Oregon’s capes: Three Capes Route to Cape Perpetua
Headlands, lighthouses and blowholes on the central Oregon coast, from Tillamook’s Three Capes Scenic Route south to Newport and Thor’s Well.
- Distance
- 216 km (134 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 23 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 9
- States
- OR
- Updated
- May 28, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 216 km (134 mi) with 9 stops, from Tillamook to Florence. About 2 h 23 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Oregon
Route description
From Tillamook, follow signs for the Three Capes Scenic Route west around Tillamook Bay. Cape Meares has the shortest lighthouse on the Oregon coast, seabird colonies and the many-trunked Octopus Tree. The route then passes Netarts Bay to Cape Lookout State Park, where a trail of about 2.4 miles each way runs out along the cape to a clifftop above the ocean.
South of Sand Lake, the route reaches Pacific City and Cape Kiwanda, a sandstone headland with a huge dune and dory boats that launch from the beach. The loop rejoins US-101 south of Pacific City. Continue through Lincoln City to Depoe Bay, a tiny harbour where whales are often seen, and Otter Rock, home of the Devils Punchbowl.
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, just north of Newport, has Oregon’s tallest lighthouse, seabird rocks and tide pools on Cobble Beach; there is a per-vehicle entrance fee. Newport has an aquarium, a working bayfront and fuel. From here, US-101 is easy for motorhomes, but pull-outs at viewpoints are often small; use the larger state park lots.
South of Yachats, the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area has a visitor center, forest trails and rocky shores. Thor’s Well, a hole in the rock that drains with every wave, is a short walk from the Cook’s Chasm pull-out; go around high tide and keep back in big swell. Florence, at the mouth of the Siuslaw River, is about 30 minutes further south.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Tillamook
OR - 213 km
Cape Meares Lighthouse
ViewsTillamook, ORThe shortest lighthouse on the Oregon coast, on a headland with seabird colonies and the many-trunked Octopus Tree. It is on the Three Capes Scenic Route west of Tillamook; parking is free.
- 319 km
Cape Lookout Trail
NatureTillamook, ORA forest trail of about 2.4 miles each way along a narrow cape to a clifftop above the ocean, one of the best whale-watching points in Oregon. The trailhead is on the Three Capes route; expect mud.
- 416 km
Cape Kiwanda
NaturePacific City, ORA sandstone headland and big dune at Pacific City, where dory boats launch straight off the beach. Climb the dune for views of another Haystack Rock offshore, but stay behind the fences on the eroding cliffs.
- 564 km
Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area
NatureOtter Rock, ORA collapsed sea cave where waves churn into a rock bowl, best at high tide and in winter storms. At low tide you can walk into it from the beach below and look at tide pools.
- 69 km
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
NatureNewport, ORA basalt headland north of Newport with Oregon’s tallest lighthouse, seabird rocks and tide pools at Cobble Beach. There is a per-vehicle entrance fee; lighthouse tours are offered on most days.
- 76 km
Newport
OR - 848 km
Thor’s Well
NatureYachats, ORA hole in the rock shelf at Cape Perpetua that fills and drains with every wave, best around high tide. Walk down from the Cook’s Chasm lot on US-101, and never go close in big swell.
- 940 km
Florence
OR
FAQs
How long is Oregon’s capes: Three Capes Route to Cape Perpetua?
3-day road trip of about 216 km (134 mi) with 9 stops, from Tillamook to Florence. About 2 h 23 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Oregon’s capes: Three Capes Route to Cape Perpetua?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 23 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Oregon’s capes: Three Capes Route to Cape Perpetua start and end?
It starts in Tillamook and ends in Florence.
Which states does Oregon’s capes: Three Capes Route to Cape Perpetua pass through?
Oregon.
