Best Small Towns in Oregon
The best small towns in Oregon are Cannon Beach for Haystack Rock, Astoria for Columbia River history, Hood River for the Gorge, Joseph for Wallowa Lake and Jacksonville for gold-rush streets. Astoria, founded in 1811, is the oldest city in the state. The list runs from the coast to the Wallowa Mountains and the Oregon Trail country around Baker City. Here are 12 worth the trip, grouped by region.
- Best season: July–September
- Regions: Oregon Coast, Willamette Valley, Southern Oregon, Columbia Gorge & Central Oregon, Eastern Oregon
- Closest big cities: Portland, Eugene, Bend, Medford, Boise
| Town | Region | Best for | Nearest airport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannon Beach | Oregon Coast | tide pooling, birding, beach walks, coastal hiking, art galleries, weekend getaways from Portland | Portland (PDX), about 1 hr 30 min |
| Astoria | Oregon Coast | maritime history, Lewis and Clark history, film locations, breweries, rainy-day museums | Portland (PDX), about 2 hr |
| Hood River | Columbia Gorge & Central Oregon | windsurfing, kiteboarding, orchards, biking, breweries, wineries | Portland (PDX), about 1 hr |
| Joseph | Eastern Oregon | mountain scenery, hiking, lake days, art galleries, Nez Perce history, rodeo | Lewiston, Idaho (LWS), about 2 hr |
| Jacksonville | Southern Oregon | history, outdoor concerts, wine tasting, hiking, weekend getaways | Medford (MFR), about 20 min |
| Sisters | Columbia Gorge & Central Oregon | rodeo and festivals, hiking, fly fishing, golf, scenic drives | Redmond (RDM), about 30 min |
| Bandon | Oregon Coast | beaches and tide pools, bird watching, golf, seafood, lighthouses | North Bend (OTH), about 30 min |
| Yachats | Oregon Coast | tide pooling, coastal hiking, whale watching, lighthouses, quiet getaways | Eugene (EUG), about 1 hr 45 min |
| Baker City | Eastern Oregon | Oregon Trail history, museums, historic architecture, road trips, winter skiing nearby | Boise (BOI), about 2 hr |
| Carlton | Willamette Valley | wine tasting, food, weekend getaways from Portland, couples | Portland (PDX), about 1 hr |
| Florence | Oregon Coast | dunes, lighthouses, wildlife, beach rides, family trips | Eugene (EUG), about 1 hr 15 min |
| Cottage Grove | Willamette Valley | cycling, covered bridges, film history, lake days, small-town downtowns | Eugene (EUG), about 40 min |
Oregon Coast
1. Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is a Clatsop County beach town of about 1,500 people, known for 235-foot Haystack Rock and its nesting tufted puffins. Ecola State Park's headland sits just north, and Hug Point's caves and stagecoach ruts are a few miles south. Galleries and local restaurants line Hemlock Street, since the town has long kept chains out.
Pop. 1,489 (2020 Census) Clatsop County Founded 1956 (incorporated) Nearest airport: Portland (PDX), about 1 hr 30 min Known for: Haystack Rock, tufted puffins, Ecola State Park, Oregon's oldest sandcastle contest
- Best for: tide pooling, birding, beach walks, coastal hiking, art galleries, weekend getaways from Portland
- Don't miss: Haystack Rock; Ecola State Park; Hug Point State Recreation Site
- Heads up: Plan beach walks around the tide; Hug Point and Haystack Rock's base are only reachable at low tide.
2. Astoria
Astoria is the Clatsop County seat and the oldest city in Oregon, founded as a fur post in 1811 near the mouth of the Columbia. The Columbia River Maritime Museum, the Astoria Column and Fort Clatsop anchor a visit. Victorian houses, breweries and a Sunday street market fill the hillside town.
Pop. 10,181 (2020 Census) Clatsop County Founded 1811 Nearest airport: Portland (PDX), about 2 hr Known for: oldest city in Oregon, Columbia River Maritime Museum, Astoria Column, The Goonies, Astoria-Megler Bridge
- Best for: maritime history, Lewis and Clark history, film locations, breweries, rainy-day museums
- Don't miss: Columbia River Maritime Museum; Astoria Column; Fort Clatsop
- Heads up: Expect rain most of the year; the riverfront trolley doesn't run in wet weather.
3. Bandon
Bandon sits at the mouth of the Coquille River on Oregon's south coast, named by an Irish settler for his hometown in County Cork. Its beaches are lined with sea stacks like Face Rock, and it's home to the Coquille River Lighthouse, a rebuilt Old Town and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort just north of town.
Pop. 3,321 (2020 Census) Coos County Founded 1873 (settled by George Bennett); incorporated 1891 Nearest airport: North Bend (OTH), about 30 min Known for: Face Rock and sea stacks, Coquille River Lighthouse, cranberries, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Circles in the Sand
- Best for: beaches and tide pools, bird watching, golf, seafood, lighthouses
- Don't miss: Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint; Coquille River Lighthouse and Bullards Beach State Park; Old Town and the Bandon Boardwalk
- Heads up: Incoming tides can strand you on sea stacks; check a tide table first.
4. Yachats
Yachats is a tiny central-coast town where the Yachats River meets the Pacific, two miles north of Cape Perpetua. Its trails lead to tide pools, Devil's Churn and the highest drivable viewpoint on the Oregon coast, and Heceta Head Lighthouse is a short drive south.
Pop. 994 (2020 Census) Lincoln County Founded 1892 (post office as Oceanview); incorporated 1967 Nearest airport: Eugene (EUG), about 1 hr 45 min Known for: Cape Perpetua, Devil's Churn and Thor's Well, the 804 Trail, tide pools, Heceta Head Lighthouse nearby
- Best for: tide pooling, coastal hiking, whale watching, lighthouses, quiet getaways
- Don't miss: Cape Perpetua Scenic Area; 804 Trail and Smelt Sands State Recreation Site; Heceta Head Lighthouse
- Heads up: Sneaker waves are a real danger on the rocks; check tides and never turn your back on the ocean.
5. Florence
Florence sits at the mouth of the Siuslaw River on the central Oregon coast, at the north end of the Oregon Dunes. Heceta Head Lighthouse and Sea Lion Caves are a short drive north. Its riverfront Old Town has a marina boardwalk and the 1936 Siuslaw River Bridge.
Pop. 9,396 (2020 Census) Lane County Founded 1893 (incorporated) Nearest airport: Eugene (EUG), about 1 hr 15 min Known for: Oregon Dunes, Heceta Head Lighthouse, Sea Lion Caves, the 1970 exploding whale
- Best for: dunes, lighthouses, wildlife, beach rides, family trips
- Don't miss: Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area; Heceta Head Lighthouse; Sea Lion Caves
- Heads up: State park sites charge a day-use parking fee, and rain is frequent outside July and August.
Columbia Gorge & Central Oregon
6. Hood River
Hood River is the Hood River County seat, where the Hood River meets the Columbia in the heart of the Gorge. Steady winds made it a windsurfing and kiteboarding capital, and the 35-mile Fruit Loop runs through the orchards below Mount Hood. The Mosier Twin Tunnels trail, WAAAM and a strong brewery scene round it out.
Pop. 8,313 (2020 Census) Hood River County Founded 1895 (incorporated) Nearest airport: Portland (PDX), about 1 hr Known for: windsurfing and kiteboarding, Hood River Fruit Loop, Columbia River Gorge, Mosier Twin Tunnels
- Best for: windsurfing, kiteboarding, orchards, biking, breweries, wineries
- Don't miss: Windsurfing and kiteboarding on the waterfront; Hood River Fruit Loop; Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail and the Mosier Twin Tunnels
- Heads up: Waterfront parking fills on windy summer days; strong currents at the Sandbar.
7. Sisters
Sisters is a town of about 3,000 people at the foot of the Three Sisters in Central Oregon. It's known for its June rodeo, the July outdoor quilt show and a western-themed downtown. The Head of the Metolius, Suttle Lake and McKenzie Pass are all a short drive away.
Pop. 3,064 (2020 Census) Deschutes County Founded 1888 (post office); incorporated 1946 Nearest airport: Redmond (RDM), about 30 min Known for: Sisters Rodeo, Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, western-themed downtown, gateway to the Three Sisters and Metolius River
- Best for: rodeo and festivals, hiking, fly fishing, golf, scenic drives
- Don't miss: Sisters Rodeo; Head of the Metolius; Dee Wright Observatory and McKenzie Pass
- Heads up: Rodeo and quilt show weekends fill every room in town; Highway 242 closes in winter.
Eastern Oregon
8. Joseph
Joseph sits a mile north of glacial Wallowa Lake in Oregon's far northeast corner, at the foot of the Wallowa Mountains. It's known for its bronze foundries and Main Street sculptures, the Wallowa Lake Tramway up Mt. Howard, and the Nez Perce history of the valley.
Pop. 1,154 (2020 Census) Wallowa County Founded 1880 (named for Chief Joseph); incorporated 1887 Nearest airport: Lewiston, Idaho (LWS), about 2 hr Known for: Wallowa Lake, Wallowa Lake Tramway, bronze foundries and sculpture, Chief Joseph Days rodeo, Nez Perce homeland
- Best for: mountain scenery, hiking, lake days, art galleries, Nez Perce history, rodeo
- Don't miss: Wallowa Lake Tramway; Wallowa Lake State Park; Bronze Art Walk and Valley Bronze Foundry
- Heads up: Many lake businesses close October through March; the tram is a summer operation.
9. Baker City
Baker City is the Baker County seat, set between the Elkhorn and Wallowa mountains on I-84. Just east of town, the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center overlooks original wagon ruts. Its restored downtown of 1880s to 1910s buildings is one of the most intact in the Northwest.
Pop. 10,099 (2020 Census) Baker County Founded 1865 (platted); incorporated 1874 Nearest airport: Boise (BOI), about 2 hr Known for: Oregon Trail wagon ruts, Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, gold-rush history, historic downtown
- Best for: Oregon Trail history, museums, historic architecture, road trips, winter skiing nearby
- Don't miss: National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center; Historic downtown Baker City; Baker Heritage Museum
- Heads up: Several museums close or cut hours in winter; check before an off-season trip.
Southern Oregon
10. Jacksonville
Jacksonville is a gold-rush town of about 3,000 people just west of Medford, and its whole downtown is a National Historic Landmark. Summer brings Britt Festival concerts on Peter Britt's old estate. Woodlands trails, the Beekman Bank and Applegate Valley wineries round it out.
Pop. 3,020 (2020 Census) Jackson County Founded 1851-52 (gold discovery); incorporated 1860 Nearest airport: Medford (MFR), about 20 min Known for: Gold-rush National Historic Landmark district, Britt Music & Arts Festival, Applegate Valley wine
- Best for: history, outdoor concerts, wine tasting, hiking, weekend getaways
- Don't miss: Britt Music & Arts Festival; Jacksonville Historic District and Trolley Tour; Beekman Bank Museum and Beekman House
- Heads up: Britt concert nights fill downtown parking and restaurants; book dinner ahead.
Willamette Valley
11. Carlton
Carlton is a Yamhill County town of about 2,200 people, 7 miles north of McMinnville. About 20 tasting rooms fill its few downtown blocks, including Ken Wright Cellars in the old train depot. Estate vineyards of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA ring the town.
Pop. 2,220 (2020 Census) Yamhill County Founded 1899 (incorporated); post office 1874 Nearest airport: Portland (PDX), about 1 hr Known for: Walkable wine tasting rooms, Yamhill-Carlton AVA Pinot Noir
- Best for: wine tasting, food, weekend getaways from Portland, couples
- Don't miss: Downtown tasting rooms; Ken Wright Cellars; The Carlton Winemakers Studio
- Heads up: Many tasting rooms close or go appointment-only early in the week; plan Thursday through Monday.
12. Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove sits on I-5 at the south end of the Willamette Valley and calls itself Oregon's covered bridge capital, with six bridges in and around town. The paved Row River Trail follows the rail line where The General and Stand by Me were filmed, out to Dorena Lake.
Pop. 10,643 (2020 Census) Lane County Founded 1855 (post office); incorporated 1887 Nearest airport: Eugene (EUG), about 40 min Known for: six covered bridges, Row River Trail, Buster Keaton's The General and Stand by Me filming, Bohemia gold mining history
- Best for: cycling, covered bridges, film history, lake days, small-town downtowns
- Don't miss: Row River Trail and Dorena Lake; Chambers Railroad Bridge; Historic Downtown and Its Murals
- Heads up: There's no food or water along the Row River Trail; stock up in town or at the Dorena store.
- July–September: The driest months on the coast, and the best weather for Haystack Rock, Cape Perpetua and the dunes around Florence. It’s also high season in Joseph and on Wallowa Lake.
- Spring and fall: Fewer crowds in Cannon Beach, Yachats and Bandon. Fall is harvest season around Carlton and Hood River. It is also a good time to bike Cottage Grove’s Row River Trail, which runs about 16 miles past Dorena Lake and three historic covered bridges.
- Winter: Storm-watching season on the coast. Astoria’s Columbia River Maritime Museum is a good rainy-day stop, and snow can close mountain passes to Joseph and Sisters, so check road conditions.
These didn’t make the list, but each has its own guide: Brookings (far south coast) · Coos Bay (south coast port) · Depoe Bay (central coast harbor) · Deschutes River Woods (south of Bend) · Dundee (Willamette wine town) · Garibaldi (Tillamook Bay town) · Gold Beach (Rogue River mouth) · Klamath Falls (southern Oregon city) · Lincoln City (central coast city) · Manzanita (north coast village) · Mosier (Columbia Gorge village) · Nehalem (Nehalem Bay town) · Newport (Yaquina Bay city) · Oceanside (tiny Tillamook coast village) · Ontario (Idaho border town) · Pacific City (north coast village) · Port Orford (south coast harbor) · Redmond (Central Oregon city) · Reedsport (Oregon Dunes town) · Rockaway Beach (north coast beach town) · Seal Rock (central coast community) · Seaside (north coast resort) · Tillamook (dairy country seat) · Waldport (Alsea Bay town)
What is the prettiest small town in Oregon?
Cannon Beach is the classic answer, with 235-foot Haystack Rock right off the beach. Joseph sits a mile from glacier-carved Wallowa Lake. Yachats has Cape Perpetua just south of town.
What small towns in Oregon are best for a weekend?
From Portland, pair Astoria and Cannon Beach on the north coast, or head up the Gorge to Hood River. In the south, Jacksonville is about 5 miles from Medford.
What is the smallest town in Oregon worth visiting?
Yachats has fewer than 1,000 people. Joseph, with about 1,150, is the base for Wallowa Lake. Both are small enough to walk end to end.
What are the best small towns in Eastern Oregon?
Joseph is the Wallowa Mountains pick. Baker City has the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center 6 miles northeast. Ontario sits on the Idaho line, closer to Boise.