Yaquina Head Lighthouse Reviews

4.5

3 of 64 Best Attractions in Newport


Reviews

Love the lighthouses

By Trenda B |

There are actually two lighthouses...one is Yaquina Bay which is the second oldest lighthouse in Oregon and the other is the Yaquina Head Lighthouse which is the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. Both are wonderful to see. The Head Lighthouse has great trails around the area and also lots of great birding in the area. Highly recommend seeing these.

Lighthouse

By dianecM8249YT |

Neat place to visit. Nice visitor center. Beautiful beach with sea lions entertaining us. We didn't get there in time to walk up into the lighthouse. I recommend planning ahead if you want to do that. But I recommend going if in the area.

Breathtaking views

By Brad M |

Well worth the fee to enter the park just to walk around the Yaquina Bay lighthouse and learn some of the history surrounding it. Very thankful for its preservation.

A wonderful Oregon Lighthouse

By Genevieve R |

We visited several lighthouses as we traveled down the Oregon Coast. This one was very accessible to the parking lot for those with mobility issues. Not all the lighthouses are like this. We missed the last tour of the day, which was not a problem. Plenty to see around the lighthouse as well as read the history. Very windy. Recommend windbreakers.

Restored Lighthouse with History

By FROGTRAVELER1635 |

Did not function as a lighthouse for very long due to obstructed ocean view. Almost totally destroyed in abandonment but now shinning brightly in a fully restored condition. Wonderful hosts. Delightful room restorations and video. A bit of a walk up the hill with stairs and ramps. What a view of the ocean and ships entering and exiting the bay. No fees.

Lighthouse

By Tippegirl2 |

The lighthouse was closed when we got there. However, you could still walk around the lighthouse and enjoys the views of the ocean. We were not lucky enough to see the whales but if you walk down the steps to the ocean you can see many seals playing in the ocean. Also, while you are down there listen close to the waves as the recede back into the ocean. It's a sound I've never heard. Pretty cool.

Impossibly long wait to get in

By Amanders |

Probably nice when you get in. Slowest wait ever to get in. Like 30 mins :( need more staff. Busy busy busy.

A bit of history

By ralphw440 |

This is an easy lighthouse to visit along the Oregon Coast with lots of history. Take time for the tour or just go through the museum and walk along the coast. Great place to visit

Very cool.

By Jaine L |

Love the history behind the lighthouse. There are some stairs required to get to this one. Very beautiful and great views.

Just love lighthouses

By 2013TravelinFool |

Just part of our history that has faded away. Love seeing the lighthouses refurbished and taken care of for all to see. This is beautiful

Hidden Gem off the beaten path

By G N |

We found this Lighthouse by accident on our drive between Lincoln City and Newport. What a pleasant surprise this area was. The lighthouse area is beautiful with a fantastic view. The interpretive center nearby was also truly educational for the children complete with a short video to watch. Highly recommend stopping by if you have time on your hands.

Excellent views in all directions

By bwanderer |

A short drive off the west side of highway 101, just north of the Newport city limits, this is a worthwhile place to drive through, but ideally to get out of one's vehicle, walk around, and take in the wonderful views.

It's a lighthouse

By Jerome D |

We were surprised to find that this was a Natl Park site, so anyone with a pass gets in free. Saw an incredible sighting of whales

Touch history

By Elizabeth A |

This is an excellent and stunning place to feel the ocean's strength. The lighthouse highlights how self sufficient people were able to provide safe passage to all sea vessels. There is a historic guide to view inside the lighthouse. The gift shop has something for everyone's budget.

Interesting!

By DancingDivaJudy |

Interesting background history and nicely restored with a beautiful view. They show a video on the history of the lighthouse downstairs. Cost is by donation.

Slice of life in a lighthouse

By MinxInWA |

Very interesting look at the life of a lighthouse keeper, and it's free. We made a donation (please do!) and talked extensively with the docent. Amazing bridge views and sunsets.

Nice old lighthouse and up close view of the nesting birds

By Alan B |

There is a small fee to visit the park where the lighthouse is. Well worth the $7 to see the lighthouse, climb the hill behind for an awe inspiring view down the coast and observe the many species of birds who nest on the rocks. This is a large park with an information centre that is very interesting. One of the highlights (pun intended) of our visit to Newport.

Historical beauty

By LivingHappy |

Thanks to a tip, we arrived at the visitors center before 10 am to pick up tour passes for the lighthouse tours scheduled for later in the afternoon. The tour was informative. Best part was climbing to the top to see how the lighthouse functions. Pretty awesome!

I see the light

By Edward G |

Very nice little cove, lots of interested blue rocks on the beach. Did't walk to the lighthouse, took some pictures. Half a mile walk to lighthouse up hill, bathrooms there only if you really have to use.

The best list you'll ever have re lighthouses in Oregon

By JimHNewport_Oregon |

The best educational lighthouse on the Oregon coast....Bring the kiddos...they'll learn a bunch....and you'll be surprised at how well this is presented...the "man-made" tide pools a bit of a disappointment....an example of why you should not try to duplicate Mother Nature>

Really wonderful lighthouse experience!

By John H |

Not to be confused with the Yaquina (pronounced "Ya-kwee-na") Head Lighthouse a few miles away, this lighthouse was only in service a few years while the Yaquina Head light was being constructed (1873). Unlike the National Park complex at Yaquina Head, this lighthouse was saved by a historical committee set up by local people who saved the house, history and photos of the light keeper and his family and restored the area which is next to the entrance to the Bay. It is actually in the town of Newport and easy to find. It has docents to explain the history and family life of the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. There's no charge, a donation is gratefully accepted to maintain the Light and grounds. And, BTW, there's a lot of parking and a great view of the Bridge across the harbor entrance. See the photos and visit soon!

Whales galore just offshore

By Bruce D |

We saw several whales sporting in the surf from the boardwalk in front of the lighthouse. What a treat!

Great place to visit

By Tony B |

This is an historic place and the guide was dressed in 1880s clothes. It is a great place to visit. Check out the visitor centre first to get a (free) place on the tour

Outstanding!

By Christine A |

Had not been out to lighthouse in several years. Loved the interpretative center and the walking path up to the lighthouse from there.

Friendly

By Soschmoker |

This lighthouse was very informative. You can tour the Lighthouse and the volunteers are very nice and can answer any questions. There is a 12 minute video downstairs worth watching

Nice little stop off the beaten trail

By brs054 |

I went after the interpretive centre had closed, so my visit was solely to see the lighthouse and was pretty brief. There are a few informative signs set up and, aside from the lighthouse itself, some pretty spectacular views with the opportunity to see marine mammals and sea birds.

Must view

By irshgal43 |

Another Tourist item but interesting once family visit july
2010 Like most light houses has certain attraction

Worth a stop if for nothing else, the views

By carlotaTravel4fun |

The lighthouse was impressive against the amazing view of the coast. The lighthouse was not open for viewing, but you can walk around it. The parking is limited, but it turns over quickly.

Good way to spend an hour on OR Coast

By ADK-Pathfinder |

Very interesting place to learn about lighthouses and OR Coast environment. Well worth the $7 three day entrance fee. Very educational for all ages. Boy it is windy!

Still in service.

By B_VWestCoast |

It is a good vantage point to look upon the harbor & in the decades past the picnic area probably would of been busy. Sadly now has fallen into disarray, still a nice stop to stretch ones legs before traveling on.

great view and walk

By jeanette s |

we just had dinner, and viewed the lighthouse, so we went, it was lovely, a good easy walk, and everyone we talked to was friendly, the ocean is always fantastic.

Discovering around Yaquina Bay Lighthouse!

By Maya |

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is an incredible place to visit! If your looking for a fun place to explore around the Oregon coast, this is a perfect spot. Not only is there a light house but also other cool spots such as a tide pool, a 10-15 min trail hike with a view point, and a cove point with a mini beach and where you can see the waves splash against some giant rocks up close. If you get lucky enough, you might be able to see some ocean wildlife! This place is very peaceful and full of adventures! I highly recommend visiting Yaquina Bay Lighthouse!

One of the best Light house stops on the Oregon Coast!

By kevin |

The $7 entrance fee is good for 3-days! We used the same parking stub for several other places we vivited this weekend.

The story of how they got materials for the build was interesting. They offer 3 daily tours at noon, 1pm and 3pm.

Your kids will love the free interpretive center. Full of interactive stuff like kids games from the 1800's.

It's Been Years, But Worh the Stop

By richardcash |

Lived in Oregon years ago and visited the Lighthouse often. Still the same place, but always a pleasure to visit again.

Yaquina Bay lighthouse

By NorthStar530969 |

We went to the beach to find out that they had a free tour of the lighthouse with the option to donate to it my daughter and niece love the tour in the story of the girl that became a ghost they even gave my daughter a copy of how the girl became they have more books about it in their gift shop I would recommend buying one and a little trinket to go with the people there were very friendly and knew a lot about the lighthouse do you have a video downstairs for you to watch it was very interesting the whole experience was wonderful.

be prepared for wind

By Rachel S |

Yaquina Head was beautiful but extremely windy. Lighthouse tour tickets sell out quickly but the inside of the lighthouse is worth seeing. (You can buy tickets beforehand online now.) It has unexpected Victorian details and you can take the stairs all the way to the top.

Great views of sealife

By Jim T |

This is a great spot to learn a little about lighthouses, and a really good spot to observe the sea animals and birds. Be warned that it is a "Fee area" so there is a charge to enter. Since I have an "old timer's" pass I wasn't paying attention to the normal cost.

Beautiful Lighthouse

By Michelle W |

We visit the Oregon Coast over Easter every year, while I knew we wouldn’t be able to tour the lighthouse, since we were there off-season, I didn’t think they’d have a locked gate to keep you from seeing it up close. Grounds and views are beautiful though!

History and charming

By lanaleah |

The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is located very near to the Yaquina Bay Bridge and the Oregon State Aquarium. Take care not to confuse it with the Yaquina Head Lighthouse which is on the north side of Newport which apparently some reviewers have done. We visited recently on a Sunday and it was closed to visitors contrary to their posted visiting hour, so check before visiting to see if they are open. We still enjoyed viewing the exterior and the beautiful view of the bay bridge. We visited a couple of years ago and enjoyed touring the interior of the charming and historic lighthouse.

Must see in Newport

By PINKIE_9 |

This is a 30 minute walk from Ocean HouseThe day we went was a cool walk from Ocean House Lodge in Newport. The lighthouse is in good shape They have a good area to observe migating bir4ds.

High on the Lighthouse bluff

By fjzelko |

Don't miss this scenic lighthouse. The lighthouse is interesting and the views of the cliffs , birds, and seals make you realize the beauty of this coast.

Interesting but limited

By SalfromIL |

The restored lighthouse is very nice inside. The rustic feel of the 19th century resonates. Many of the rooms are blocked off so you're basically walking the hallways.

In the basement, there's a room showing a short video of the history of the lighthouse. There is access to the 2nd floor, but the ladder to the light itself is inaccessible. The only window on the 2nd floor faces away from the coast so even that isn't great.

The lighthouse by the bridge!!

By Cynthia K |

I was looking at the reviews & pictures & it seems some reviewers are confused as to which lighthouse they're reviewing. This lighthouse is IN Newport & has a nice view of the Yaquina Bay Bridge. It's well signed & has a generous parking lot.

We were there very early in the morning & nothing was open. It looked like there might be an interpretive center. I took a photo from the sidewalk.
There's also information boards around & a really nice view of the bay.

Free with GOLDEN PASS!

By Linda C |

Lovely, must stop for the pretty lighthouse and the beautiful windswept rocky lava cliffs and the expansive sea views. It's just a few miles north of Newport with plenty of parking. The lighthouse tower stands 93' which is the tallest on the Oregon coast. It was first illuminated in 1873. We were treated to the sight of three whales as we gazed at the sea, surprised to see them so close to the shore. Do not miss this!

Interesting

By Anthony T |

The volunteer hosts were very informative and answered our questions willingly. The rooms are well done and the video is interesting.

Beautiful Lookout and a Beautiful Lighthouse.

By Rick V |

Just happened to swing by the Yaquina Head Lighthouse a little before the visitor's center closed at 5pm and enjoyed it thoroughly. We were able to see the history of the lighthouse combined with how it all worked at the visitor's center. We then made a way to the actual lighthouse and loved the sights. The only down part was the invasion of the fly's from the surrounding bushes so you had to either be covered from head to toe, or consistently be moving which was a bit frustrating. We did however see some whales just of the west of the lighthouse which made the trip even that much more fun for us! Would love to come back and do a tour of inside the lighthouse some day,

Interesting

By Mike J |

Nice little walk up to the place with great view if not foggy. The Beach below is great walk and you practically have it to yourselves

The memorial to fisherman lost at sea is poignant.

By Rod S |

We stopped by during our most recent visit to Newport. Unfortunately, they're not presently giving tours due to Covid. (We greatly enjoyed the guided tour on our first visit to Newport in 2012.) Still, worth stopping and visiting the memorial.

Vacation

By Terry G |

Loved the unique rock beach. Different from what we saw in other areas. We did not take the tour but spent time on 5he beach

Historic Views

By anderkma |

A visit the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse will not dissappoint. An interesting historic display with a film give context to your visit. Th

History in action

By Holly P |

It's quite the walk but worth it to see what a lite house looks like, beautiful old architecture too

Beautiful, peaceful setting and there may be whales

By Mimi S |

The lighthouse is well cared for and the setting is peaceful. Plenty of parking, nice visitor center, viewing park down below where we saw gray whales near the shoreline. Everything you would expect from a lighthouse. Didn't go in but loved the outside.

Beautiful spot

By Anastasiya J |

Stopped there on the way to Newport. Beautiful nature, gorgeous view. I recommend to have a guide for the lighthouse - very educational

Great place to learn

By Rachelle F |

There are so many things to see and learn here! Beautiful Lighthouse and views. Would definitely recommend it

Interesting Lesson in America

By Lauren S |

It was fascinating learning about this lighthouse as well as Lighthouses in America and the families that specifically lived at this lighthouse.

It sounded cheery and yet isolated in some ways. I enjoyed walking around the grounds and the light house as well as the information center.

What a great American Park. I did not even know it was there and I lived in Oregon for a few years, so I was delighted to discover it.

Amazing... and informative.

By James W |

Visited here in March 2018. It is a national park. We were able to see two bald eagles... male and female, sitting on rock of one of nearby islands. The info center is fascinating... interesting history of the lighthouse.

Fantastic Views

By Jan H |

Our tour group stopped here, and we were able to tour the lighthouse home. It has been kept the way it was in the 1800's. It was informative,but be prepared to walk up a lot of steps as it is up on a hill. The views of the ocean were amazing, and we were there on a bright sunny day. It is worth a short stop.

Lighthouse With Attached Living Quarters on the Bluff

By RetiredTravelerTN |

Second time to visit one of our three favorite lighthouses on the Oregon coast – we still love it! Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is different from the others in that the light keeper’s quarters is attached to the lighthouse. The cute structure is a pretty sight sitting on the bluff at Newport. The paved path to the lighthouse is a little steep but no problem for anyone of average mobility. The self-guided tour inside the house is three levels – living areas on the main floor, bedrooms upstairs, and the basement downstairs which has informative displays. Friendly volunteers provide explanations of unique, historical items as well as history of the lighthouse.

Other local places to stop include the historic Newport harbor a short drive across the highway to watch sea lions on the docks and Yaquina Head Lighthouse just off Hwy 101 to the north. Yaquina Head Lighthouse has something that this lighthouse on the bay does not have – biting flies! Take your insect repellant.

Good Photo Op

By Teresa W |

We like lighthouses so this was worth a drive by, but we did prefer Yaquina Head lighthouse on the other end of Newport better because it had a nice interpretive center and better whale watching views.

Worth the stop

By Kevin J |

Love this lighthouse! $7 to get in, and they steer you to the first parking lot, with the visitor center. There is a second lot, down below, closer to the lighthouse. It could fill up, but there were plenty of spots when we were there... midday. Definitely worth the walk down the stairs to the beach, with all of the rocks. Very unique, great views of the lighthouse, and we were fortunate to also see the natives: pelicans to sea lions.

Well worth a visit

By MelvinPusfinger |

If you were in the area of Newport or Depoe Bay, this lighthouse, and the surrounding State Park area are well worth a visit. Seven dollars admission and well worth it. The first stop is the interpretive center. Thereafter, you drive to the lighthouse. Parking can sometimes be a challenge but if you wait a while you will find a spot. The lighthouse is automated, and there is no entrance. But you can get nice photographs of the lighthouse and the coast line. And there are stairs down to the beach and the tide pools. All in all a very pleasant time here.

Historic lighthouse in a beautiful setting

By Velma E |

In this location there is a visitor information to help you enjoy the lighthouse and the birds and fish in the area.

Historical light house

By Kelsie H |

Very nicely staged to portray what it was like at the time it was working. Well maintained and interesting. Only took a few minutes and donations were optional

Stunning

By LaTayne B |

Stunning views! Very informative tour guide of the lighthouse. Definitely recommend stopping here if you're anywhere near Newport!

Imagine the life of a lighthouse keeper!

By Kathy D |

The coast of Oregon is beautiful, yet dangerous in many places. With all the rocky cliffs along here, I can see why a lighthouse was a necessary precaution. This lighthouse has a house attached for the keeper's family. Even if the lighthouse isn't open while you are there, you can peek inside the windows.

Lighthouses bringing light to a dark dangerous place

By Partsman999 |

The Lighthouse brings sailors light to dangerous coast. The history of lost ships due to lack of light on rocks is enormous. Today automatic but still doing its job.

Smaller lighthouse

By JunctionGirl |

We just did a quick drive by of this one. Not a lot to see around it. It's shorter and connected to a building. The bridge by it was cool and Newport was a great town.

So pretty

By rusty_fwg |

The views here are amazing and there are tons of places to walk and take in the views, as well as down to the beach, or jetty.
Lots of parking make sure you catch sunrise and sunset here

Beach, lighthouse, picnic area

By MonicaPrath |

Relaxing atmosphere, free admittance, clean. Cute little lighthouse and enjoyed coastline and bay view at the beach and jetty.

Well preserved home and reproduction garden

By Valerie B |

Well worth the time and effort. Home well preserved and furnished nicely with antiques. Take a moment and visit the memorial for those lost at sea and to tour the grounds.

Visit there

By Daniel Fishman |

Great 2-4 hours (up to half day) place to visit. The lighthouse visit (inside) requires coordination with the visitor's center.

Go early as they run out of tickets

By Daniel A |

We followed the advice of a review and just barely made it as they had almost sold out of tickets. I didn’t buy online so it would be wise to do so. This is a very nice area with a quaint lighthouse. The views aren’t as spectacular as other lighthouses but it is quite unique nonetheless.

Vacation

By paws0810 |

I can’t remember if this is the lighthouse we went to and it’s the same as the one I’m writing about there was a place today we went that was absolutely amazing but I don’t remember if this is

Lighthouse Magnificance

By Rod Brooks |

Enjoyed visiting the light house and seeing the whale and seals in the water below. Great vista for photos.

Old light house

By Jim B |

The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse was a good historical walk through. It is situated up on a hill over looking the bay. It was built in 1871 and only operated for a few years, but you can tour the whole thing for free( or make a small donation) it is filled with period furniture and furnishings. The Docents were very knowledgeable and friendly. Nice small gift shop hidden in the basement. It won’t take a long stop, but will be worth the effort.

Quiet and Beautiful

By BlueWaterGator |

Enjoyed an afternoon here on our way up the Oregon Coast. Great views of Newport Harbor and the Pacific Ocean. Many picnic tables in lush vegetation. It is a quiet place with lots of room to “just lay back.” We sure enjoyed the stop-over and we bet you would agree. Get out of the crowds and take in the scenery at Yaquina.
Cheers...
BlueWaterSailor

Very cool looking lighthouse

By northernk |

Cool lighthouse up on a hill .. rare that because of hight the lighthouse is part of the keeper's house .. and high enough to do it's job though i believe it was only used for a few years then restored by a private owner. We arrived to late to go up closer to it, but super cool to see, and worth it and easy to get to off the main road.

Every lighthouse is worth seeing!!!

By Gscriven |

Any lighthouse on the Oregon coast is worth seeing and a lot of them are in parks that offer more to see.

Very scenic place

By Steve W |

If you're in the Newport area a stop to the Yaquina lighthouse is a definite yes. It sits on a very scenic point, and there's lots of wildlife in the area between the whales, sea lions and the birds. No matter what the weather and whether the tours are going on, there's plenty to see and look at

Gorgeous!

By Debra V |

Was closed for the day but still had fantastic views of the lighthouse and surrounding areas! Would have loved to see inside!

Go, even on a cold, cloudy day!

By Erin M |

We arrived on an overcast, windy day to the Visitor's center. You have to sign up for the tour at the center and it's first come, first served. The next available was 4 hours away so we opted out. The Visitor's center is nicely put together with a lot of displays and a short video of the lighthouse's history. We drove down to the lighthouse (though it's a short 15 min walk) and ran around snapping pictures in the cold. Ended up going down the staircase to where tide pools are, however it was high tide and what a delight to see a pod of whales up close! It was the highlight of the stop to see their flukes in the air and bodies skimming the water. Time well spent even though the weather was less than ideal.

Great

By krg999 |

We took the tour inside and thought the tour guide was informative. The lighthouse itself is nicely maintianed inside. Be sure to reserve. As a bonus, you can watch seals.

Lighthouse

By gwen h |

Just beautiful. Access to the beach. I was able to get some great photographs. I was also able to see sealions.

There are 2 lighthouses in Newport

By barryswobblyworld |

The most awesome one to visit ... the must see .. is Yaquina Head Lighthouse . On the north end of town . First class .
The older lighthouse is right by the bridge . It's a lighthouse on top of a Victorian building . There is a large park there , with picnic tables .

Beautiful lighthouse you can walk to or drive to the nearby parking lot

By Brandon K |

Gorgeous lighthouse with an attached living quarters, which is apparently a rarity. There is a nice walk from the visitor's center if you want to take the half mile trip each way, but you can also drive to the parking area at the lighthouse itself. Could just have sat there for hours watching and listening.

Awesome old Lighthouse

By Loretta B |

It was closed because of covid, but would have loved to explored the inside, and climbed the tower too.

Beautiful day at the lighthouse

By 19gin48 |

Beautiful day at the lighthouse. Nice visitor center. Free entry with your senior national parks card. Lots of whale watching, walking on the cobble beach. Seals, birds & tide pools. Nice guided visit inside the light house.

Nice Light

By Pixelpanderer |

As a photographer, one of the best shots is either from above the parking lot above the access road or from the beach below. the best light is either mid morning or late afternoon. Those hours are also less crowdwd.

Not much to it

By musicofcourse |

This place is more of a park then a landmark. Takes 10 minutes to see. Does give great views of bay and bridge but after going to the other town lighthouse this is a distant 2nd

Outstanding Views

By Georgeanna W |

We stopped here on a drive down 101 HWY. It was so beautiful, we went back a second time on our trip. The lighthouse is not ADA accessible however we were able to enjoy the view of the tide pools, ocean, and sea lions. Lovely! Also it costs 7.00 to get into the park but the pass is good for 3 days!

Chilly August breezes kept some of us in the car

By Rick Z |

Grandkids from Colorado had never seen a lighthouse before and loved being able to get up close to see how tall they are. Did not take the inside tour as there was a long line of those who had already paid.

Lighthouse and Tide Pools

By Kathy B |

Nice information center with videos and display items. Disappointed we couldn't go inside the lighthouse, but next time I'll know to make a reservation online. We were there at low tide so able to see lots in the tide pools below.

Great lighthouse experience

By Steph B |

Stopped in to check out what might be available. This is easily one of the coolest/least expensive adventures we've been on. With a $7 entry into the park and no extra charge to take the lighthouse tour I would easily recommend this stop to anyone with or without children!

Pretty area, annoying people

By Greeny4444 |

This lighthouse was cool. It was much smaller than I thought it would be, but it also has a little house next to it, I guess where the keeper lives (because it’s still a working lighthouse - we saw it shining from our room at the Hallmark resort at night). The beaches just below it are composed of like, chunks of black rock, it’s really cool. The scenery is pretty but there is really no regulations about how many people can be here at a time, and when we went (Aug 4), there were teenagers playing on the grass and being noisy, people bumping into us while we were taking pictures, kids spitting over the side of the railing... There was a $7 fee just to get into the area to drive down to see the lighthouse, and it isn’t much, but it’s enough to have a more respectful experience (we felt). There were also tons of horseflies there that continuously bit our arms and legs (which wasn’t a fault of the lighthouse - that’s just nature). If you go when school is in session, this would be a nice place to see; otherwise, we’d recommend skipping it to see something else.

Beautiful views and great lighthouse tour

By Heather Gebbia |

We visited on a beautiful, sunny Saturday so the views were gorgeous. It was also low tide when we got there so the tide pools were lots of fun to explore. We made a reservation for the lighthouse tour online which turned out to be a good idea as those tours are very limited if you just show up. The tour is free, but if you reserve online it is a $6 fee for your entire party. I thought that was reasonable enough to know that we had a spot. The tour itself was very informative and our family of 4 (kids ages 12 and 10) enjoyed it very much. We parked by the interpretive center as parking at the lighthouse is very limited, but it's a short and beautiful walk from the interpretive center to the tide pools and lighthouse. The interpretive center is also worth spending some time in, the displays and exhibits were really interesting. If you have an America the Beautiful pass you can get into this park for free, otherwise I believe it's $7 per vehicle entry fee.

Incredible view and setting !

By Judy C |

Just 10 minutes north of Newport. Incredible scenery, including whales. Inside lighthouse has limited tour, so

Nice view

By enrique v |

This place has a very nice view and you can whale watch and visit the small visitor center off the parking lot.

Take the tour

By kmh1958 |

Sign up in advance for the lighthouse tour- very historic and informative. Guides dress in costume and stay in character. Totally worth it!

Top ten spots in Newport

By Tim C |

This place is so picturesque, it's just what you want in a lighthouse. Super easy access, really clean, amazing view and not crowded. Looks like some nice hiking trails, a tide pool beach, it has it all. Good view of Newport spit also.

Closed in Good Weather

By Dennis A |

We heard that we must visit this historic lighthouse, and drove to the site on a clear day with very light winds. To our surprise the gate was locked with a posting that the site was closed due to inclement weather! Very disappointing.

Right off the Jetty!

By jcneb596 |

This is a short self guided tour over looking the jetty and a beach. Lots of boats coming and going in this area! it was a beautiful garden and a couple of volunteers. Keep in mind though to get there in hours otherwise you will only be able to look at it outside the fence. FREE stop here!

Why not... Oh Cool.... Lets do this again

By Nate Bair |

The Title explains it all. We got here to early and we where just traveling through. We saw the sign and said " Why Not" So we turned in. What a view of the bridge and coast line. We Parked right in front of the light house but could not gain access to it. We decided to take a little time so we climbed the steps down to the beach front. We crossed of the fine sand and was amazed at the hundreds of tiny jelly fish that washed ashore. We had never seen that before. We enjoyed our time here with the mind set of
"Lets do this again"

The lighthouse is great

By Andrey N |

The lighthouse is great, the beach is great and there is a top view of the Yaquina Bay Bridge from there. There is plenty of parking around the lighthouse and areas for picnics. Can get good pictures from Yaquina Bay State Park. A must see on the Oregon coast.

Enjoyable stop

By Connie W |

There is a bit of a walk to get to the lighthouse but the path is good and several park rangers available to answer questions.

Great Beach Access, and a look into history

By Christin M |

This little lighthouse is easy to access, and full of history. The grounds also have great picnic areas, bathrooms, and easy access to the beach.

Proudly Standing on the Point

By MikeB1952 |

A short drive from the Yaquina Head Visitor Center is the lighthouse itself (be sure to visit the Visitor Center prior to going to the Lighthouse. It will make the Lighthouse visit much more rewarding). And it’s a majestic lighthouse standing proudly on the point. Unfortunately it was closed by the time we got there. But, just walking around it looking up was pretty neat. In addition, there’s a walkway around the lighthouse providing a view around the point to the cliffs and ocean beyond. A nice sight as well.

Great place for a picnic, ocean view and short hikes

By Kim B |

The lighthouse was closed but we still enjoyed visiting the area. Lots of short hikes to the beachfront with good access.

Worth a quick stop

By debbie40 |

There is an entry charge. It was foggy but did clear for a short while. Nice lighthouse but you can only walk around it. Rocky beach you can visit. If weather is good then would recommend paying to go in but for us what we could do given weather was limited

Beat lighhouse tour ever

By Kim J |

The lady working here is so informative and the lighthouse you can go to all the rooms which have the same furniture as it did years ago. All antiques with an amazing view of the ocean. Not a bad climb either....like the other lighthouses around here.

Who got fired?!

By Lou D |

Who got fired?!!!
Only open for 4 years since ships from the north couldn’t see it! Unbelievable!!!
Very well preserved for its age but… it is, however, just another light house…

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area with Lighthouse

By V K |

The address listed here is for the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. It includes one of the lighthouses pictured here and is well-worth the visit. It costs $7 to drive a car in and has plenty of parking. Pass is good for three days. The staff at the interpretive center are friendly and kids can earn a junior ranger badge during their visit. The center includes lots of information about the lighthouse and local animals. The real treasure is the amazing tidepools where you can see wildlife in action! Lots of bird activity for bird watchers--there was even a bald eagle sitting in a tree on the drive out. This was a trip highlight.

Neat old lighthouse

By pers0nalview |

The lighthouse was neat looking. It was not open when I was there (only open 12-4). The park at the base of the lighthouse was really nice with picnic tables, a view of the bridge, beach access and is filled with beautiful big old growth trees. Nice area for a picnic or just to relax.

Beautiful views from this lighthouse!

By Wendy W |

Family of four (mom, dad, kids ages 14 and 11) spent an hour touring the lighthouse and grounds. We enjoy the informative video and exhibits in the visitor's center before talking the beautiful walkway out to the lighthouse. We did not have a reservation for the tour, but we still enjoyed spending a few minutes walking around and enjoying the wonderful scenic views. The property is well-kept and an interesting place to spend an hour (or more) on a beautiful day. Dress warmly, the chilly wind can get really cold!

Beautiful area to walk and drive around

By Leah M |

My family wasn't able to get into the parking area during tour hours, so we went back later. It's often very windy, but the lighthouse is beautiful, and there's a great stairway down to the shore where there are interesting coast plants and tumbled smooth rocks. The view down the coastline is gorgeous!

Stunning location!

By Suewoody23 |

Had to visit the lighthouse and it is amazing. You pay 7 dollars to park and can book a lighthouse tour at the visitors centre. The location is fantastic, overlooking the beach and we walked along this fantastic spot. The beauty of the place is fantastic. Natures best. Great for families and worth a visit.

RV'ers beware

By LynnieFlynnie |

At the time of our visit, the entry fee was $7.00 per vehicle, which is reasonable to me. There's a nice interpretive center next to the main parking area with a gift shop. But beware if you have an RV or are pulling a travel trailer: there's only one long space for RV's. Luckily, we were the first into the spot and could leave easily when finished with our visit, but if the two Class C RV's stacked right behind us needed to leave early, the person in the middle wouldn't have been able to at all. The parking area was pretty full and mainly set up for regular vehicles. The paved trail to the lighthouse isn't strenuous but not recommended for the disabled unless they have an electric chair/scooter. In June, the flowers are all in bloom and we lucked out with a gorgeous sunny day, which isn't always easy to happen upon on an Oregon coastal Summer. There's an overlook to the left of the lighthouse where a lot of seals and sea lions were sunning and sleeping on the rocks below and there are pay-operated scopes to have a look at the birds and wildlife at the overlook. When we arrived, it was very early afternoon and pretty crowded, so if you DO go, try going earlier in the day.

Note to reviewer - this listing is all messed up.

By Dan-Insur3 |

The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is a two story wooden structure with the beacon attached to the top. It sits at the entrance to the harbor at Newport. It was built in 1871’ but operated for only three years, when a brighter Lighthouse was built about 4 miles north at Yaquina Head. The “Bay” Lighthouse is currently open to the public and managed by the Oregon Parks.

The Yaquina Head Lighthouse is a 93 foot high brick tower, with the original residences removed. The beacon was first illuminated in 1873, and continues to guide ships today with automated lights. The “Head” Lighthouse is currently administered by the Bureau of Land Management, and is within the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, which also has an interpretive Center, hiking trails, and sea bird nesting areas.

This TripAdvisor listing includes photos and reviews of both lighthouses.

Amazing views and lots to do!

By Brenda T |

The views from this area of the coastline are amazing. Took the tour of the lighthouse and was very interesting and even more amazing views from the top!

Definitely worth the stop

By abandcb |

One of the better parks we've experienced. Visitor's Center has a lot of good, interesting historical context for the lighthouse. Good trail system. Easy walk to the ocean overlook (watch for the seals on the rocks) and on to the lighthouse itself. We thought it would be a quick stop and spent almost two hours.

Wonderful Old Lighthouse

By musicman77 |

This lighthouse is easy to get to. There is no guided tour and you can not go up where the actual light is at. The view is great and the site is a museum. There is a short video in the basement that is worth watching that sets out the history of the lighthouse.

Wonderful Lighthouse in Newport

By animalsrock2016 |

The lighthouse is a really outstanding thing to see. Go when the sun is setting and see a nice sunset with the lighthouse in background. Great to take pictures then. There is agate beach on the south and Beverly beach on the north. Easy to drive to it and walk around. Nice views of the coast.

A historical Oregon lighthouse

By John D |

The visitor center is very imformative regarding the lighthouse and surounding area. This area is of historical signicance on the Oregon coast. A beautiful area for hiking and coastal beauty.

Beautiful rennovation

By Carol |

The lighthouse is beautiful especially with the rennovations and the waves crashing on the rocks below.

Beautiful but super windy

By Rob B |

This is a great lighthouse, but it is a long windy walk from the lower parking lot. The staff is helpful and the welcome center is informative.

Historic and fun

By Robert H |

Great place to spend an afternoon! The sights are great and the tide pools fun. Nice spot for families with much educational information at the visitor center.

Visit a lighthouse from the past!

By Kelly G |

Very interesting being able to go inside and look back into the past of where folks lived while watching the lighthouses and raising their families.

Worth the Stop if you can find parking

By mark s |

While staying at Seal Rock, decided to drive along the coast awhile from Newport. Drive is great and it takes you up a couple of hundred feet over the beaches and the views are spectacular. Along the way you will see the stop for the lighthouse, which you can see from the highway. We tried to get in but the parking was a nightmare for anyone with a full size truck, so it was in and out. Can't tell you much about the lighthouse except..It's a lighthouse! But the drive to it was well worth it.

Beautiful spot to spend ~1.5 hrs

By PKtight |

There was a long line of cars to buy the entry ticket so I left my group and walked from the gate to the lighthouse ~20 min brisk walk. Totally worth it because I took the trail off the road and saw some lovely flowers / birds and viewing angles of the ocean.
TIPS -
1. Go early morning to avoid lines.
2. MUST GO to interactive center - no one told me that! I reached the lighthouse only to be told that I had to go back to the interaction center to buy tour tickets to visit the lighthouse. When I went back the tour was sold out and I did not have time to wait for the next one. So avoid disappointment by visiting the center.
3. It is surprisingly breezy - carry a jacket
4. If you want to see the tide pools, you have to time it for low tide. Again, no one tells you that and you assume the tide pools are always visible. Well - they are dependent on the tide :)
Njoy! The place is beautiful for thousands of birds you will see just chilling on the rocks. Its good even if you don't climb the lighthouse or see the tide pools - I couldn't do either

Amazing place!

By elizabethatapp |

Amazing place. Great gift shop (reasonable prices), clean bathrooms, whale watching, beach access. Small informative museum.

150 year old lighthouse on gorgeous Oregon Coast

By katelync930 |

We found this a really neat adventure. You’re able to get up close, and most days inside of the light house, and learn about the history of lighthouses along this coastline. It kept many fisherman safe for many years. There’s a path to hike up a hill and a nice observation deck to check out the crashing waves below. Various informational boards are posted around the area for you to glean facts about the use and history of the Yaquina Bay lighthouse.

Tiny lighthouse

By Stephanie G |

This lighthouse was only used for three years, but it has been well maintained. The house contains a free museum about the lighthouse and the rooms are decorated to look like they would have done when the lighthouse was functioning. You can't go up in the lighthouse, but you can get close.

The volunteer manning the door was very friendly and everything was free, so it would be worth a stop if you're in the area and have 30 minutes to look around.

Not to be missed.

By buckeye70 |

Do not miss driving to see the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse when in Newport. Views are spectacular. Whale sightings were a surprising treat.

Beautiful views!

By Denise P |

Worth the stop to look around and take some photos. Very windy but fun to explore on the beach area and watch the birds on the rocks.

Breathtaking!

By Holly M |

Imagining the way people had to live out here years ago is an eye-opening experience. Climbing the narrow staircase is a feat all it's own and I have the ;pin to prove it!

Don't Miss Out - Get your tickets in Advance

By Boisenb |

What an amazing place. The tour of the lighthouse was one of the best I have been on. The tour guide pretended we were on a job interview in the 1890's. He was great. We got there at 10 in the morning and there were only 4 stops left on the tour for the entire day. The tour is limited to around 30 on each tour and they are ran on the hour. The beach is always breathtaking. You can also hike down to tide pools and the beach.

Family visit with younger kids

By JMVC2014 |

Stopped in for 3.5 hours with our kids (9, 6, 4). Ample parking at visitor center, signed up for lighthouse tour (free with admission of $7 at the entrance gate). Sign up early - they filled up fast. Tour allows inside access to top of lighthouse. Saw a couple gray whales off the coast. Cobble beach makes for lovely rest stop and view of lighthouse! Easy walk from visitors center to lighthouse -- plus incredible views!

Who doesn't lobe lighthouses?

By Theresa P |

Area a little crowded. Beautiful lighthouse and grounds. Pretty windy and cool so take a jacket. We did not do ranger led lighthouse tour. There is restrooms, place for snacks, gift shop and adequate parking.

Whales watching up close and great lighthouse tour!

By jo1917 |

$7.00 fee unless you have a federal bureau of land management yearly pass or golden age pass. Sign up for the lighthouse tour at the information center, before going to the lighthouse.

Side Trip

By Ali K |

Very nice visitor center filled with information and fun for the kids as well. We didn't go into the lighthouse. It was sold out for tours. We walked the deck and enjoyed the views.

beautiful day

By james o |

very nice location, but can be quite a walk from the car park. There is a hike up a hill overlooking the lighthouse which is medium level of difficulty, but views are specacular.

More than a quick stop

By Sarah A |

We thought we would pop over, take our picture by the lighthouse and be on our way... boy, were we wrong! This is truly an outstanding natural area! There is a huge visitor's center where you sign up for the light house tour. It's free, but fills up. We signed up and then went for brunch while we waited. We toured the lighthouse, checked out the awesome tide pools and baby seals on cobble beach and wished we had more time. This was a stop well worth the extra time we didn't plan on!

Very enjoyable

By Robert A |

The BLM tour gude did a good job portraying the lives of lighthouse workers and their job keeping the light on. It was most enjoyable.

Take a walk and enjoy the looks

By Tom I |

The park is wonderful.
I still am not certain what the tall tower near it is.
There are many places to picnic in the park, lots of hiking/walking trails. Take you time and enjoy the sights, then when you get hungry head down to Bay street and grab some fresh seafood.

So much fun!

By flyfish0102 |

Took a tour of the lighthouse (be aware - you MUST sign up for a time at the interpretive center) and it was a great decision! The tour guide was entertaining and the climb to the top was worth it! Beautiful!

Don’t miss this.

By MJJJB |

A favorite stop in Newport. All lighthouses are beautiful. This one is excellent. Take a picnic on a nice day. You might see whales in the spring. Tide pools too! Fun place for the family.

Must Do!

By jimdandyofor |

We grew up an hour from here and have come almost every year. The tide pools are amazing at low tide and the light house is an amazing and well preserved piece of our local history. It's setting is breath taking. The walk up to the top of the hill is well worth it on a clear day, and the staff are well informed and very kind.

Lighthouse

By Julie K |

It's a lighthouse. It's nice and there are sea lions to watch. But it costs $7 a carload to get in and we paid only to find out once we got to the lighthouse that it wasn't open for 2 more hours. So be cautious.

Our Favorite Lighthouse!

By mtzennmaster |

You won't want to miss this small and historic lighthouse if you find yourself in the Newport area. The docents in the cottage and the volunteers in the basement shop are eager to help you understand the history of lighthouse and the folks who lived here. While this light was really only used for three years, until its bigger sister, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse was completed, it is a wonderful window into the past that should not be missed. The park surrounding the light and access to the beach make a wonderful stop for a picnic.

Enjoy the Lighthouse View and Watch the Whale Swim Past

By Ernie S |

I am an avid photographer, hiker and wildlife lover and Yaquina Bay Lighthouse was the perfect place to pursue all three of those interests.
The lighthouse is one of the most scenic along the West Coast, with great views down the coast toward Nye Beach and the rocky coast to the North.
Surrounding the lighthouse are many trails, offering opportunities to enjoy the scenery but also spot lots of wildlife, including nesting birds and seabirds.
As you walk the trails you should also keep an eye on the nearby surf. On our visit we spotted five Humpback whales flipping their tails and spouting. Locals told us that they stay there much of the year, so be on the lookout during your visit and you may get a nice whale show offshore.

Neat location

By Paul L |

This is a small lighthouse that was. Used for a small period of time. Would have been nice to go all the way to the top. It is an interesting lighthouse in a location with an amazing view

Breath taking views

By AJ S |

Easy to find. No charge for beach access. Step are in good repair. We walked on the beach and enjoyed the water. The beach was clean. It was nice to be able to park and access the area with no fees. We did not take the tour of the lighthouse. The weather was so nice, we spent all of our time outside on the beach. Traveled with a pet and he loved it.

Sad little lighthouse needs some TLC

By eatsleeptour |

We love lighthouses. We try and visit as many as we can when vacationing along the coast. We stopped to see Yaguina Bay lighthouse. It is a sad little lighthouse - probably the worst we've ever seen. It definitely needs some TLC. We weren't able to go inside due to Covid restrictions. The Heceta Head and Yaguina head lighthouses are so much better. The good news - it's free to go look at it.

Interesting stop - cool old lighthouse

By ManOfC0nstantS0rr0w |

Off the road loop takes you here, good view of the lighthouse, but you cannot get in.
Unknown why someone said this was a paid experience- free for us, nice ocean views too. Park is worth a walk - bring water.

Beautiful Sights

By fredinmn |

Stopped just as a rainstorm was ending and caught beautiful sights of the lighthouse. Such a wonderful view. The visitor center was wonderful and full of insights around the lighthouse and the area including a couple of different movies. Many activities for the kiddos and a small gift shop as well.
Was also able to walk down to the shoreline and observe as the tide went out. Very neat experience and well worth the trip down the stairs.

Beautiful piece of history.

By olboodog |

You can always get that perfect picture of the lighthouse. You can walk around it and there are tours given but you have to purchase the tickets at the interpretive center. It's a working light house but done remotely by the coast guard. It was interesting to learn about it's past and what it looked like way back when, but all the buildings are gone and only the lighthouse remains. You get an excellent panoramic views of the ocean. Disability has special parking but is very limited and seems to be always full. There's a wide path but there are steps behind the lighthouse that go up to a viewpoint platform.

Historically significant lighthouse

By Kay M |

Lighthouses are all pretty significant. This one was built in 1871 and is supposed to be the oldest structure in the city of Newport. It is also the only Oregon lighthouse with living quarters attached. It is easily accessible after crossing the Yaquina Bay bridge which is also historically significant. There is plenty of parking around the lighthouse and areas for picnics. Entrance is free but donations are appreciated. There is a short video and a nice gift shop downstairs.

It's just a lighthouse...

By Desert__Duo03 |

Don't have high expectations for the lighthouse and you won't be disappointed.
We did not do a tour. Maybe it would have been more enthralling.
Parking can be a limited during peak times. We did see seals on the Rocks below

Intriguing Light House and Ghost Story

By John P |

Visit the Yaquina Bay Historic Lighthouse for an experience in Newport's important nautical history. The lighthouse is one of the few remaining lighthouses in the US that had the keepers quarters and family residence part of the light itself. The other I know of is Brother Light in San Pablo Bay in The San Francisco Bay Area. Period clothing and implements fill each room and you can even ascend the stairs nearly to the light room itself. A friendly, knowledgeable staff will happily answer questions. Don't miss it.

Great Ocean Views

By Tom P |

My wife and I were traveling the Oregon coast and spent the night in Newport. We mad an afternoon trip the lighthouse and enjoyed the great ocean views.

More than just a lighthouse.

By Geoff7752 |

Great venue with great views of seals and whales and historic lighthouse. Excellent visitor centre with many objects about its history and expansion.

Awesome ocean views but just another light house

By ACSquare |

The ocean view points are breath taking! It’s super windy so pls go prepared !

The light house is ok, although we did not go inside as such !

It’s a must visit just for the breath taking ocean views!

Not open during posted hours on Saturday 6 Apr at 100pm

By 253Aaron |

Not open during posted hours on Saturday 6 Apr at 100pm. We checked the website and signs in front to make sure we had the right day.

A Different Type Lighthouse

By Len |

We visited this lighthouse which has the light keeper’s house attached. You could tour the house and see how it would have looked in the past. There are descriptive signs in the Home explaining its features. This is a nice piece of history that I’m glad was preserved.

Beautiful sights

By Ranna Walls |

Beautiful sights. But alas it was closed when we went to see it and nearest guided tour was 3 days away. We wouldn't be around then. Staff were excellent very knowledgeable.

Beautiful site!

By nabeab |

Thisvold lighthouse is also a museum, we did not do the tour, but went down to the beach and were lucjy enough to see a whale.
We went early around 10 am and the weather was beautiful too!

Great site and easy to get to.

By mark j |

Beautiful day to drive out to the light house. Was very cheap to get on. Trails are well kept up and parking is easy. You really can see for miles on a nice day..

Everything But the Lighthouse

By FWIW503 |

Super crowded, so allow plenty of time. We were really disappointed to find out we could not go inside the lighthouse. Somehow we missed that in the promotional literature. We enjoyed the interpretive center and we got a terrific workout climbing all of those stairs down/up from the beach where we were delighted by some close in seals.

Historic lighthouse

By TryitYoullLikeIt |

The lighthouse is of the style that combined the keeper's house with the lighthouse and it's open to visit. Some period pieces show how the family lived and worked.

Lighthouse

By Sarah T |

I'm still not sure why this is a paid experience as you can't go IN the lighthouse like you can others. Giving 3 stars because the interpretive center was cool

Yaquina Lighthouse Tours

By Tony Y |

Book your Yaquina lighthouse tour before your trip because they fill up real quick. There is little or no chance to sign up while there. Spend the $1.50 per person and sign up online rather than risk standing in line the day of the tour.

Very nice and picturesque.

By WolfgangRoberson |

Stopped in here while driving up the coast. Wife is a lighthouse buff so she truly enjoyed it more than I did. The recreation and restoration was especially neat and to see how they lived back then and also the weight of keeping ships from crashing was a heavy weight to bear. Kudos to lighthouse keepers through the years.

Worth the trip

By P D |

The museum is very informative. The walk to the lighthouse was nice, ocean was beautiful. We were unable to go inside the lighthouse because there was not enough staffing, so that was a bit disappointing. There were whale watchers outside the lighthouse which was interesting. Overall, thoroughly enjoyed our visit- well worth the trip.

Historical lighthouse

By 97701traveler |

This historical lighthouse has rooms that are filled with authentic clothing and artifacts from the time it was working. It was a lighthouse for only three years and has been a home and then state park. It is very well done. You can take a self guided tour which includes a film that you can watch as well as a gift shop.

Very picturesque!

By Donald C |

While on vacation we noticed this lighthouse off in the distance while we were walking around close to the beach in Newport. We decided to go visit.

After paying the entrance fee, we drove up the winding road with spectacular views of the Oregon coast until we came to the main parking lot of the light. There were viewing areas with the pay binoculars and stairs leading down to the rocky beach. A trail led up to the top of the grounds where I suspect the unobstructed view was really spectacular (we didn't hike it though.). The lighthouse itself was just a short walk away. Very pretty and makes for spectacular photo's!

There are viewing platforms around the light overlooking rocks covered with different species of birds. On the day we were there, there was a whale swimming around feeding in the bay and causing quite a stir. (It is noted for it's whale sightings here.) We also saw sea lions resting on the rocks below.

Definitely worth the time to explore this beautiful site.

Whale watching and a great ocean view with beach access

By Jeff G |

My wife and I visited the lighthouse after having been there before several years ago. The view from the lighthouse is stunning. We climbed a hill behind the lighthouse called salal hill. We saw whales spouting and enjoyed a couple of whales spouting and then diving back down so that the back of the whale could be seen. There were lots of cormorants and other birds on the cliffs. The surf was high and the crashing waves spraying high above the cliffs was mesmerizing. We walked down to the cobble beach. There is tide pooling at low tide but we weren't there at a low enough tide. We loved hearing the "rain stick" sound as the waves pushed the rocks up and then the sound came as the rocks shifted back down again.
There is a visitor center where you can sign up to tour the lighthouse but we chose not to do that activity. We spent close to two hours viewing the roiling surf and the whales. We will return.

such an interesting history, welll preserved

By blaklinedesigns |

Loved the talk by the ranger of the history of storms and rescues at sea. the light still shines for boats at sea

Beautiful lighthouse and visitor center!

By Momof3boys11235 |

On our Oregon coast trip, we really loved this stop. It was fun to read all about the lighthouse and the area. The visitor center is very well done! The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is because I wish they had more tours. It opened at 10:00 and the only tours for the day which were around 1:00 and 3:00 or 2:00 and 4:00 ( I can't remember) were booking up quickly. We had to get back on the road and didn't have the chance for a tour. We still greatly enjoyed our visit however!

Lighthouse Fun

By Jerry |

Loved the various views that were to be had. Beach, lighthouse, whales wowzers!. There is a day fee to enter the park area, but there is a lot to see. Great for friends or a little romantic get-away.

Lots of beautiful scenery!

By Mindy19492015 |

Gorgeous piece of history! Made the whole climb 114 steps! Beauty scenery and a great place to take pictures! Cute little gift shop with lots of souvenirs!

The Old Lighthouse in Newport

By montanaJIm |

There are 2 lighthouses in Newport and this was the first. A wood building that served as the residence and lighthouse. You can tour the building for free and see some of the living quarters.

Neat lighthouse

By penahill |

The views are spectacular and getting to the lighthouse is easy. It is a short walk to the lighthouse from the parking lot but tours are only available from 11-4. As you can see the house where the light keeper lived needs a lot of work. Did not get a tour seeing we were there after 4pm. It appears it is not a functional lighthouse. It is neat to see so if you are in the area please stop by.

GREAT LOCATION TO VISIT

By Eric H |

Last year my wife and I flew to OR from FL to visit our family in Lincoln City. We were so impressed driving down the Or coast, and came across the lighthouse.
Being a professional photographer who loves lighthouses, we stopped to visit.

Perhaps because of the time of year, we were greeted with some very aggressive flies/or flying bugs that were unbearable and had to leave the area.
but not before I hiked down to the water and got some beautiful shots of this breathtaking location.
if not for the flies, we would have stayed a few hrs more as the photo ops were great.

Historic and classic Lighthouse! Unbelievable full of history!

By CynthiaOregon1 |

The walk from the tourist center to the lighthouse is beautiful. You can see the plantlife and the ocean. Great spot to see whales. Don't miss it!

Absolutely Beautiful Lighthouse

By tzirkle |

Anyone who doesn't take the time to walk the beach and visit this outstanding lighthouse; just wasted their Oregon vacation!.. I had the pleasure of watching the lights come on as the evening fog rolled in across the ocean bay.. OUTSTANDING!

Yaquina Head LIghthouse

By Deb1028 |

Take time to walk the tide pools with sea life that is amazing! The lighthouse trail is a short trail to a beautiful lighthouse that was first lit in the fall of 1873. It is Oregon's tallest lighthouse and also a great area to see all the seabirds.

There is a ranger led tour

Day trip

By J T |

Nice visit with a couple of trails. Lighthouse tour only offered in the afternoon, but nice. Nice visiters center. Plenty of wildlife. Whales, falcons. Nice views. Worth a stop.

Well worth your time to visit

By Rhonda H |

This is a great lighthouse. There is a museum of sorts there and a film you can watch to get the history of this lighthouse. They have guided tours of the lighthouse itself but you can walk from the museum to the lighthouse and enjoy the seals playing in the ocean and beautiful view.

A worthwhile stop.

By TravelNKA |

Very cool stop. They give you a nice guided tour with the history of the lighthouse and the area. We're very happy we stopped there. The visitors center was terrific as well. Two short films at the visitors center were quite interesting.

Such beauty!

By Holly F |

The Yaquina Bay lighthouse is a wonderful place to visit with family and friends. There is an interpretive center, the lighthouse and ride pools to visit. The lighthouse is open for tours as is the interpretive center, but there is such natural beauty around that even if you don't tour them you can have an enjoyable visit.

Yaquina Bay and Yaquina Head Lighthouses are two different places

By Adam F |

Many of the photos and reviews here are about the wonderful Yaquina Head Lighthouse on the north end of Newport. The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse (a state park), also wonderful, is right in town. The two are quite different. Both are worth a visit.

Good but not great

By RD789 |

Good lighthouse to visit if you have time to spare. Re-created keeper house to give some idea of work and life in that time period. Otherwise, your time is better spend at Yauina Head lighthouse where the views are better. Choose this location for historical info.

Great view in the morning

By ZMAN3411 |

We enjoyed stopping through here in the morning as it is a very nice view of the coast. The lighthouse is a great site to see and we loved reading about the history of it.

Gorgeous lighthouse!

By Emily B |

There is a fee to enter the park. There are also trails around the lighthouse. The tide was high when we visited and rocks below are very slippery. There are many stairs (over 100) leading down to the beach but I would say to skip it if the tide is high.

The lighthouse is beautiful though! We also saw several gray whales in the bay! We could have watched them all day.

There are restrooms across from the lighthouse and there is parking, including oversized, although it is limited. We had no problem finding a spot.

Love it!

By brushjumper |

We didn't go inside the lighthouse this trip but have in the past. It is very interesting but challenging to climb all those steps if you are elderly. Love taking pictures of it! This time we saw a gentleman painting his version of the lighthouse.

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, a short walk up to the lighthouse, no line for entry.

By Lanamamaomaha |

The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is a great stop in Newport, Oregon. You can take photos of the beautiful bridge as well. It is a short walk up hill to the lighthouse and you can enter without a wait. There is a short movie about the lighthouse history, great for history buffs. Stopping here never gets old. Great views from the lawn of the lighthouse. There was ample parking, but some spots may require a little walk to get to the base steps to the lighthouse. It is just around the corner from all the shops and restaurants on the bay in Newport. That area was pretty busy on a Sunday in early June.

Nice place to visit

By MwalimuT |

Easy access with an interesting history. Also, great views of the bay and jetties from this location.

Adorable!

By Chuang004 |

So beautiful and magnificent!
Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, 93 feet tall, is the tallest lighthouse in Oregon.
The Lighthouse, however, has a fuzzy beginning. It was called Cape Foulweather Light House in the beginning and started about 150 years ago. No exact time of built known to us. Then came the headlight. Yaquina Head Light was made by French and shipped to Oregon and in full serve/function in 1873. The formal name of the Lighthouse should be Yaquina Head Lighthouse, not Yaquina Bay Lighthouse as listed in TripAdvisor.

Great place to spend a couple hours

By Jesse N |

Awesome to watch the seals and sea lions on the shore from up close. Lighthouse a real classic.
Gray whales visible from the overlooks
Super find!

A very interesting site.

By Ken M |

This is in the Yaquina Head area. Stop in at the visitor center and sign up ahead of time for the tour(free with you enterance fee). You'll be given a pass with the time. A state park person dressed in the dress of the period will give the tour. It's a very informative tour and well worth the visit. Don't pass it up.

Historically and geographically sigificant

By Dolores O |

We enjoyed our visit even though we did not tour the inside of the lighthouse. The views of the coastline were spectacular.

Nice Park area with beautiful views

By DotsGirl2 |

We visited here on a sunny but cool day. The views are the most exciting aspect. The lighthouse itself is not really impressive. There were lots of spots to look out at the views and you could walk down to the beach if you want

Newport Oregon Lighthouse & Tide Pools

By RollTideRollAZ |

Travelling down the 101 of Oregon and stopped in here unexpectedly. $7 to enter but access to the grotto areas and lighthouse. Great views of the surrounding coastline and rocks. Tidepools accessible with seals close by on the rocks. Be careful not to step on the California mussels. No taking driftwood or rocks at this site. Access to the grotto areas as well. Restrooms at both sites.

Well-preserved piece of history

By BKern07 |

This lighthouse is restoration at it's finest! It is state run and staffed by very friendly and knowledgeable volunteers. I definitely recommend this self-guided tour for anyone visiting the area.

Neat piece of history

By MagnumBatt01 |

We have tried to stop at every lighthouse on the Oregon coast. This one was unique. Wood construction. Worth the side trip. There is a big watch tower right next to it and power lines all around that make photographs difficult.

Closed for repairs Aug 2020

By Cheyb29 |

A friend said this was the highlight of her Oregon coast trip and a "must see." We didn't expect to take a tour due to COVID, but it was actually closed for maintenance. We could get to the upper parking lot for a distance photo. The overlook was very pretty, but the stairs were also closed so we couldn't climb down to the beach either. It was nice, but a let down because of the hype. Maybe we’ll have to give it another chance on our next visit.

Great Views

By cohoman |

This visitor center offers informative displays about the lighthouse and local wildlife. They also have two short videos, each about 15 minutes long.

The lighthouse is about half a mile from the visitor center. When we arrived at the lighthouse parking lot, it was full, so we had to park along the roadside. Unfortunately, we could only view the lighthouse from the outside, as interior tours didn’t start until noon.

In front of the lighthouse, there’s a scenic vista point where you can watch waves crashing against the rocks. When we visited, a large group of whale watchers was gathered, hoping to spot whales migrating south.

Gorgeous area!

By Christina K |

Back cobble beach and sea pup with the backdrop of the pacific and light house ! A must visit when in NewPort.

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

By Jane S |

We toured the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse on the bluff overlooking the Yaquina Bay. We climbed the stairs to the lighthouse and toured the inside. In was interesting that the basement or lower area is now used as a "gift shop". It is cool and made of brick. The other areas of the lighthouse were furnished with period furniture so one could get a feel of what it would have been like for the "keeper" and family would have lived. We also found out that the lighthouse had been closed in the past and was almost torn down when a group of historians managed to have this lighthouse put on the National Registery and have preserved this part of the history of Yaquina Bay and the Newport, Oregon area.

Love to view this lighthouse from our hotel deck every morning

By Flyboywife |

This is an easy to access lighthouse and one wroth the visit. We go here every August and the. Jew is as beautiful as ever. Don't skip this if you are In the area

Scenic beauty

By Eryn M |

The walk to this lighthouse allows you numerous photographic opportunities along the way. The history of the lighthouse is fantastic and this is one place that I encourage you to visit.

A Great Break

By Barann36937 |

The lighthouse is a lovely stop along the Oregon coastal drive. Great views and a beach as well. Make sure you stop at the information center and reserve a trip to the top and visit the museum

Awesome views!! We lucked out with a "King Tide"!

By Mel L |

The views were amazing, we lucked out with a gorgeous rainbow. The walking trail nearby was an added bonus. We missed the "tour" of the lighthouse and went back the next day but sadly there was no tour that day. The surrounding "Heritage" area offers a lot and worth the visit as well.

Great hike? Super views.

By B B |

The Hike from the Ocean House B & B to the lighthouse is beautiful. You can see whales and silly tourests!

Great sunsets here!

By uostatechef |

Great place to get stunning sunset shots and it's adjacent to the Yaquina nature area with tide pools, whale sightings and tons of harbor seals sunning on the rocks.

Lighthouse

By Gretchen M |

Cute light house. Great gift store! You can walk down to the coast which was beautiful!! Have to pay admission fee but really it could be a quick stop.

worth to stop

By sgstrauss1 |

Nice place to visit, except in cold windy weather. Access to the lighthouse and was able to climb up to the light floor (could look into room but could not access). Got a up close view of the light system.

Worth the visit!

By Dawn B |

We always enjoy visiting lighthouses, but this visit was especially enjoyable. We had the luxury of seeing several whales.

Cute place to visit

By Sherrie C |

We visit this place every year. It's known too be haunted but I've never seen that. This particular light house you can go inside and tour. We always donate to the pot and sign the guest book.

Beautiful

By Beth B |

We have passed by this state park many times on our trips to Newport. This time we decided to go in. I’m so glad we did. It definitely is worth it. While we were walking on the rocks, we saw a pod of whales. The information center is also worth seeing.

excellent

By crn_jro |

It is a must see. The view is amazing. The lighthouse volunteers are very knowledgeable. Its like stepping back in time when you do the tour.

closed for renovations.

By Max R |

nice view of the bridge but no access to the lighthouse. nice small park for dogs and kids to play in

watch for the ghost

By Jeff G |

reported that it's a haunted lighthouse so when you go you may see a ghost. Parking lot gives good view of north and south jetties of the Yaquina river flowing into the ocean.

Next to amazing beach.

By Annaline |

This lighthouse is in the center of Newport, Oregon just next to the amazing beach. There are parking spots right in front of it on the street . We came here after 4pm so it was closed. But it is open daily between 12-4pm.

Beautiful lighthouse with truly outstanding nature area

By CyndyL |

I went to see the beautiful lighthouse, but was amazed by the natural area in the rocks below. The tidal communities were so much fun to explore and the rangers were great at answering all sorts of questions.

Great View and History

By Eric Y |

We enjoyed the view at the lighthouse. It is windy so wear a wind breaker or warm hoodie. You can look around lighthouse in addition to taking a free tour inside. Be aware there are no dogs allowed around the lighthouse although they are allowed leashed in the park. I recommend the tour for which you sign up at the interpretive center. You may have to wait but there is plenty to see while you do. On the tour, you get some history and get to walk up to the bottom of the light and pear up into it. You will not walk up to the tip top around the light. The spiral staircase is really cool and it is a long way up! I definitely recommend a visit.

Tide pools during low tide are spectacular

By hshumway |

Have you ever seen a black cobblestone beach or sea stars in brilliant orange and purple, sea anemones, mollusks? Head to Yaquina Bay natural area to experience the colorful underwater world of the Oregon Coast. exposed during low tide. The light house stands as a protective sentinel on the Oregon coast meeting the most outstanding sunset colors painted in the afternoon sky. Remember to plan your trip at low tide to have the best tide pool viewing.

Sad to see it Boarded Up

By ramonalee3030 |

Always loved coming here and touring the historic lighthouse. This visit it was all boarded up. Very disappointing.
The trails out to the beach were very well kept and didn't take nearly as long to get out there as it looked like it would. It was windy though so we didn't stay long.

Sea Lions, Whales, and Lighthouse, oh my!

By AstroDiver |

We visited this iconic lighthouse that juts into the sea near Newport. The lighthouse itself would be worth a stop, but the craggy rocks surrounding the point are home to a colony of sea lions and flocks of birds, and as an added bonus there were several grey whales just off-shore, between and among the rocky islands. Any one of these would be worth a stop, but having all of them in one place makes this a Don't Miss destination.

Beautiful area to stop

By LisaMNUSA |

We walked around this area, looked at the lighthouse and the bridge. It seemed there are many trails here, we walked one of these that leading to the river, it leads a sand dune area, very interesting.

Beautiful historical marker!

By Rachel L |

What a gorgeous place! We always visit on our trips to Newport. So sad the gift shop closed. We always bought something to help support the conservation of this lovely place. But we still were able to donate to the collection box. Also, they took away the video that tells about the history of the lighthouse. We always enjoyed watching that on our visits. Please bring the video showing and gift shop back! The volunteers are always so friendly and eager to answer any questions we may have.

Evening at lighthouse

By pnwd0c |

Great views of sunset and great time of year without crowds. Access to nearby beaches are and picnic areas.

A nice lighthouse, cannot get close due to COVID-19.

By Davigeta |

This is the lighthouse in Newport, proper. Note that some of the pictures of this attraction are NOT correct, as they depict the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, which is over 4 miles north of this one. The Yaquina Bay lighthouse (the one in this review) was only in service for a few years in the 1870's. It is scenic, but you cannot get close due to COVID-19 at this time. Worth a quick visit.

Beautiful location for a lighthouse and for photography.

By Dick F |

This lighthouse sits on a promotory with excellent backgrounds if you are into taking pictures. The lighthouse is well cared for and the area around it is perfect foe animal and bird watching, including grey whales.

Amazing Storied and Historical

By Todd G |

My wife and I decided to get a closer look at this lighthouse. The history of this place is amazing... the life the caretakers must have had here... generations of people living a life few could imagine.
Life changing visit!

Closed (July 2020)

By Jenn W |

This area is closed right now due to COVID (July 2020), but it is still cool to walk up to it and check out! There are some short trails you can walk that go around it, and up to it. It was cool to look at!

Sightseeing

By wmcclay |

Closed monday tuesday, open at noon. It is a historic lighthouse and is interesting place to visit. The day use area is free to park. Great views of the bridge

Must See

By richard c |

If you're a lighthouse freek this is a great stop. Sign up for the tour at the visitors center which is the only way to get up and in the lighthouse itself. The tour last about 30 minutes in total.

Legacy

By Esteban cordero |

A lot of history in an old lighthouse which is small but full of things from the past is like a time travel experience worth to have!!!
The place is shutting down so hurry and take a visit.

Very much worth a stop

By David P |

The lighthouse is cool, but not the main feature. The "must do" is getting down to the beach, watching the seals, and enjoying the incredible nature. You can also hike up a hill for quite a view.

Beautiful lighthouse and surroundings

By K2Travels |

We stopped by Yaquina Bay Lighthouse today on our drive from Depoe Bay to Newport. There is an entrance fee of $7 to enter the area and although you can go to the base of the lighthouse, there are no tours at this time. The area is quite beautiful and even though it was cold, rainy and windy, we walked along the well maintained walkways to the base of the lighthouse. Worth the admission especially if you enjoy lighthouses as I do.

Worth it!

By Amanda B |

We stopped to see the sunset. The view was amazing and the light house looked beautiful. There were a lot of birds nesting past the overlook. Bring a sweater, it’s windy out there!

Fun stop to stretch you legs on a road trip

By Emkaye8 |

This was a free attraction (donations appreciated) and an interesting old lighthouse. You can almost all the way to the top. There is plenty of parking and the scene is beautiful.

Lighthouse

By William R |

We went and were told the lighthouse tours were full so we just drove up there and walked around. Never been to a lighthouse but it was beautiful and it was a little cool. The fog started to move in so we went back to our motel. This is worth the time to see.

Must do in Newport

By Marjorie C |

Cobble Beach is fascinating, enjoyed climbing the 100+ steps of the lighthouse, lots of trails, saw whales and sea lions (on our last visit)

Many reviews confuse this light house with Yaquina HEAD Light house

By alicerabbit |

First off, this light house is FREE and has ample parking. The building houses the light house and the living quarters of the light house keeper and his family. The period rooms are decorated nicely with items of the appropriate era (not original). Nice stop.

Unusual Lighthouse which is actually a House

By LMM |

Some say they've seen a lady ghost there. The lighthouse was only in operation for a few years (1871-1874) due to the newer Yaquina Head lighthouse being built.. Maybe the ghost never recovered from the disappointment. :0)..

Decorated with period furnishings

By royaljay |

The benefit of this lighthouse is in seeing the the furnishings that give a good sense of the life lived by the family in the lighthouse. Very well laid out.

Beautiful Day!

By Carol M |

So awesome to visit here...Tide Pools , Large visitors center..bird watching...great experience,,a must for Lighthouse lovers!

Got There Too Late To See Inside

By travelwriter52 |

I got there five minutes before closing so I didn't see inside. But I was fascinated by the history about it being the shortest lived lighthouse in Oregon. Also the view of the bay was beautiful.

The smells and sounds of my partner’s childhood...

By Kerry M |

...plus a chance to see cormorants, puffins, seals, and, improbably, a peek at a whale.

Add tide pools, a knowledge staff, and a chance to slow down.

Yaquina lighthouses are two -- the "head" and the "bay" lighthouses

By Edward L |

These two lighthouses are within 4 miles of each other in Newport. The "Bay" lighthouse is at the foot of the Yaquina bridge in the state park. Free admission to the park and grounds. Tours to the lighthouse itself is up some stairs and through a locked gate. There may be a charge for the tours. The grounds however overlook Nye beach and the scenic Newport harbor and you can get some spectacular views.

Great place for families

By Shirley G |

You won't want to skip this Lighthouse. Plan to stay several hours and enjoy a tour provided by a volunteer. The walkway down is very friendly for children and those a bit impaired. I was able to see several whales and the volunteer at the station provided so much information in an engaging way.

Plan your visit around the tides as during low tide you can actually go out and identify most if not all of the creatures on the sheet provided by the guides.

Of course going on a sunny day would insure a more friendly visit. But don't let wind or rain scare you away if your only here for a vacation visit.

Beautiful

By kapcat |

This is a beautiful area, & the lighthouse is worth seeing.
The flies were a terrible problem this year.

Small lighthouse

By capatti55 |

Check the website for Yaquina Bay State Park to get the current times that the lighthouse is open. Standing high on a cliff, the lighthouse overlooks the beach and Yaquina Bay inlet.

Beautiful Lighthouse

By Carl S |

Beautiful Lighthouse
Great View of the tide pools
The walk from the Parking lot was too far
There were way too many flies

A Visit to the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

By Robby G C |

We were lucky. The lighthouse was open. We first visited the dunes and then the beach, as well as the Yaquina bridge.

Then we went into the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. A nice man explained about the history of the lighthouse. He also showed us the beautiful views.

We explored the whole lighthouse. The living room, the beds, the kitchen and the beautiful flowers. There were lots of flowers that were meticulously taking care of them.

This is a must see!

Solid tourist spot on the PCH

By 24sportstv |

Very nice hour or two visiting this historic day site on the Oregon coast. The lighthouse is great, the beach is great and there's a top view of the bridge from there. All in its not spectacular but certainly worth a visit an about of your time and it's stacked in history.

Good point of interest.

Lighthouse & Whales

By Randal E |

1873 lighthouse. Also spotted quite a few whales or just one or two spouting & diving.
Parking close to the lighthouse & handicapped parking.
Walk down long stairs to the ocean or take a longer hike to visitor center.

If you are in Newport take the short drive to see the lighthouse.

By Mike M |

We are so glad we went to the lighthouse. After your visit to the interpretive center and getting you reservation for the lighthouse be sure to take the walk from the parking lot to the lighthouse. You will see so much more than driving. We were surprised to see how close the whales came in here, really close. Beautiful rugged coastline, you can take the stairs down to the water and climb on the rocks. The lighthouse tour was interesting and we learned a lot about life there when it was operating. Our tour guide was very good. Try and go on a sunny day to really enjoy the views

Self-Guided Lighthouse Tour

By Michaele Ann M |

This non-traditionally shaped lighthouse is no longer operational, but you can do a self-guided tour daily from 12-4 PM for FREE. The furnished lighthouse has been wonderfully preserved and offers great views of the bay. The adjacent park makes a nice place for whale-watching and a family picnic.

Well worth the $7

By David B |

Great stop at the Yaquina Lighthouse and associated area. The lighthouse is enough to see. However, we were there at low tide, so the tidal pool viewing was tremendous. Tons of anemone, sea urchins, and other tidal dwellers to see. In addition, behind the lighthouse is a viewpoint where you can often see whales. We saw at least 3 that were hanging out real close to the rock formations there, simply amazing to watch. This place is well worth your time and dollars, you wont' be disappointed.

Wooden Lighthouse

By WheelingTraveler |

It was an old lighthouse in operation for only two years before being put out of service. It has a wooden structure so it is definitely uncommon. It is not a tall structure and visiting it is free, but there is expectation for donation to keep this thing open. There were some old furniture and a kitchen inside; but I saw nothing exceptional to mention. It is not a must-see on my list.

Another lighthouse

By June P |

The views are pretty. The lighthouse is fenced off and not accessible. There are historical signs explaining the lighthouse. Lots of signs and the local birds.

Neat historic site

By JulieALS |

Interesting story. Fun to see. Only took about 30 minutes. One of several we visited, very unique compared to the other ones.

Great landscape

By Cafe_flore |

Worth it the visit. The lighthouse and the landscape are beautiful. Also when it's foggy. Recommended

What a pleasant surprise

By jaynerwilson |

We went to see the lighthouse, and ended up seeing so many different types of birds and a whale! The view from the lighthouse was beautiful. As we were looking at the ocean, a whale appeared. There were also so many varieties of birds sitting on the surrounding rocks. This was a beautiful spot.

Visit

By pdx432 |

Awesome lighthouse and surrounding areas for hike and photo ops. The visitor center is well done and very interesting. There is even a kids program. Sign up to walk up the lighthouse.

Beautiful setting

By westie2 |

This was an interesting stop both for the beautiful setting and the self guided tour of the keepers' family quarters. There is also a small gift shop.

The "Must See" lighthouse on the Oregon Coast.

By KeepCoastin |

This 93 foot lighthouse sits out on a bluff almost a mile into the Pacific ocean. The light and natural area surrounding it is managed by the BLM. Access is great along with parking for all sizes of vehicles. The steps take you into a panoramic view from the beach, breaking waves in the foreground and the light in all it’s grandeur standing tall against the Pacific Sky. Inside the lighthouse, the spiraling steps take you to the top of the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. The Fresnel lens flashes its unique pattern of 2 seconds on, 2 seconds off, 2 seconds on, 14 seconds off, 24 hours a day. The interpretive center and tours run daily. Don’t miss this piece of history.

9/19/17

By Kathy O |

Beautiful views, not raining which was a plus, windy yes. Lots of birds, waves outstanding. Parking was good, drove on another side road in park, better views of the water.

Oregon's wild, wonderful beauty in one spot

By Ernie S |

Super scenic spot, one of the most beautiful along the Oregon coast, but also a terrific place to spot whales, eagles and other wildlife. On previous visits we have enjoyed watching whales spout just off the beach, and on this visit there were Pigeon Guillemots diving from the steep, rocky cliffs and Bald Eagles patrolling the skies above, just waiting for a quick lunch.

Interesting view into the short life of this lighthouse/home

By Peggy K |

The lighthouse was only used for 3 years and was the home to the lighthouse family during that time. They have made a museum out of it with displays of how the family lived in that time.

Nice, well kept little Lighthouse on the Oregon coast

By Davis S |

It was foggy the morning we stopped at the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and the the lighthouse was closed but it was still worth the stop on our way south.
We saw a bunch of lighthouses from Seattle to San Francisco and this one was one of the better kept up structures. They do have tours, so check the website for days and times.

It takes a great picture.

By Have Camera, Will Travel |

We walked all over the area, trying to get about every photo angle we could. From the Lighthouse Trail, up the road a ways, you get a spectacular shop. I went up the Salal Hill Trail just a bit and got some excellent shots from there too. We did not go up into the lighthouse as it was jut too crowded. It is a beauty.

Wonderful Views

By Tom P |

The lighthouse was just a short drive from our B & B. The light house was interesting and the ocean views were outstanding. Definitely worth the stop.

Nice historical Light

By Jerry |

While out of commission, the lighthouse still operates a tour, that allows for a look into the past of a keepers life.

The view is real nice. To look out to the jetty end and realize it's over a mile away sets the mind to thinking.

Area allows for a number of various photo ops which can add real life to one's scrapebook or photo journal.

How things were.

By ricky827 |

It's hard to believe just hard things were back then we have it so good these days, one trip through this historic place and you will see, this is another place you must go too. It a climb but well worth it.

Beautiful on a clear day

By Kimgeenie |

I always appreciate the history of lighthouses. This is easy to access and visit, the views are beautiful- at night the light shines brightly and there are plenty of good photo options

Worth a visit

By barbaramX2897QY |

We enjoyed our trip to the lighthouse. It was a great view and we loved seeing the seals on the rocks and spotted some whales out in the water.

Beautiful lighthouse in amazing location

By Richard R |

The lighthouse is easily accessible by car, or you can walk from the visitors center. There are restrooms. It is perched high above the ocean so you get great views North, West and South. Bring binoculars and you may get to see whales. This attraction is well worth it. See it, enjoy it. Cheers.

A good stop for a good review of lighthouses and why they exist.

By Philip S |

We stopped to check it out and took the tour-and yes we did climb to the top-4 senior citizens. Another National Park and one of the reasons we need to ensure funding for our great park system.

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

By Jeneane S |

My first time to this lighthouse and it was lovely. The interior was so historical and the views are tremendous

Easy hike to a great lighthouse

By BRudy |

Pretty short easy hike up tot he most photographed light house. Light was closed due to construction so you couldn’t enter. Still worth the hike up. Great views.

The less spectacular of the 2 lighthouses in the immediate area

By Jim W. |

I did not realize that there are actually 2 lighthouses in this immediate area. As you drive north on Hwy 101 just across the large bridge, you come to the small Yaquina Bay State Park. We parked in a small lot and walked up about 20 stairs to a small light platform (maybe 2 - 3 stories high) and a small house presumably for the lighthouse keeper originally.

There were 2 rangers / volunteers seated at a table outside the house. They apologized that this place was closed for tours. I told them we just hiked up the short way for the view anyway. They offered a brochure about the lighthouses on the coast, which I accepted. I asked if they had any favorites. One replied, “Yaquina Head”. I thought she was referring to this place and trying to be amusing. I hesitated and said that we’d visited it. She then offered that Yaquina Head had replaced this lighthouse, so I realized it was a different place. I then confirmed that it sounded like we hadn't seen it so they described how to get there. It was just a couple of miles further north up the coast.

You can stop here if you like, but it was pretty modest. If you want the taller and more classic lighthouse plus a much more extensive visitor center, you should proceed to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse instead.

Foggy coastal Day

By 2rollon |

Friend and I were in the area exploring and I live lighthouses. Out side of the cold damp day the was a very nice lighthouse and surrounding area was scenic. If you go to the lighthouse and I highly recommend you do make sure you visit the tide pools also.

Working history

By Amanda I |

Great piece of working history. Eventhough it was closed due to weather and king tides we were still able to get some good pictures. Learning the history of this lighthouse was interesting. Worth the stop.

WOW.. WOW.. WOW... Just a really quaint place even when its raining !

By bridgeslane |

I am from Oklahoma, so water is my all time must see when I a visiting any State that has the ocean... Lots of trails and history... I would definitely go back if get the opportunity...

Nice for a short visit

By jaimeelsabio |

We hadn’t planned on stopping at the lighthouse, but decided to visit at the last minute. Since one couldn’t go in the lighthouse itself, walking around the grounds didn’t take long. The grounds and lighthouse are well maintained.

Interesting history of this "house/lighthouse" Was closed this trip, but we toured it in 2018 and climbed to top.

By brianh747 |

Interesting history of this light house and how it must have been for the families living there to tend the light many years ago. We like this stop as below it is a park area with ~6 heavy wooden picnic tables - perfect for us to bring our lunch take out and eat with social distancing during Covid 19. Lots of parking also and good view of channel to Newport marina.

Beautiful historic lighthouse

By hopeful1995 |

The yaquina bay lighthouse has so much history of the town. You are able to tour the home below the lighthouse to see historical facts. Hours of operation are from 12 to 4 beautiful sites and views

worth the hike

By kurt l |

Great parking. Tour available. Can hike to the structure itself (easy to moderate depending on health). Great photo opportunity. Plenty of parking.

Stately, with a great view!

By Ned K |

Well-done Victorian period furnishings, outstanding view of the Yaquina Bay entrance, lower-level small theater room and gift shop, all combine to make this a worthwhile stop and worth all the steps and uphill pathway to get to it

Spectacular view from this spot!

By Kaustuv Basu |

Our visit to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse in the last week of April was absolutely wonderful! This is truly a must-visit destination on the Oregon Coast. Prepare to be captivated by a stunning 270-degree panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean – it's an incredible sight. You can also easily access the beach below via a staircase right next to the lighthouse, perfect for a quick stroll. This spot is an absolute dream for photographers, offering countless opportunities for picture-perfect snaps. Even if you're on a tight schedule, make sure to set aside at least an hour to fully appreciate the beauty here.

Great lighthouse

By lightkeeper7 |

Enjoyed walking around lighthouse reading history and walking around the grounds. The story’s the Volunteer tell. Volunteer are great and know the history of lighthouse well,

9/19/17

By Kathy O |

Went to both lighthouses, beautiful, clean and great photo opportunities. Lots of flies, not able to stay out much due to flies.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse is a Magical Place

By Lynnette K |

This is a magical place. The lighthouse stands tall against the wide horizon on the cliffs of the pacific coastline! The view is spectacular and you can spot whales on the right day. They do give tours of the lighthouse. Wildflowers yellow and pink waving in the strong winds and the sound of seals below on the rugged rocks! This is a must see! Plenty of parking, the day pass is $7.00 but worth every penny. Cobble Beach is down a steep 4 flights of steps and is not easy access to the tidepools with the slippery and smooth rocks that lead out to the jagged shoreline but with the right shoes, good balance and determination it is doable and the reward is seeing Anemones, Purple urchins, starfish and crabs.

Fun day

By Heidi C |

Thought this would be just a quick stop, but we ended up staying all morning! The lighthouse tour was very interesting, even my teenage boys were asking questions and looking around. Down in the cove we were entertained for a long time with seals swimming near the shore and exploring tide pools. Then we climbed up the hill and got an expansive view of the whole area. So much fun.

Cool Lighthouse

By Steve S |

If you are in the Newport are this lighthouse is only a few short minutes from town. There is ample parking and the views are amazing!

Must see!

By Kristen |

Glad we made the trip - great views and hiking trail to get to the lighthouse. The OR coast trip turned into a lighthouse tour after visiting here.

Very Neat!!

By CarlieJo |

Very Neat Lighthouse!! it was a fun experience for the whole family! we even got to see whales from the look out!!