Cape Blanco State Park on the Southern Oregon coast.

Cape Blanco State Park is off Route 101 north of Port Orford, Oregon. It is the southernmost of Oregon’s lighthouses and is the westernmost point in Oregon. Cape Blanco has mild temperatures year-round, with a record high of only 85 °F. Annual precipitation is high, but there is a distinct drying trend in summer. During winter storms, wind speeds can reach 70 to 100 miles per hour at the cape. Extreme winds at the cape and over the Blanco Reef make this part of the coast especially dangerous for ships.

Embarking on a journey to Cape Blanco State Park is an adventure filled with diversity. A scenic five-mile drive down Cape Blanco Road leads to the Lighthouse, a beacon of history and a must-visit attraction. The park, a treasure trove of possibilities, offers a range of activities to cater to all interests. From the thrill of hiking and horseback riding to the tranquility of fishing and beachcombing, there's something for everyone. For those who prefer a touch of history, the pioneer cemetery and the Hughes House, a Victorian farmhouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places, await exploration. And for horse lovers, there's a dedicated horse camp and a seven-mile horse trail to enjoy.

The Huges House. Constructed in 1898 for ranchers Patrick and Jane Hughes, the two-story, eleven-room, 3,000-square-foot farmhouse retains its Victorian feel. Tour the home to learn about early 20th-century farm life from knowledgeable volunteers. Tours are free; donations help fund the restoration and maintenance of the house. Tours: May 1-Sept 30, Wednesday-Monday, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (closed Tuesdays).

They want visitors to have a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Please be aware that, at present, the second floor of the Hughes House is not wheelchair accessible. However, they have made provisions to ensure that the ground floor of the house and exhibits on the surrounding grounds are wheelchair accessible. They appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you.

Cape Blanco Lighthouse. The Cape Blanco Light Station was built on 47.7 acres of land. A two-family dwelling was constructed for keepers' quarters, with fireplaces in each room for heat. Several small buildings were erected to house oil and other necessities.

The Hike in. The tower of the lighthouse and the short road from the lighthouse gate needs repairs. Visitors must walk a short distance from the entrance to the lighthouse.

This isolated lighthouse holds five Oregon records: it is the oldest continually operating light, the most westerly, and has the highest focal plane above the sea (approx. 250 feet). James Langlois has an unmatched tenure at any other West Coast lighthouse (46 years), and Oregon’s first woman keeper, Mabel E. Bretherton, signed on in March 1903.

Cape Blanco’s history is full of shipwrecks and lives saved. One notable shipwreck was the "J.A. Chanslor" (an oil tanker) in 1919. Of the 39 passengers, only 3 survived the collision with an offshore rock. A thick fog lay in, and some unusually harsh currents took over, throwing the nearly 5-ton vessel off course. This set in motion a string of events that wound up one of the deadliest shipwreck tragedies the Oregon coast had ever seen. In the snap of a moment, the Chanslor hit a rocky area just off the Port Orford area's Cape Blanco, resulting in nearly 30 men dying almost instantly and ten more braving harsh and gnarly seas, with just a few of them surviving.

The Greeting Center Gift Shop, formerly a garage when the U.S. Coast Guard had its headquarters on the grounds in 1945, was recently remodeled. It is located at Cape Blanco State Park, near the famous lighthouse. An informative interpretive center adjoins the gift shop, and knowledgeable volunteers are on-site to provide tours.

A visit to the tip of Cape Blanco and the Greeting Center is a lovely day trip that offers beautiful scenery and energizing hikes on the surrounding nature trails. Please exercise caution, as the wind at the Cape is quite intense at times. I would not recommend doing the short hike if you have balance issues or need assistance walking. It was extremely windy when I was here, and I tried to stay close to the side of the hike where there was more cover from the wind. There is no place to stay out of the wind on some of the hike, and you get blown all over the place.

PLEASE NOTE: The lighthouse is not wheelchair accessible currently, but the Greeting Center & Gift Shop is.

Cape Blanco Pioneer Cemetery. Cape Blanco Pioneer Cemetery, aka Hughes Family Cemetery, is on a road into Cape Blanco State Park. The graveyard was built around the local church (Mary, Star of the Sea) and contained various Hughes family members and primarily Irish immigrant neighbors. The church, now gone, was built by the first Hughes in the area and is discussed on the interpretive sign here.

The remains of the Hughes family and perhaps all of this cemetery's inhabitants have been removed to other locations. However, those stones still fit for display are located here, including the first Hughes American forefather, Patrick Hughes.

Some History. On Wednesday morning, September 9, 1942, the Imperial Japanese Navy submarine I-25 surfaced west of Cape Blanco and launched a small seaplane piloted by Chief Flying Officer Nobuo Fujita.  Fujita flew southeast over the Oregon coast, dropping incendiary bombs on Mount Emily, 10 miles northeast of Brookings.

After Fujita’s bombing run on Mount Emily, the I-25 came under attack by U.S. Army Air Corps aircraft, forcing the submarine to seek refuge on the ocean floor off Port Orford. The American attacks were unsuccessful, and Fujita was able to launch an additional bombing three weeks later.  Shortly after this foray, the submarine sank the SS Camden, the SS Larry Doheny, and the Soviet (Russian) submarine L-16.

Some food ideas.

I highly recommend Tasty Kate's for a place to eat. Kate has a great selection of pastries and serves breakfast and lunch.

917 Highway 101, Port Orford, OR 97465-8739

+1 541-290-4999

Another great place is The Crazy Norwegian's Fish & Chips. They have lunch and dinner hours.

259 6th St, Port Orford, OR 97465-9597

+1 541-332-8601