Desdemona Sands Light stands at the confluence of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean near Astoria, Oregon. Built in 1901, this modest lighthouse guided vessels through one of the most treacherous river channels on the West Coast, an area infamous for its shifting sandbars and violent currents. The light was decommissioned and is no longer active. The structure is not open to the public and cannot be climbed, but it can be viewed from the water or nearby shoreline. Golden hour and misty mornings offer the best photography conditions, capturing the moody Pacific Northwest atmosphere. While in Astoria, visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum, the Astoria Column, and Fort Stevens State Park.

Explore Nearby

• Fort Stevens State Park — State Park in Oregon
• Sunset Beach State Recreation Site — State Park in Oregon
• Grays River Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Washington
• Schafer Farm Bridge — Covered Bridge in Washington
• Nestucca River Recreation Area — Public Land in Oregon