Skip to main content
Usitour
Sightseeing

Umpqua River Light

📍 Umpqua River Light, Oregon, USA
No photos yet
3.5/ 5.0
★★★★☆

Introduction

The Umpqua River Light stands on the north bank of the Umpqua River mouth at Winchester Bay on the southern Oregon coast, first lit in 1894 as the first lighthouse built on the Pacific coast of Oregon and one of the few West Coast lights still using its original first-order Fresnel lens. The existing 65-foot red-and-white cylindrical tower was rebuilt in 1907, automated, and emits a distinctive alternating red and white flash. The surrounding Umpqua Lighthouse State Park offers camping and trails adjacent to Winchester Bay and Pacific beaches, making it an excellent base for whale watching, seabird viewing, and sunset ocean vistas. A museum operated by the historical society displays keeper family artifacts and U.S. Life-Saving Service history. Combining maritime heritage, wild coastline, and forest ecology, it is a classic stop on an Oregon Coast road trip.

✨ Highlights

1
Historic Lighthouse
First lit in 1894, Oregon's first coast lighthouse
2
Fresnel Lens
Retains its original first-order Fresnel lens
3
Red-and-White Tower
65-foot red-and-white cylindrical tower
4
Red-White Flash
Distinctive alternating red and white beam
5
State Park
Surrounding campground and trails
6
Whale Watching
Adjacent to Winchester Bay and Pacific beaches

🛈 Practical Info

→Hours：Museum 10:00-16:00, park open all day
→Admission：State park $5 per vehicle, museum free
→Parking：Parking within the park
→Transport：Drive along US-101 to Winchester Bay
→Facilities：Campground, museum, trails, and interpretive signs

💡 Tips

• Red-white flash is most striking at night
• Spring and fall migration seasons are best for whales and seabirds
• Reserve campsites early, summer fills up
• Combine with Umpqua Lighthouse State Park
• Link with other Oregon Coast lighthouses along US-101

FAQ

Any practical tips for visiting Umpqua River Light?

Red-white flash is most striking at night Spring and fall migration seasons are best for whales and seabirds