Located at the state's westernmost tip, and perched over the Pacific Ocean, Cape Blanco features a 19th-century lighthouse and an early Irish settler's home. Use our private, sheltered campsites as your base camp while you enjoy the park's history, trails and rugged coastline.
More than eight miles of hiking trails lead to the beach, viewpoints of ocean vistas, fishing spots along the Sixes River, and the lighthouse. On horseback, follow a seven-mile trail or enjoy a 150-acre open riding area across from the horse camp.
The road to the lighthouse is closed for public vehicle use. Visitors may walk a quarter mile from the gate to view the exterior of the lighthouse and to visit the grounds.
The Lighthouse Greeting Center Gift Shop is open April 1 through Oct. 31, Wednesday - Monday, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (closed Tuesday). Please visit the Cape Blanco Historical Society website or Facebook for more information. Built in 1870, Cape Blanco Lighthouse is the oldest standing lighthouse on the Oregon coast and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Constructed in 1898 for ranchers Patrick and Jane Hughes, the 3,000-square foot farmhouse retains its Victorian charm. Tour the home to learn about early 20th century farm life from knowledgeable volunteers. Tours are free; donations help fund restoration and maintenance of the home. Tours: July 1-Sept 30, Wednesday-Monday, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (closed Tuesdays).
Both sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and supported by the Cape Blanco Heritage Society in cooperation with Oregon State Parks.
The horse camp offers eight reservable sites—six with dual corrals and two with quad corrals. Those with additional horses can trailer-tie them or use portable corrals. Horse camping sites are only for visitors camping with their horses or other pack animals. Each site must have at least one horse or pack animal associated with it.
Book sites up to six months in advance at our partner site, oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com.
Cape Blanco may have been the "white cape" sighted and named by Spanish navigator Martin de Aguilar in 1603. By the early 19th century, the name Cape Blanco was commonly shown on maps. In 1867, the US government purchased the headland from John and Mary West for the site of the navigational beacon. Built in 1870, the 59-foot tower is the oldest lighthouse remaining in Oregon. Built atop the headland 245 feet above the sea, the light is visible to ships 22 miles away.
The park land was purchased from the Joseph N. Hughes Estate in 1971. The park land historically was settled by Patrick Hughes, a native of Ireland, who came to the place in 1860 and developed an extensive dairy farm, which spread into bottom land along the Sixes River on the north side of the cape. The spacious house that Hughes built for his large family overlooking the Sixes estuary in 1898 is all that remains of the ranch complex.
The Oregon Historical Society and the Cape Blanco Heritage Society have more information about Cape Blanco's history.