Washburne State Wayside
Oregon

Washburne State Wayside

Available Activities
  • Picnicking

๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ† Coast Highway Rest โ€” Forested highway wayside between Florence and Yachats

Washburne State Wayside provides a forested rest stop along US-101 on the Central Oregon Coast between Florence and Yachats. The old-growth Sitka spruce forest creates a cathedral canopy over the picnic area, providing a peaceful break from the coastal highway. The nearby Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park (a separate facility) offers camping with beach access.

Visitor Information

DetailInformation
LocationUS-101, Lane County, OR
Entry FeeFree
ForestOld-growth Sitka spruce

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as Washburne State Park?

No โ€” the wayside is a day-use rest stop, while Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park (nearby) offers camping and beach access. Both honor the same family but are separate facilities.

About Washburne Wayside

Washburne State Wayside sits along Highway 126 east of Eugene in the scenic McKenzie River valley. The wayside offers forested rest stops among towering Douglas fir trees along one of Oregon’s most beautiful river valleys โ€” the McKenzie is famous for its crystal-clear turquoise water.

Things to Do

Picnicking, fishing in the McKenzie River for rainbow trout, and enjoying the forest atmosphere. The McKenzie River Trail nearby offers world-class mountain biking and hiking along blue-green pools and waterfalls.

About Washburne

Washburne State Wayside in Lane County on the central Oregon coast provides beach access and picnicking near the Heceta Head Lighthouse โ€” one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world. The wayside sits in the shadow of the dramatic basalt headland topped by the iconic white lighthouse. The adjacent Heceta Head keeper’s house is now a bed-and-breakfast.

Things to Do

Beach walking, viewing and photographing Heceta Head Lighthouse, tidepooling, whale watching, and visiting the lighthouse keeper’s house B&B โ€” one of Oregon’s most unique lodging experiences.

๐ŸŒฒ Visit Washburne State Wayside

Cathedral spruce โ€” old-growth rest stop on the Central Coast.

๐Ÿ“ Oregon State Parks

Sarah Mitchell

About the Author

Outdoor Editor & Trail Expert

Sarah Mitchell is an outdoor writer and trail researcher with over 8 years of experience exploring state parks across America. As the lead editor at AmericasStateParks.org, she has personally visited more than 200 parks in 42 states, logging thousands of trail miles and hundreds of campground nights. Sarah specializes in detailed park guides, accessibility information, and family-friendly outdoor planning. Her work focuses on helping first-time visitors feel confident and well-prepared for their state park adventures.

200+ state parks visited across 42 states | 8+ years of outdoor writing

Last updated: May 9, 2026

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