Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint
Located west of Tillamook, right along the Pacific Ocean, is Oregon’s shortest lighthouse. The Cape Meares Lighthouse may be small, but is a lovely place to visit with amazing things to see. The short walk to the lighthouse is gorgeous with views of rugged cliffs and ocean waves. There is no charge to climb to the top of the lighthouse and we learn something new each time we visit.
Park Info
Location: about 20 minutes from Tillamook
Things to See: Cape Meares Lighthouse, scenic views of the Pacific Ocean with seabirds and sea lions, Octopus Tree
Camping: No
Food: Nothing available for purchase
Entrance Fee: None
Park Maps: Link to park maps
CAPE MEARES LIGHTHOUSE
Update: Currently you cannot walk to the top of the lighthouse. However, the surrounding areas are still open daily.
Check the Oregon State Parks website for the most recent updates.
FRESNEL LENS CLOSE UP
The prisms of a fresnel lens bend and reflect the light, magnifying it, and focusing the light into a single beam. The light can be seen more than 21 miles away out at sea.
Notice the reflection in the clear lens turned the objects upside down.
BIRD WATCHING
Cape Meares is a great location for bird watching. Thousands of seabirds nest on the cliffs of the cape and rocks out at sea.
During one of our visits telescopes were set up at a viewing deck in the parking lot. Among other birds, we got to peek at a nesting Peregrine Falcon with chicks in the rocks.
Views of Pillar Rock and Pyramid Rock from the top of the lighthouse.
You can even spot larger birds like Bald Eagles, and these vultures from the loop trail.
HIKING TRAILS
Cape Meares has a few short hikes through the spruce and hemlock trees of the Pacific Northwest. The Lighthouse Loop and Octopus Tree hikes are easily done together, both beginning at the main parking lot. The Beach Trail and Big Spruce trailheads are located before you reach the viewpoint, and are also easily hiked in the same outing.
Cape Meares Lighthouse Loop
Distance: 0.5 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
This paved path takes you to the lighthouse. The path meanders through the coastal forest with views of the steep cliffs of the cape. Along the way you can see many sea birds, possibly sea lions, and during the right time of year whales migrating.
Octopus Tree Trail
Distance: 0.3 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Easy
If you would like a longer walk, the trail does continue past the Octopus Tree and follows the Oregon Coast Trail.
Cape Meares Beach Trail
Distance: 1.8 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Moderate
The trailhead for this destination is not near the main parking lot, but along the main road before turning towards the main parking lot and lighthouse. It is about a one mile hike down to a rocky beach.
Big Spruce Trail
Distance: .4 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Easy
The trailhead for this walk is also not in the main parking lot, but near the parking area for the Cape Meares Beach Trail.
Big Spruce is approximately 800 years old and the oldest Sitka Spruce in Oregon.
THREE ARCH ROCKS WILDLIFE REFUGE
South of the lighthouse, looking towards Oceanside, is Three Arch Rocks Wildlife Refuge. It is home to colonies of seabirds, as well as a breeding site for sea lions. They are difficult to see, but on the left of this photo are Stellar Sea Lions laying on the rocks.
Wildflowers
In the spring, there are petite and colorful wildflowers to admire.
Cape Meares has so much to see along the nature trails. It is one of my favorite places to visit.
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