Yeah, big cities like Portland tend to take up the bulk of attention in Oregon. But really, it’s the small towns that dot the Beaver State that really is the heart of this place. Most of us, even if we grew up in a major metropolis, have roots in smaller communities, where perhaps our grandparents taught us good, old-fashioned values, where everyone knew each other, and where we developed our sense of community. Here are 10 of the most beautiful and charming small towns in Oregon:

1. Shaniko

Shaniko, OR 97037, USA
"Barn in Shaniko" by Tedder/Ken Morton - Own work. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A century ago this place was a bit of a boom town. Now it's a ghost town, but it remains an intriguing and hauntingly beautiful place to visit.

Learn more about the fascinating town of Shaniko, Oregon in this video from Johnny Joo. If you are looking for things to do in Shaniko, OR there are plenty of historical sites to see and experience in this interesting historic town:

2. Coburg

Coburg, OR 97408, USA
"Coburg Oregon antique store" by M.O. Stevens - Own work. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
This town in Lane County has a population of just under 1,100 and is known for its Golden Years parade... Especially great for visiting during the summer. Coburg is a small town in Oregon that will win your heart!

3. Cottage Grove

Cottage Grove, OR 97424, USA
"Cottage Grove Historic District" by Visitor7 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Make sure to actually get off the freeway and get acquainted with this place's charming downtown. Cottage Grove has been named one of the most charming towns in Oregon, and we totally agree!

4. Depoe Bay

Depoe Bay, OR 97341, USA
"Depoe Bay entrance sign P1905" by EncMstr - EncMstr took this photo, rotated to be vertical, cropped and exposure balanced it. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Your quintessential Oregon beach town, Depoe Bay is famous for fishing, chowder, and for being the filming site of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," starring Jack Nicolson. Depoe Bay is a delightful place to visit!

Let's take a look around the beautiful coastal town of Depoe Bay in this video from Adventures of J & K to see the abundance of fun things to do in Depoe Bay, OR:

5. Fossil

Fossil, OR 97830, USA
"Fossil main street" by Finetooth - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Fossil is a tiny town surrounded by the extraordinary scenery of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

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6. Newport

Newport, OR, USA
"Newport, Oregon" by Bernard Gagnon - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Newport is equal parts touristy beach town and home to working-class fishermen, unloading their booty on the docks. It's also home to some of the best seafood restaurants on the Oregon Coast!

7. Wallowa

Wallowa, OR 97885, USA
"Wallowa Oregon IMG 4505" by Williamborg - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
This is a small piece of Eastern Oregon's natural beauty. Wallowa is a delight of a town to visit.

8. Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach, OR, USA
"Cow elk near haystack rock, Cannon Beach, OR" by John Fowler from Placitas, NM, USA - Dawn at HaystackUploaded by PDTillman. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
This is a haven for Portlanders who want to spend some time on the coast. And why shouldn't it be? It's got an artistic vibe, mixed with the vast views of the ocean, with Haystack Rock peaking out. Cannon Beach is one of the most beautiful places in all of Oregon.

9. Jacksonville

Jacksonville, OR 97530, USA
"Jacksonville,OR". Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikipedia
West of Medford, this community is the epitome of small-town America. Jacksonville is one of the coolest small towns in all of Oregon!

10. Yachats

Yachats, OR, USA
"Lights of Yachats" by Gritchpop - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Yachats is the quintessential Oregon Coast town, full of seafood shacks, weather-worn architecture, incredible beaches, and amazing vistas!

Watch and learn, not only how to pronounce Yachats, but some fun things to do in Yachats, OR in this video from Living On The Oregon Coast:

Have you visited any of these beautiful small towns in Oregon? What are your favorite Oregon small towns? Tell us about them in the comments below! Feeling proud to live in Oregon? You should! Wear your state pride on your sleeve when you check out this unique Oregon apparel collection from Wear Your Roots.

While we are showing our love for charming Oregon towns, check out this list of several of the best small towns in Oregon perfect for a weekend getaway:

8 Small Towns In Oregon That Are Full Of Charm And Perfect For A Weekend Escape

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More to Explore

Beautiful Small Towns In Oregon

Sarah | July 05, 2021

What are some of the best places to live in Oregon?

Some of the best places to live in Oregon include:

  • West Linn
  • Sherwood
  • Monmouth
  • Lake Oswego
  • Bend

 

Oregon is a wonderful place to live, with vibrant cities and lots of classic PNW towns. In terms of the best places to live, these are the 10 safest places to live in Oregon. You'll be pleased to learn that both violent crime and property crime rates are low in Oregon — in fact, the state has the lowest violent crime rate in the Pacific Northwest region. Some standouts on this list include West Linn, Sherwood, Keizer, Independence, and Bend!

What are some of Oregon's most scenic small towns?

Some of the most scenic small towns in Oregon include:

  • Astoria
  • Yachats
  • Hood River
  • McMinnville
  • Silverton
  • Cannon Beach

 

You can't beat the coastal views in Yachats, Oregon. Yachats is a charming town on the coast. Located in Lincoln County, it's home to fewer than 1,000 people, but just about everyone who visits falls in love with this little gem. Nature lovers have plenty to see and do here. The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is an absolute must-visit. Check out Thor's Well, a huge, 20-foot-deep hole that sucks the ocean down into a terrifying display of power! No matter where you go in Yachats, you'll have amazing views of the coast, which makes this one of the most beautiful small towns in Oregon, too!

Where are some beautiful places to visit in Oregon?

Some of the most beautiful places to visit in Oregon include:

  • Multnomah Falls
  • Crater Lake
  • Columbia River Gorge
  • Mount Hood
  • Alvord Desert
  • Painted Hills of Oregon

 

The entire state of Oregon is absolutely beautiful, full of natural wonders and splendor. Waterfalls, mountains, temperate rainforests, caves, and rivers... Oregon really is home to some of the most beautiful places in the country, and certainly the Pacific Northwest. Some of the most beautiful places to visit Oregon include Multnomah Falls, Crater Lake, the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, the Alvord Desert, the Painted Hills of Oregon, and, of course, all 363 miles of the Oregon Coast. The best part? You can visit and experience all of these beautiful places in Oregon for free!

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