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Cape Meares Lighthouse – The Shortest Lighthouse on the Oregon Coast (33935518625)📷 Kirt Edblom from Kihei, Hi, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0

Cape Meares Lighthouse

Tillamook, OR

Views

The shortest lighthouse on the Oregon coast, on a headland with seabird colonies and the many-trunked Octopus Tree. It is on the Three Capes Scenic Route west of Tillamook; parking is free.

Nearest town
Tillamook, OR
Category
Scenic viewpoints
GPS
45.4865, -123.9784

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Oregon’s capes: Three Capes Route to Cape Perpetua – The Shortest Lighthouse on the Oregon Coast (33935518625)© Kirt Edblom from Kihei, Hi, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0
101
Coast & island drives

Oregon’s capes: Three Capes Route to Cape Perpetua

134 mi9 stops3 days

Nearby

Cape Lookout Trail – Returning from Cape lookout. Was it up or down - panoramio© futurehorizon1 · CC BY 3.0
Nature

Cape Lookout Trail

Tillamook, OR
Cape Kiwanda, Oregon (52023241266)© lamblukas from San Francisco, United States · CC BY 2.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Cape Kiwanda

Pacific City, OR
Haystack Rock – reflection of a mountain on beach shore during daytimePhoto by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
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Haystack Rock

Cannon Beach, OR
Dundee Hills – Furioso Vineyard in the Spring© Melmelkinch · CC0
Food

Dundee Hills

Dundee, OR

Campsites nearby

  • Tillamook Bay City RV ParkMotorhome stopover
    5 mi from Cape Meares Lighthouse
    MotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Kilchis River County CampgroundCampsite
    10 mi from Cape Meares Lighthouse
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Whalen Island County CampgroundCampsite
    15 mi from Cape Meares Lighthouse
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Trask River County CampgroundCampsite
    18 mi from Cape Meares Lighthouse
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Webb County CampgroundCampsite
    19 mi from Cape Meares Lighthouse
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Woods County CampgroundCampsite
    19 mi from Cape Meares Lighthouse
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Oregon · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Cape Meares Lighthouse?

Cape Meares Lighthouse is in Tillamook, OR, at GPS 45.4865, -123.9784. It is about 28 mi from Cannon Beach.

Can you camp near Cape Meares Lighthouse?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Netarts Bay Garden RV Park, about 5 mi away; within 25 mi there are 46 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Cape Meares Lighthouse?

Cape Meares Lighthouse is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Oregon’s capes: Three Capes Route to Cape Perpetua.

What is there to see near Cape Meares Lighthouse?

Places worth a stop nearby: Cape Lookout Trail (10 mi), Cape Kiwanda (18 mi), Haystack Rock (27 mi) and Dundee Hills (48 mi).

When is the best time to visit Cape Meares Lighthouse?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)