The 8 Most Breathtaking Lighthouses In The Pacific Northwest

Lovers of lighthouses perched among picturesque landscapes have at least 32 reasons to visit the Pacific Northwest. With 11 historic lighthouses on the Oregon coast and another 21 in Washington (13 of which are open to the public), this corner of the U.S. is a lighthouse-laden destination that anyone craving a scene straight out of a postcard will want to add to their "must see" list. While all of them beckon visitors, we're bringing you eight that arguably boast the most beauty.

Today's lighthouses function as a "backup plan" of sorts for GPS and other modern navigational tools; they also warn approaching or passing ships about perilous shorelines peppered with rocks or razorlike reefs. The structures themselves act as visually pleasing time capsules, upkept also for the sake of their historic value, and several allow visitors and offer tours. And while the Pacific Northwest is full of scenic coastal vistas, there's something about the presence of a lighthouse that increases the magic. 

To compile this list, we looked at the lighthouses of the Pacific Northwest and chose ones that were especially visually attractive based on their architecture, color scheme, and natural surroundings. We also considered each structure based on its notable significance (tallest, shortest, oldest) alongside its beauty. Popularity was not used as a consideration, as the number of people who visit each year have no relationship with the beauty of a location, while upkeep of particularly notable lighthouses over the years can and does. We also consulted the official Washington State Parks website to discover the most visually-impactful trails and visitor opportunities, read Google Reviews to understand what visitors themselves think firsthand, and deep-dove through thousands of available photos and images provided by reviewers to determine which spots were the most visually pleasing all around.  

While you can hike through lush forests to arrive here, Washington State Parks notes the best spot to view the mysteriously alluring Cape Disappointment Lighthouse is from Waikiki Beach. When the winter tide is high and huge ocean waves crash dramatically against the peninsula, it's positively cinematic. Located about 2.5 hours from Tacoma, the lighthouse is part of Cape Disappointment State Park, one of the the best destinations to explore the Pacific Northwest. The hauntingly beautiful 53-foot beacon was built in 1856, making it Washington's oldest lighthouse. Interior tours are not available.

A cream-colored beacon standing against the cerulean blue of the sky and sea, surrounded by a hillside of green foliage, lands the North Head Lighthouse onto our list like something from a sailor's dream. Also located at Cape Disappointment State Park, it's open for tours during the summer. The lighthouse is closed October 1 until April 30, and children under 7 years of age are not permitted to climb the lighthouse stairs. Strapless sandals and flip-flops are verboten for safety reasons. Want to spend the night? The lighthouse keeper's home is available to travelers.

Perched among green foliage and lush surrounding hills of a national wildlife refuge, the bright white Cape Meares Lighthouse with its gleaming red lamp contrasts wonderfully with the deep blues of the water and sky, creating an unforgettably iconic image. Located at the north point of the Three Capes Scenic Route and first lit in 1890, it's known for its size, but not how you might expect — it's the shortest lighthouse on the Oregon shoreline, coming in at just 38 feet. Admission-free, visitors are welcome daily from May through September.

Hidden on a forested cliffside, surrounded by trees and coastal rolling plains, the Admiralty Head Lighthouse on Whidbey Island features decorative ironwork, graceful archways, and a bright red roof — all elements of its Spanish Mission architectural style. Built in 1903 at Fort Casey as a replacement for another lighthouse from 1861, today it serves as an educational establishment. Fort Casey Historical State Park is open year-round, so you can admire Admiralty Head from the outside any time of year. Interior tours only take place on summer weekends. Call ahead to plan your visit. 

Nestled up high on a deep green, painterly seaside cliff, the Heceta Head Lighthouse is open to visitors year-round — but in spring and winter it's a picturesque place to spot whales during migration seasons. Its light first shone in 1894, and is visible from more than 20 miles offshore, making it the most powerful lamp on Oregon's coastline. Heceta Head Lightkeeper's House bed and breakfast is also one of the most charming coastal and island lighthouses you can stay in! Remember: A state park day-use parking permit is required to visit. 

Rising up above a rocky cove against an ideal ocean sunset backdrop, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse first shined its beacon in 1873, and it has the distinction of being the tallest lighthouse in Oregon, coming in at an impressive 93 feet. While the interpretive center is open year-round, tours of Yaquina Head Lighthouse take place in July and August exclusively. You'll need a daily (or annual) Yaquina Head pass, an Oregon Pacific Coast Passport, or a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass to visit. 

Hidden up at the Northwesternmost point of the continental U.S. on lush, emerald-green Tatoosh Island is the Cape Flattery Lighthouse. It was lit in 1857 and measures 65 feet tall. While the island and the structures on it are closed to the public, by hiking the Cape Flattery Trail five miles west of Neah Bay, visitors can get excellent views of the lighthouse — hikers will need a pass from the Makah Tribe to access the hike. Some private companies also offer boat tours to admire it from the water. 

Situated on a grassy hill on Oregon's coast — with the perfect vantage point for stunning sunsets — is the lighthouse known as the Cape Blanco Lighthouse. This 59-foot-tall beauty was built in 1898, including a Victorian farmhouse that can be toured from July through September. While the road up to the lighthouse is not open to the public, you can walk from the gate to the lighthouse to have a closer look and capture its beauty. Craving more? Explore the most beautiful lighthouses on the West Coast.