through September 15
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fall, Winter, Spring

Lighthouse

The lighthouse is open for limited ranger-led tours, as weather, conditions and staffing permit. Reservations are required.
For important tour and reservation information: Tour Info

Waves crashing at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area on the Oregon Coast.

Cost:

Yaquina Head honors and issues all America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes (senior, annual, military, access, volunteer and 4th grade). Yaquina Head also honors and issues Oregon Pacific Coast passes.

Personal passenger vehicle: $7 for a 3 day pass
Annual Yaquina Head: $15 for a 12 month pass
Motorcycle: $3 for a 3 day pass
Bicyclist, walker: free 1 day pass
Commercial van, < 21 passenger capacity: $25 for a 1 day pass
Commercial bus, >21 passenger capacity: $50 for a 1 day pass

Location Contact Information:

Call 541-574-3100 or email blm_or_no_yhona_comments@blm.gov for the most up-to-date information.

Drone Regulations:

Flying kites, model airplanes, and drones is disruptive to wildlife and not permitted.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse Photo Gallery

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