Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

Yaquina Head is a headland extending one mile into the Pacific Ocean from the Oregon Coast. The United States Congress named the 95-acre headland the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area in 1980. (Where do they come up with these names?) The area is administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). There is a very nice interpretive center (pronounced museum) that features exhibits on seabirds, marine life, and human history of the headland. The headland is home to a large number of waterfowl, and the Yaquina Head Light (lighthouse) is located on its westernmost point.

Park sign

Information desk
Yaquina Head Interpretive Center

Model of Yaquina Head Lighthouse

"Years of Discovery"

"Keeping the lighthouse"

Full-scale replica of Yaquina Lighthouse lantern

The ubiquitous gift shop

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

The Yaquina Head Light was originally called the Cape Foulweather Lighthouse. The light was initially lit on August 20, 1873. It's identifying pattern is 2 seconds on, 2 seconds off, 2 seconds on, 14 seconds off, then repeat. The tower is 93 feet tall, making it the tallest lighthouse in Oregon. A keeper's house and oil storage building were built at the same time as the lighthouse tower. A second keeper's house was added in 1923. All of the original buildings were demolished in 1984. Did I mention that the lighthouse is rumored to be haunted?