Cape Meares: Oregon’s Coastal Sentinel of History & Beauty
Perched on the dramatic cliffs overlooking Tillamook Bay, Cape Meares stands as a breathtaking symbol of Oregon’s rugged coastal heritage. Located just ten miles west of Tillamook, this headland is one of the crown jewels of the Three Capes Scenic Route, along with Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda. Today, it is a haven for sightseers, birdwatchers, and history lovers alike—but its story stretches back more than a century, entwining maritime history, Indigenous heritage, and the enduring power of the Pacific.
A Landmark with Deep Roots
Long before the lighthouse was built, the land around Cape Meares was home to the Tillamook people, who lived along the bays and rivers of this coast. The area was rich in fish, shellfish, berries, and game, and the Tillamook people had a deep connection to the land and sea. Oral traditions suggest that the cape’s unique trees and cliffs held ceremonial and spiritual significance, especially the ancient Octopus Tree, believed to have been used as a gathering or sacred site.
In the late 19th century, as maritime traffic increased along Oregon’s treacherous coast, shipwrecks became a frequent tragedy. The headland was named after Captain John Meares, a British explorer who navigated the Pacific Northwest in the 1780s in search of new trade routes. Although Meares never set foot on the cape that bears his name, his legacy lives on through this coastal landmark.
The Lighthouse That Guided Mariners
To protect sailors from the perilous reefs and fog that often cloaked the coast, the Cape Meares Lighthouse was constructed in 1889 and first lit on January 1, 1890. Built from locally quarried basalt and brick, the small but mighty lighthouse stands just 38 feet tall—making it Oregon’s shortest—but its perch atop a 217-foot cliff gave it a commanding presence over the ocean.
The lighthouse’s most remarkable feature is its first-order Fresnel lens, crafted in Paris in 1886 and shipped around Cape Horn to Oregon. The lens’s prismatic glass magnified the oil lamp’s light into powerful beams that could be seen nearly 21 miles out to sea. For over 70 years, the lighthouse served as a vital guide for mariners navigating the dangerous waters between Tillamook Bay and the Columbia River.
Life at the lighthouse was isolated but essential. Keepers and their families braved fierce coastal storms and long winters, ensuring the light never went dark. When automation arrived in 1963, the original light was decommissioned, and the lens fell silent—only to be later restored and reopened as part of Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, now managed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
Nature’s Masterpiece
Cape Meares is not just about maritime history—it’s also a sanctuary of natural wonder. The Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1938, protects over 130 acres of old-growth coastal forest. Towering Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and red alder trees provide habitat for owls, bald eagles, and migrating songbirds. The forest floor is carpeted with sword ferns and oxalis, while the salty breeze carries the distant sound of surf breaking far below.
From the viewing decks, visitors are treated to sweeping panoramas of Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, a cluster of sea stacks offshore that serve as a breeding ground for tufted puffins, murres, and sea lions. During the spring and winter migrations, gray whales can often be spotted spouting and breaching along the horizon.
The Legendary Octopus Tree
Just a short walk from the lighthouse, visitors encounter the Octopus Tree, a botanical wonder estimated to be 250 to 300 years old. This massive Sitka spruce has no central trunk; instead, it grows outward in thick, twisting limbs that resemble the tentacles of a sea creature. Its origins are shrouded in mystery—some scientists believe strong coastal winds shaped it, while local legend says the Tillamook people trained the branches to grow this way for ceremonial purposes. Either way, it’s a hauntingly beautiful sight that captures the imagination of all who see it.
Hiking, Picnicking, and Exploring
Cape Meares offers several short, accessible hiking trails that lead through lush coastal forest to scenic overlooks and historic landmarks. The Big Spruce Trail, for example, leads to Oregon’s largest Sitka spruce—a living giant standing 144 feet tall and nearly 50 feet in circumference, estimated to be over 750 years old. Picnic tables throughout the park provide quiet spots to relax and take in the sound of waves below.
For a longer adventure, visitors can continue along the Three Capes Scenic Route, a 40-mile loop that winds past some of the most stunning viewpoints on the Oregon Coast. Cape Lookout, just south of Cape Meares, offers hiking trails stretching five miles out onto a narrow sandspit with breathtaking ocean views, while Cape Kiwanda features sand dunes, tidepools, and the famous Pacific City dory boats
A Journey Through Time and Sea
Cape Meares stands today as both a natural sanctuary and a monument to Oregon’s maritime past. The sound of gulls, the rhythm of the waves, and the whispering of wind through spruce branches all echo the timeless relationship between people and the sea. Each visit offers a reminder that while technology may have replaced the need for keepers to tend the light, the beacon’s true spirit—guiding and inspiring those who wander the coast—still burns bright.
For travelers exploring Tillamook and the Oregon Coast, Cape Meares is a must-visit destination where history, nature, and beauty converge in perfect harmony. Come for a quiet walk through the forest, to watch the sunset over the Pacific and to stand before the historic lighthouse.
