Attractions and Places To See around Cape Meares - Top 16

Cape Meares is home to several distinctive natural features. Don't miss the Cape Meares Lighthouse area, which offers dramatic coastal views from its 217-foot cliff. Nearby, you'll find the iconic Octopus Tree, a massive Sitka spruce with limbs growing outward and upward, resembling an octopus. The Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge also protects old-growth coastal forests, including Oregon's largest Sitka Spruce. Offshore, the Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge provides a significant nesting ground for thousands of seabirds and a habitat for marine mammals.

Yes, the area is rich in history. The Cape Meares Lighthouse, built in 1889, is a prominent historical landmark and Oregon's shortest lighthouse. It houses an impressive first-order Fresnel lens. You can also explore Rockaway Beach, a picturesque coastal getaway with a history as a vacation spot since the 1920s, where a steam engine train still offers scenic rides.

Cape Meares is an excellent spot for wildlife viewing. The State Scenic Viewpoint is a prime location for observing migrating gray whales, especially during spring and winter. You might also spot dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, and seals. The cliffs and offshore Three Arch Rocks serve as nesting sites for thousands of seabirds like common murres, tufted puffins, and cormorants from April through July. Bald eagles and peregrine falcons are also present in the area.

Absolutely! Many attractions cater to families. The Cape Meares Lighthouse offers free entry and tours, with picnic areas nearby. Rockaway Beach provides a vast sandy expanse for play and unique shops. A visit to Tillamook Creamery is also a popular family outing, offering tours with cheese and ice cream tastings, a market, and a cafeteria.

The Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint itself offers breathtaking ocean panoramas and dramatic views of the 200-foot basalt cliffs and rugged coastline. From here, you can also see the Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge offshore. The area around the Cape Meares Lighthouse also provides outstanding views of the Pacific that stretch for miles.

There are several hiking opportunities. You can find easy trails like the Cape Meares Viewpoint and Octopus Tree Trail (4.2 km) or the Cape Meares Lighthouse and Octopus Tree Trail (0.7 km). There's also a short, paved, wheelchair-accessible path to the lighthouse. Trails through old-growth forests within the National Wildlife Refuge and a path leading down to Cape Meares Beach are also available. For more options, explore the Hiking around Cape Meares guide.

Yes, Cape Meares is part of the scenic Oregon Coast, offering various cycling routes. You can find options like the Cape Meares Loop (36.3 km, difficult) or the Rockaway loop via Oregon Coast Scenic Bikeway (46.1 km, moderate). For road cycling, consider the Oregon Coast Scenic Bikeway: Rockaway-Nehalem Loop (61.9 km, moderate). Check the Cycling around Cape Meares and Road Cycling Routes around Cape Meares guides for more details.

The period from April to October is generally ideal for visiting Cape Meares, as the Cape Meares Lighthouse and its gift shop are typically open during these months. Spring (March-May) and winter (December-January) are excellent for whale watching, with volunteers often present during Whale Watch Week and Spring Break. Birdwatching is best from April through July when seabirds are nesting.

Yes, efforts have been made to ensure accessibility. There is a short, paved, wheelchair-accessible path that leads to the Cape Meares Lighthouse, allowing visitors to enjoy the historic site and surrounding views.

For dining and amenities, the small, tranquil coastal town of Oceanside, just south of Cape Meares, offers lodging, a cafe, and a restaurant. Additionally, Garibaldi, a port town at the northern end of Tillamook Bay, is known for its fresh seafood restaurants. The Tillamook Creamery also has a cafeteria and ice cream stand.

The Three Capes Scenic Route is a breathtaking 20-mile scenic drive along the Oregon coast. Cape Meares is a key point along this route, which also includes Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda. It offers diverse landscapes, from dramatic cliffs and old-growth forests to stunning ocean vistas, making it a highlight of the drive.

Visitors frequently praise the Cape Meares Lighthouse for its gorgeous views of the coast and its unique historical significance as Oregon's shortest lighthouse. Many appreciate the opportunity for whale watching from its promontory, especially during migration seasons. The free entry and daily tours by volunteers are also highly valued, along with the convenience of a gift shop, restrooms, and picnic areas.