Perched on a dramatic headland along Oregon’s North Coast, Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint delivers some of the most striking coastal panoramas on the entire Pacific seaboard. The short, paved trail from the parking area leads to the historic Cape Meares Lighthouse, a squat, charming structure built in 1890 that once guided ships through these fog-laden waters. Inside, visitors can view the original Fresnel lens, still intact and mesmerizing in its craftsmanship.

Beyond the lighthouse, the headland opens to sweeping views of Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, where hundreds of sea lions haul out on rugged offshore formations and thousands of common murres, tufted puffins, and pelagic cormorants nest on sheer cliff faces. Bring binoculars — the wildlife viewing here rivals any along the Oregon Coast. Gray whale spouts are a regular sight during migration seasons in spring and winter.

The park is also home to the Octopus Tree, a massive Sitka spruce with multiple trunks splaying outward like tentacles, a genuinely strange natural wonder worth the short detour trail. Several accessible viewpoint platforms make this a welcoming stop for visitors of all mobility levels.

Cape Meares is a day-use site with no camping facilities. For overnight stays, nearby Cape Lookout State Park offers full campground amenities just a short drive south along the Three Capes Scenic Route.

Visit on clear days from late spring through early fall for the best visibility, though moody winter storms bring their own raw, unforgettable drama to this headland.

Explore Nearby

• Cape Meares Light — Lighthouse in Oregon
• Nestucca River Recreation Area — Public Land in Oregon
• Salmon Wild and Scenic River — Public Land in Oregon
• Tillamook Rock Light — Lighthouse in Oregon
• Grays River Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Washington