Heceta
Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint
Heceta Head State Park (which includes
Devils Elbow State Park) is located in a cove at the mouth of
Cape Creek. There are picnic tables sheltered from the wind
and a great view of the ocean. A short trail leads to the
historic Heceta Head lighthouse and lighthouse keeper's house.
A recently-completed trail gives you a spectacular view of the
coast north to Cape Perpetua.
Heceta Head trail is part of a 7-mile network. Trails of
varying difficulty feature beach and wildlife viewing areas.
Wildlife refuge islands feature a view of puffins, cormorants,
gulls, and other bird nesting areas. Sea lions and whales can
be seen from the beach and cliff-top lighthouse.
On the west side of 1,000-foot-high Heceta Head, 205 feet
above the ocean, the lighthouse is one of the most
photographed on the coast. The light at top of 56-foot tower
was illuminated in 1894; the automated beacon, seen 21 miles
from land, is rated as the strongest light on the Oregon
coast. The historic assistant lighthouse keeper’s house (Heceta
House; built 1893) offers bed and breakfast rentals and
facilities for group events; call (541) 547-3696 for info.
Common murres, which lay their eggs on the bare rocks, can be
easily seen by looking down, just over the railing near the
lighthouse. Brown pelicans commonly fly by, as do bald eagles.
Migrating gray whales can be seen as they travel to and from
Alaska and Baja California. May is a great time to look right
down on the migrating mothers and calves as they travel close
to shore.
There are natural caves, tidepools, a sandy beach for building
sandcastles, and good conditions for surfing. There are plenty
of picnic tables for groups and areas to set up volleyball
nets.
Lighthouse Tours
March-April 2005 -- Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
May-September, 2005 -- Daily, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
August 6-14 is Oregon Lighthouse Week
Night Tours -- May 28; June 4; July 2; Aug. 6, 9, 11 and 13;
and Sept. 4
For more information, call (541) 547-3416. Please call to
arrange group tours. There is no charge for tours, but
donations for restoration projects are gladly accepted. The
lighthouse observation area open all year during park hours.
Tidepool Tours
Summer Kickoff Event, June 24-26
July 1-Sept. 4, tidepool naturalist available. Groups may call
(541) 547-3416 to schedule tidepool activities.
Services and Things to Do
- Picnicking
- Wildlife watching
- Bird watching
- Marine mammal watching
- Native plant
- Hiking trail
- Special events
- Interpretive events
- Forest
- Waterways
- Marine
- Beach
- Historic resources
- Lighthouses
- Historic signs
- Interpretation
- Interpretive tours
- Interpretive signs
- Year-round
- Restrooms
Park rates (subject to
change)
May 1 to September 30
 Daily
day use: $3
Yearly
day use: $25
October 1 to April 30 (Discovery Season)
Daily
day use: $3
Yearly
day use: $25
Get driving directions to this park
Vital stats
$3 daily day-use fee or buy a 12-month permit for $25, or a
24-month permit for $40. These
1-
and 2-year permits are good at all state park day-use
areas. The day-use fee is waived for visitors with a current
state park camping receipt. Call 1-800-551-6949 for
information.
| 
US 101, 13 mi. N of Florence 