Cavalcade of Coastal Spooky Stories at Oregon's Heceta Head Light in October

Published 10/04/25 at 4:45 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Florence, Oregon) - Is a legendary Oregon coast lighthouse BnB haunted? Is the stately, historic Heceta Head Lightstation Keeper's House home to a ghost?

Visitors will have a chance to explore that question during special haunted tours on October 24 and 25, as the famed Oregon coast bed-and-breakfast opens its doors to curious guests seeking paranormal tales.

The tours run from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day, with groups limited to 15 people per session. Each tour lasts approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Advance reservations are required, along with a suggested donation of $10 per person. Parking is available for $5 at the Heceta Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint, but there is no parking at the B&B itself. Attendees must walk up to the Keeper’s House to check in.

Get tickets at this link.

Guides will recount decades-old stories of ghostly encounters inside the lighthouse keeper’s quarters, though even organizers admit the exact tales remain a mystery until the tours begin.

“I’m afraid I don’t even know what the stories will be,” one organizer told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. “A few of our docents will lead the tour with stories from past guests and staff.”

The most enduring legend centers on a spirit known as the Gray Lady, or Rue. Described as a benevolent presence, Rue is said to appear as an elderly woman or a drifting, smoke-like figure that vanishes quickly. Some stories suggest she’s tied to a secret grave near the property, while others claim she’s the mother of a child buried close to the lighthouse.

Did you know there's a connection here to the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse off  Seaside /  Cannon Beach? The tale also involves the only time the lighthouse light went out. Surprisingly, One Man Connects Oregon Coast Lighthouses at Heceta Head, Terrible Tilly

Heceta Head Lighthouse is the only one on the Oregon coast that still retains its original keeper’s quarters, and it’s the only lighthouse-affiliated building in the region with long-standing claims of paranormal activity. The family that operates the B&B has embraced Rue’s presence, referring to her as a friendly ghost and even a member of the household.

Among the more curious tales: Rue has reportedly been seen ascending the stairs in a misty form, and in one instance, shattered glass was mysteriously swept into a tidy pile - despite no one being present to clean it.

Even if you aren't a believer, these are still engaging tales that fit the zeitgeist of the season, so to speak. And it's cool history.

Event at Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast. 92072 Highway 101 S, Yachats, Oregon.

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