Exploring Cape Meares Lighthouse, Hiking Trails and The State Scenic Viewpoint
Tucked away amidst the natural beauty of the National Wildlife Refuge and Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, the Cape Meares Lighthouse is located at the north end of the magnificent Three Capes Scenic Loop on the Tillamook Coast.
Named after the controversial British explorer, Captain John Meares, the first person to sail into Tillamook Bay, the Cape Meares Lighthouse, the shortest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast, was built in 1889.
Standing just 38 feet tall, its kerosene-powered Fresnel (pronounced “Fraynel”) lens means the light could be seen for a massive 21 miles out to sea as it shines off its perch on a steep sea cliff.
Made in Paris, France, the Fresnel lens was shipped around Cape Horn, up the west coast to Cape Meares before a wooden crane built from native timbers hauled it 217 feet up the cliff. It was first lit in 1890.
Seasonally open to visitors from April through October, admission to the lighthouse is free but visitors should be aware that the entrance is down a slightly steep slope.
The Octopus Tree- a national heritage landmark, and interpretive gift shop next to the lighthouse offers affordable fare from local artists to take home as keepsakes.
The lighthouse is one of Tillamook Coast’s most cherished treasures and the loop it’s situated has a vast amount to keep visitors enthralled.
Things To Do At Cape Meares
Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint on the Oregon Coast entices visitors to stay the whole day. With the state’s shortest lighthouse, Octopus Tree, old-growth trees, seabirds, and viewing points, Cape Meares has much to offer.
The drive from Portland to Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
To get there, Take Highway 26 W from Portland until the exit for US-6 W and make a slight left onto US-6 W towards Banks/Tillamook. Drive for 50 miles until you reach Tillamook, then turn right onto Bayocean Road. 5.3 miles later, make a left onto Bayshore Drive, then look for the entrance to Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint on your right.
Cape Meares is the first cape on the 40-mile Three Capes Scenic Loop. The drive starts and ends in Tillamook with lots of ocean views along the journey. Once you get there, there are many things to do at Cape Meares.
The Cape Meares Lighthouse and Viewpoint
The trail to the Cape Meares Lighthouse Viewpoint starts at the main parking lot An easy, paved 0.2-mile loop gets you to the lighthouse at the end of the headland.
The lower level of the Cape Meares Lighthouse is open to the public during the summer and while donations are welcome, entry is free.
The tiny Cape Meares Lighthouse is ensconced in beautiful scenery. Standing over 200 feet above the waves, the lighthouse perch provides ocean panoramas for miles around and viewpoints on the Loop Trail along which wild roses and salal bloom in early summer.
It overlooks the towering cliffs and wave-buffeted sea stacks of Cape Meares. Sea birds like tufted puffins, cormorants, pigeon guillemots, and common murres are common visitors and whale-watching is a popular activity especially when the waters are calm. Short Beach, Three Arch Rocks, and the jutting headland of Cape Lookout can be seen to the south.
The Octopus Tree And Trail At Cape Meares
One of the most enchanting oddities on the Oregon Coast, the Octopus Tree, is at the end of an easy, unpaved 0.1-mile hiking trail that starts from the main parking lot and leads through the woods to a massive Sitka spruce estimated to be 300 years old that can be circled around.
The trail is flat and even enough to accommodate strollers and wheelchairs but the main attraction is the Octopus Tree, a huge tree with six arms but no trunk. The Octopus Tree at Cape Meares is bigger than its fellow trees at 100 feet tall and 14 feet across at its base.
Its thick limbs radiate from a central hub like the tentacles of an octopus- hence the name, but a sign gives little information about how this came about, saying either human influences or natural processes formed the strange tree.
About 50 feet past the Octopus Tree, one of the best viewpoints on Cape Meares can be found with a bench to relax on while taking in the sweeping views to the south.
Big Spruce Trail At Cape Meares
An easy, 0.3-mile quiet trail from the small parking area at the entrance to Cape Meares leads to a huge Sitka spruce. At 144 feet tall and 48 feet around, the Big Spruce is the largest Sitka spruce in Oregon and is estimated to be around 800 years old.
Cape Meares Beach Trail
Although most points of interest at Cape Meares are well above sea level, the most seldom-visited trail leads to the beach. On the Big Spruce Trail trailhead, combining the two trails adds about 2 miles to the walk.
The beach trail is occasionally muddy, and moderately difficult. As an alternative if the trail doesn’t sound appealing, visitors can rather drive five minutes south from Cape Meares to Oceanside Beach.
Taking a right turn on the Big Spruce trail to get to the beach, the path meanders through an old-growth forest full of dense ferns, giant, moss-covered Sitka spruce, and hemlock trees. Wildflowers peep out in spring and in early summer, monkey flowers and false lilies of the valley flower prolifically along the trail.
The beach trail is quiet with little traffic and gives visitors a chance to see animals on the Cape Meares Wildlife Refuge.
Cape Meares Beach is tucked away and often deserted. North of Cape Meares, the beach is below the cliffs of the headland. The small town of Cape Meares is still further north and can be reached when the tide doesn’t cut off access around a small sandstone ledge.
Cape Meares Current Weather
| Weather Condition | Comport | Precipitation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | Condition | Temperature | Amount | Rain Chance | Wind | Humidity | Pressure | |
|
Today
12:00 pm
|
49° | 56°°F | 0.04 inch | 100% | 23 mph | 82 % | 1019 hPa | ||
|
Tomorrow
12:00 pm
|
47° | 54°°F | 0.03 inch | 77% | 13 mph | 63 % | 1025 hPa | ||
|
Wednesday
11:00 am
|
48° | 54°°F | 0 inch | 0% | 12 mph | 65 % | 1025 hPa | ||
|
Thursday
11:00 am
|
47° | 53°°F | 0.04 inch | 95% | 12 mph | 77 % | 1027 hPa | ||
|
Friday
11:00 am
|
46° | 59°°F | 0 inch | 0% | 9 mph | 51 % | 1015 hPa | ||
|
Saturday
11:00 am
|
51° | 57°°F | 0.04 inch | 100% | 25 mph | 82 % | 1013 hPa | ||
|
Sunday
11:00 am
|
51° | 54°°F | 0.04 inch | 100% | 19 mph | 89 % | 1015 hPa | ||
|
Monday
11:00 am
|
48° | 54°°F | 0.04 inch | 100% | 9 mph | 78 % | 1012 hPa | ||
| Weather Condition | Comport | Precipitation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | Condition | Temperature | Amount | Rain Chance | Wind | Humidity | Pressure | |
|
Today
4:00 am
|
50° | 0°°F | 0.04 inch | 100% | 7 mph | 95 % | 1015 hPa | ||
|
Today
5:00 am
|
49° | 0°°F | 0.03 inch | 80% | 8 mph | 97 % | 1015 hPa | ||
|
Today
6:00 am
|
50° | 0°°F | 0.03 inch | 80% | 8 mph | 95 % | 1015 hPa | ||
|
Today
7:00 am
|
51° | 0°°F | 0.03 inch | 80% | 8 mph | 93 % | 1015 hPa | ||
|
Today
8:00 am
|
52° | 0°°F | 0.04 inch | 100% | 9 mph | 90 % | 1016 hPa | ||
|
Today
9:00 am
|
53° | 0°°F | 0.04 inch | 100% | 13 mph | 85 % | 1017 hPa | ||
|
Today
10:00 am
|
56° | 0°°F | 0.04 inch | 100% | 20 mph | 83 % | 1017 hPa | ||
|
Today
11:00 am
|
55° | 0°°F | 0.04 inch | 100% | 23 mph | 85 % | 1017 hPa | ||
|
Today
12:00 pm
|
54° | 0°°F | 0.04 inch | 100% | 23 mph | 82 % | 1019 hPa | ||
|
Today
1:00 pm
|
54° | 0°°F | 0.04 inch | 100% | 21 mph | 80 % | 1019 hPa | ||
|
Today
2:00 pm
|
54° | 0°°F | 0.04 inch | 100% | 23 mph | 81 % | 1019 hPa | ||
|
Today
3:00 pm
|
53° | 0°°F | 0.04 inch | 100% | 22 mph | 80 % | 1020 hPa | ||
Things To Know Before You Go To Cape Meares
Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint has several miles of hiking trails but there is also lots to see without hiking or on short paths.
The hike start point is the Cape Meares Lighthouse Trailhead and ends at the Octopus Tree, covering 1.7 miles in a round trip over 305 feet of elevation gain. The highest point is 450 feet. The viewpoints are fenced and family-friendly.
Important information about visiting Cape Meares includes:
- Entrance Fee: Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint is free and doesn’t need a pass or permit to park.
- Parking: There are 2 free parking areas. The small parking area at the entrance has no amenities but can be used to access the trailhead for the Big Spruce Trail and the steep trail down to the beach. The main parking lot has restrooms and picnic tables nearby and allows access to the Cape Meares Lighthouse, the Octopus Tree, and several of the best viewpoints.
- Picnic spots: There are two picnic areas- one next to the main parking lot and the other to the south, tucked away in the trees. The restrooms are next to the main parking lot.
- Disabled Access: Many areas can be accessed with a stroller, including the lighthouse, the Octopus Tree, and several viewpoints.
- Pets: Leashed dogs are welcome but only service animals can enter the lighthouse.
After visiting Cape Meares, head south to the loop’s other capes- Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda, before returning to Tillamook and consider making a stop at one of the area’s main attractions like McPhillips Beach, Sitka Sedge State Natural Area, Tillamook Rock Lighthouse and Munson Creek Falls.