Two Oregon Lighthouses to Offer Rare After Hours Tours

Both tours celebrate the colorful local history of these grand constructs, providing an unique opportunity to experience them up close.

The Yaquina Head Lighthouse in Newport, Oregon is the tallest lighthouse in the state. Photo: Kevin Hays Salem-News.com

(NEWPORT, Ore. ) - The two lighthouses that call Newport, Oregon home, will feature rare after-hours tours in August.

The first happens August 7, part of National Lighthouse Day, spotlighting the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. The second happens on August 20 at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, in honor of the landmark's 141st birthday.

Both tours celebrate the colorful local history of these grand constructs, providing an unique opportunity to experience them up close.

The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse tour on August 7 goes from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Lighthouse interpreter Sylvia White will be on hand to give a guided tour, or visitors may choose to view at a self-guided pace.

An informational video will be shown, and the downstairs nonprofit gift store will be open. Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is located in Newport on Government Street overlooking Yaquina Bay State Park.

Then, on August 20, Yaquina Head Lighthouse celebrates its 141st anniversary with evening tours beginning at 6:30 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. A limited number of visitors can climb the stairs at once and tours will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis.

These tours will be led by trained volunteers to provide historic information and accounts from the daily lives of lighthouse keepers at Yaquina Head. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is located three miles north of Newport on Lighthouse Drive.

The tours at both lighthouses are free, but the entrance fee to Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is $7. The park also accepts Yaquina Head Annual Passes, the Oregon Coast Pass, and America the Beautiful Annual, Access and Senior Passes.

For more information on the passes accepted at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area or the park hours and information please call 541-574-3100, or for information on Yaquina Bay Lighthouse hours and information please call 541-265-5679.

The events are put on by Friends of Yaquina Lighthouses (FOYL) and the Bureau of Land Management, and sponsored by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

FOYL is a nonprofit organization working in partnership with the to restore and preserve the Yaquina Head and Yaquina Bay Lighthouses and their surrounding areas and interpret their natural and cultural histories.

For more information about FOYL, how to donate, or how to become a member please contact Lauren Craven at 541-574-3129.

Source: www.BeachConnection.net