An 1896 lighthouse on a sandy spit where the Coquille River meets the Pacific.
The Coquille River Lighthouse stands at the mouth of the Coquille River within Bullards Beach State Park, a few minutes north of Bandon. Built in 1896, it served as a navigation aid for vessels entering the river until it was decommissioned in 1939. The tower has since been restored and operates as a historical landmark.
The setting, on a sandy spit where the river meets the Pacific, is more compelling than the lighthouse interior alone might justify. The walk from the Bullards Beach parking area to the lighthouse covers flat, sandy ground with views across the river mouth and the ocean beyond. Shorebirds work the tidal flats, and the sound of the surf provides a backdrop that does not require narration.
The lighthouse interior is open daily from 11 AM to 5 PM, mid-May through September. Outside those months, the exterior and surrounding grounds remain accessible. There is no admission fee and parking is free within Bullards Beach State Park. The visit pairs naturally with a walk along Bullards Beach itself, which extends north from the lighthouse for several miles of uninterrupted sand.
An easy, no-cost stop that takes an hour or less and provides a change of pace from the resort. The lighthouse is compact, the setting is photogenic, and the beach walk adds as much time as you care to give it.