Carl G. Washburne Memorial

Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park offers peaceful coastal camping in a beautiful Sitka spruce forest near Florence. The park provides access to a lovely section of beach and serves as a gateway to the popular Heceta Head Lighthouse area. The forested campground offers shelter from coastal winds while the beach is just a short walk away through the dunes.

The park's forest and beach habitats support diverse wildlife. Roosevelt elk occasionally browse through the campground area. The beach hosts harbor seals, and gray whales pass offshore during migration. The old-growth character of the forest supports varied thrushes, Pacific-slope flycatchers, and other forest birds. Tidepools harbor colorful marine invertebrates.

The campground occupies beautiful Sitka spruce forest with large trees providing shade and wind protection. The dense understory includes sword fern, salal, and evergreen huckleberry. Beach grass and native dune plants stabilize the foredune. The forest transitions to coastal wetlands in low-lying areas.

The park occupies the coastal strip between forested uplands and the beach, on marine sedimentary rocks overlain by sand deposits. The dunes separating the forest from the beach are relatively recent geological features. China Creek runs through the park to the ocean. The underlying bedrock is visible in some beach exposures.

The park experiences the mild, wet climate of the central Oregon coast. Summer temperatures average in the low 60s°F with frequent fog. Winters are mild with temperatures in the mid-40s and substantial rainfall. Annual precipitation exceeds 70 inches. The forest provides shelter from coastal winds.

The central Oregon coast has been home to the Siuslaw people for thousands of years. The nearby Heceta Head Lighthouse was constructed in 1894 and remains one of Oregon's most iconic coastal landmarks. Carl Washburne was an Oregon businessman who supported conservation. Euro-American settlement brought logging and fishing to the area.

The park was named for Carl G. Washburne, an Oregon lumberman and conservationist who donated land for state parks. The site was developed to provide camping access to this scenic section of coast near Heceta Head. The park has served visitors for decades as a base for exploring the central coast.

A short trail leads from the campground to the beach for walking, tidepooling, and wildlife watching. The nearby Heceta Head Lighthouse is one of Oregon's most photographed landmarks. Hiking trails in the area include the challenging trek to the lighthouse and easy beach walks. Sea Lion Caves, a popular attraction, is just south.

The park offers 58 full-hookup campsites and 2 yurts in a forested setting. Facilities include restrooms with showers and beach access trails. Located on Highway 101 about 14 miles north of Florence. Reservations are recommended during summer months. The park is open year-round.

Oregon State Parks manages the site to protect the forest ecosystem while providing recreational access. The old-growth character of the forest is valued and protected. Beach access points are managed to prevent dune erosion. The park participates in regional conservation efforts for the central Oregon coast.