Umpqua Lighthouse State Park is a splendid spot that features a beautiful lakeside setting with plenty of exciting activities, a historic lighthouse, and 43 campsites, eight yurts, and two cabins. Located six miles southwest of Reedsport, Oregon, Umpqua Lighthouse State Park is situated within the larger Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (ODNRA), which is home to sand dunes up to 500 feet high. The 326-acre state park boasts incredible scenery that includes Lake Marie, where you can enjoy a tranquil setting while exploring this beautiful portion of Oregon.
Umpqua Lighthouse State Park was originally home to the Kalawatset Indian Tribe until European fur trappers entered the region. The Umpqua River was home to the first lighthouse constructed along the Oregon coastline in 1857. The original lighthouse was destroyed in 1861 by a severe storm and was finally replaced in 1894. Today, the 65-foot tower sits on top of a 100-foot hill overlooking Winchester Bay with a light that emits red and white, which makes the lighthouse the only one in Oregon with colored light.
Umpqua Lighthouse State Park is packed with interesting things to do that include fishing, hiking, and exploring sand dunes. You are allowed to use non-motorized watercraft on the tranquil Lake Marie. RV campers will be pleased with the numerous amenities offered in the campground, like full hookup sites.
The weather in Umpqua Lighthouse State Park is pleasant during the summer months, with average temperatures in the mid-60s and rainfall up to two inches. Winter brings colder temperatures in the 50s with a tremendous amount of rain that ranges from 11 to 14 inches per month.
Umpqua Lighthouse State Park is accessed from Oregon Coast Highway. The park is six miles southwest from Reedsport, Oregon. The drive south along the Oregon Coast Highway is not difficult, and RVers won't encounter any restrictions with their rigs. You will find plenty of turnouts along the way to use to keep the traffic flow on the highway steady. Once inside the park, you will be able to access Lighthouse Road, which will take you to the campground as well as the Umpqua Lighthouse. Lighthouse Road has several forks that you will need to navigate, which can be confusing. Stay to the left for the campground, and the right fork will take you to the lighthouse.
The road to the lighthouse has several more tight turns, which can be challenging for drivers with bigger RVs or trailers. As you drive to the lighthouse, be aware of bicyclists and pedestrians along the roadway. Lighthouse Road has several tight turns within the one loop one-way road of the campground, which can be challenging to navigate. You will find plenty of congestion during high season near the yurts and day-use parking areas. After you enter the campground area, please adhere to all posted speed limits. As you drive to your campsite, you may encounter bicyclists, pedestrians, and children playing in the roadway.
A few different parking spots are available for visitors to use when they visit the park. One is adjacent to the beach day-use area, and another is by the Umpqua Lighthouse Museum. Parking may be difficult to find during the busier months since the park tends to get crowded.
The Umpqua Lighthouse State Park Campground sites are divided into three different loops. These loops are close together and consist of a mixture of accommodation, including yurts, tent-only sites, and RV and trailer camping sites.
Loop A is situated near registration and consists of 10 RV and tent campsite with 30- and 50-amp electrical, water, and sewer hookups. The loop also features a single site offering only an electric hookup. Each campsite is furnished with a fire ring and picnic table. Sites feature paved parking pads, but they may require some type of leveling device for your RV or trailer. Site lengths vary in this loop from 35 feet to 56 feet. If you have a larger rig, make sure to try and snag sites 1, 3, 5, or 7. Each site can sleep a total of eight people per night.
The nearest dump station is 5.5 miles south at William Tugman State Park. Please do not empty full holding tanks into the sewer hookup at individual campsites. Centrally located within the loops are two separate restrooms featuring flush toilets and hot showers. Generators may be used in all three loops from 8:00 AM until 10:00 PM. Pets are welcome but must be restrained by a six-foot leash at all times.
A little way down the road from Loop A, you'll find loop B. This loop is made up of six deluxe yurts, a full hookup host campsite, and a tent-only site. Similarly to Loop A, the RV and tent-only site can sleep eight people a night. These two sites include a picnic table and a fire pit for campers to use. The RV site is suitable for a smaller rig, no longer than 35 feet in length.
The six deluxe yurts can each accommodate seven people at a time. Three of them are pet-friendly, and campers can bring along a maximum of two domestic pets at a nightly extra fee, but they should be kept on a leash during their duration at the park. The yurts feature a bathroom with a shower, TV and DVD player, microwave, refrigerator, and chairs, and a table. Outside, you'll find an electric BBQ, picnic table and a fire pit for your use.
Two of the yurts are ADA-accessible, and visitors who struggle with mobility should book them during their stay.
Playing on one of the many sand dunes is an ideal way to spend some time at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park. Located within the larger ODNRA, there are dunes of all sizes that are perfect for exploring on foot. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the sand dunes within the park, which make the dunes a haven for outdoor activities from sledding on the sand to building castles to shooting photographs of the incredible scenery. Take a piece of cardboard with you if you are interested in sledding down the sand dunes.
A must-do item at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park is to visit the lighthouse and Umpqua Lighthouse Museum. You can access the lighthouse by RV, bike, or foot from the campground with ease. Once inside, you will learn about the fascinating history of the historic lighthouse that was constructed in 1894 and towers 65 feet into the sky. The museum has numerous interactive exhibits that explain the cultural and natural history of the Winchester Bay region of Oregon. Umpqua Lighthouse is one of the handfuls of lighthouses that you can still go all the way to the top. When you visit, be sure to enjoy a tour and soak in the breathtaking views from the top.
Bicycling is quite popular at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park. There is plenty of room on the paved roads within the park to make for a splendid ride any time of day. You can choose to ride the Lighthouse Road and visit the museum as well as historic lighthouse or you can choose to cruise the campground. More experienced cyclists can also take the three-mile ride to view the Pacific Ocean at the Umpqua Beach Day-Use area. Oregon state law requires all bicyclists 16 years of age or younger to wear a helmet while riding.
Campers camping in Loop C can choose between two cabins, two yurts, eight RV sites with water and 30-amp electrical hookups, and 22 tent-only sites.
The RV and tent-only sites can sleep up to eight people each. Site amenities include a fire pit and picnic table. Campers will also have access to a restroom with showers and flushing toilets. The driveways are paved and can accommodate rigs ranging from 36 feet to 48 feet, so make sure to reserve a site that will be suitable for your rig. Campers are welcome to bring along their furry friends.
The two cabins are equipped with a futon and a double bed, able to sleep up to four people a night. Cabin amenities include chairs and a table, a covered porch with a view of lake Marie, a picnic table, and a fire pit. Guests will need to bring along their own bedding. One of the two cabins is pet-friendly.
Similarly, only one of the yurts is pet-friendly. Yurt visitors will also need to bring along bedding. The yurts are equipped with enough mattresses to sleep five people, but you can sleep up to eight people in each yurt. You can enjoy an outdoor picnic table and a fire pit during your stay.
Lake Marie is a fantastic freshwater lake that offers plenty of non-motorized watersport activities. There is a nice beach for swimming, and if you brought your standup paddleboard, the conditions on the lake are perfect for a relaxing paddle. Kayaking is also popular on Lake Marie, where you can paddle the shoreline while taking photographs of the interesting wildlife that lives around the shoreline of the lake. While you are playing in the lake, please be respectful of other people who might be fishing or just looking to relax in the beach area.
Fishing at Lake Marie is perfect for all types of anglers, so make sure you pack your fishing pole in your camper. You can access the lake by foot or by non-motorized watercraft, such as a raft. The lake is stocked three times a year with sizeable rainbow trout that are fun to catch. Fly fishing is also a great activity at the park, especially if you have a belly boat that allows for access to more secluded spots on the northeast portion of Lake Marie.
Hiking is a great thing to do at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park. There is a one-mile trail that takes you around Lake Marie that boasts excellent views of the surrounding scenery. Another fun trail is the Umpqua Dunes Scenic Area Loop, which is roughly 1.6 miles. Both trails are suitable for families and people with dogs on leashes. As you hike along the nature trail, make sure you keep an eye out for wildlife, as well as the numerous species of birds that call the area home. Another excellent idea is to take the nature trail and stop along the way for a picnic at a relaxing and secluded spot on the shoreline of Lake Marie.
