Photo by Alex Vosicka

Our lighthouse tour has included the Tillamook Head, Cape Meares, Yaquina Head, Yaquina Bay and Heceta Head lighthouses. Next stop…  the Umpqua River Lighthouse, located near the beautiful Reedsport/Winchester Bay area. Lodging accommodations include a lakeside resort  featuring RV & tent camping sites, yurts, cabins and water sport activities.

During your stay in Reedsport area, drive 6 miles south to Umpqua River State Park and you’ll find the Umpqua River Lighthouse located above the entrance to Winchester Bay. The original lighthouse was built in 1857 and was located on the north spit of the river and had the unique distinction as the first lighthouse commissioned on the Oregon coast. In 1861 after the sand had eroded under it, the original lighthouse fell into the river and was rebuilt on the south side. The current structure is a 65 foot tall tower with the light sitting 165 feet above sea level. The Umpqua lighthouse uses a distinctive first order Fresnel lens that consists of 24 bulls-eyes that emit a pattern of two white flashes, followed by a red flash 24 hours a day.

While there, plan on spending some extra time and tour the Coastal History Museum adjacent the lighthouse, located in a historic US Coast Guard station. It features additional lighthouse information along with local history and US Coast guard history on the Umpqua River.

Next up is Cape Arago lighthouse located just south of the North Bend Coos Bay area….

~ Thanks & have fun AT THE BEACH!