Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park in Oregon, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-11-05. Check linked official notices before travel.

Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park is on the Oregon coast north of Florence. For a beach stop, use the day-use area west of U.S. 101. The campground and the Valley Trail access are across the highway, on the east side.

A beach stop or a forest hike

You can picnic by the beach without setting out from the campground. For a longer outing, follow the forest trails toward Heceta Head Lighthouse. If you mainly want to see the lighthouse, its separate parking area gives you a shorter walk.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Watch the surf and the tides

Check the tide before walking along the beach. Keep away from driftwood near the surf, where waves can shift heavy logs. Follow Oregon State Parks’ beach safety guidance and stay on marked trails near cliffs.

Visit responsibly

Buy firewood near the park or use certified heat-treated wood to avoid spreading invasive insects.

Campground reservations

Use the official campground booking page for regular campsites and yurts. The separate hiker/biker camp serves visitors who arrive on foot or by bicycle, in order of arrival.

Where to turn off Highway 101

The day-use parking area is on the ocean side of U.S. 101. The campground entrance is on the inland side. Use the trail map on the Oregon State Parks park page if you plan to walk between the campground, beach and lighthouse.

Nearby parks

• Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint: Drive south to its own parking area for the shorter uphill walk to the lighthouse.
• Darlingtonia State Natural Site: Continue toward Florence for a boardwalk through the cobra lily fen.

Choose the Hobbit Trail or the lighthouse route

Take the Valley Trail from the campground toward the junctions for both routes. The Hobbit Trail drops half a mile to the sand. The Heceta Head route climbs to the lighthouse and makes a six-mile round trip from the campground.

Picnic and campground facilities

Picnic tables and an RV dump station are in the west-side day-use area. The campground has toilets, showers, hookup sites and two yurts. Oregon State Parks identifies campsite 30 as accessible; confirm it is available when planning your stay.

About the park

The Washburne gift

Narcissa Washburne’s estate gave the original tract to the state in 1962. The park takes its name from her husband, Carl G. Washburne.

Forest and shore

Watch for Roosevelt elk along the forest route and look offshore for whales from the beach. Both are opportunities to observe wildlife without leaving the route.

Contact the park

For trail or campground conditions, call Oregon State Parks at 541-547-3416.