10 Undisturbed Towns To Visit In Oregon

Oregon is the 33rd state to incorporate into the Union and has long been known as a place where the frontier life met its greatest challenges. While pioneers did their best to survive in this wilderness, some of the sights and wonders cannot be tamed. They include beautiful mountain ranges like the Cascade Range and Blue Mountains, as well as shocking natural oceanic phenomena on the North Coast, Central Coast, and South Coast of the Pacific Ocean on Oregon's western boundary.

The attractions and sights of these ten undisturbed towns are good examples of a reverence for nature and historic culture, leaving visitors with a sense of seeing the original landscape of an exciting natural world.

Cannon Beach

A good hour-and-a-half drive from Portland, Cannon Beach, Oregon, has a population of 1,489 as of the 2020 Decennial Census and enough attractions to keep visitors busy for a lifetime.

These include Haystack Rock, an immense 235-foot natural landmark towering over the North Coast that hosts puffins in spring and mid-summer and beautiful sea stars in its tidepools all year long. The beaches span four miles along the coast, and fantastic views can be found hiking Ecola State Park, which also winds through a genuine old-growth rainforest, largely untouched by development.

Besides the natural world, Cannon Beach is also the home of the Coaster Theatre Playhouse, run by a non-profit dedicated to keeping live entertainment available on Oregon's North Coastline, and Icefire Glassworks, founded in 1975, where visitors can browse its gallery, which features several talented artists.

Florence

For a look at sea lions in their natural environment, there is probably nothing better than a quick trip to Florence, Oregon, where the largest sea lion cave in the US is open for visitors to enter.

Called the Sea Lions Caves, the 12-story-high, football-length natural basalt cave was created 25 million years ago and is the home of the Steller sea lion through all four seasons. Today, it can be seen by tourists and locals alike who want the wonder of a natural phenomenon that has remained central in this undisturbed town's sights.

Florence itself has 9,396 residents, according to the 2020 Decennial Census, and hosts a variety of attractions, including the trailhead to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, which encompasses 40 miles of the Oregon coastline. The area has been described as a mashup of not only ocean, but desert and forest, as well. Tours are offered in Florence by Sandland Adventures and Sand Dunes Frontier, giving the curious traveler a look at an ancient natural experience.

For more commercially minded visitors, the Historic Old Town of Florence has a variety of shops and galleries, as well as museums like the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum, which shows scenes of loggers and fishermen working and living along the 110-mile Siuslaw River, originally the only mode of transportation for goods, which feeds into the Pacific Ocean from Florence.

Astoria

The oldest city in Oregon, with 10,181 residents as of the 2020 Decennial Census, Astoria, Oregon, is near the coast of the Pacific Ocean on the Columbia River. It also has the power to transport visitors back in time on its foot-traveled trails, where the modern world falls away for those willing to experience it.

Hikes include the Cathedral Tree Trail, located in Astoria Column Park. The 1.6-mile hike will have visitors walking past old, large trees and heading upward for a view of the entire city of Astoria. Another great trip is to Youngs River Falls, a 10-mile drive south of Astoria. The drive time, however, pales against the view of a natural 54-foot waterfall into a warm pool below.

The Astoria Riverwalk is another great place for visitors to enjoy themselves while walking and exploring the wonders of Astoria. It is a 12.8-mile walk with views of Youngs Bay and the Astoria-Megler Bridge.

Antelope

With a whopping population of 37 according to the 2020 Decennial Census, the Town of Antelope resides on the banks of the John Day River, and is a spot for budding archeologists to dig in the fossil remains of the John Day Fossils Bed National Monument.

Once a stagecoach town where freight and passengers stopped in the 1800s, visitors today can see the same sights while floating in the John Day River and Deschutes River, which also includes whitewater rafting. The Crooked River National Grassland, which holds numerous camping and backpacking opportunities, is also nearby and accessible to see undisturbed nature close up.

Baker City

For those looking for a spot to set up camp and explore the undisturbed wonders of the entire state, Baker City, Oregon, a frontier town populated by 10,099 residents as of the 2020 Decennial Census, is a strong contender with its vibrant art scene and historic downtown. A stay at the Geiser Grand Hotel, built in 1889, will leave you "pampered" to take on the rest of the trip.

Hells Canyon, the deepest river canyon in North America, awaits. Baker City is a great place to start a trip on the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, a 218-mile loop between Baker City and LaGrande, and get to the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, over 650,000 acres of undisturbed beauty.

Hood River

On the slope of Mount Hood, Hood River borders the Columbia River that divides Oregon from Washington state.

With access to the Columbia River Gorge, a breathtaking natural treasure, visitors of Hood River are sure to be satisfied with hikes within and around the town, possibly to see Multnomah Falls, a natural wonder that has endured in this undisturbed town. Others may stretch their legs along the Hood River Waterfront Park and Trail.

The city is made up of 8,313 residents according to the 2020 Decennial Census, and it is also the windsurfing capital of the world. Businesses that cater to the sport include Big Winds which provides lessons between May 17 and Sept. 14.

But for more tame explorers, Hood River is also known for its variety of fruits growing right in its borders. Apples, pears, and cherries are some of the fresh products available. The Hood River Fruit Loop, a 35-mile route for bikers and drivers alike, offers visitors access to farms, wineries, cideries, and flower fields.

Sisters

Trailblazers head for Sisters, Oregon, a gem of a town with a population of 3,064 as recorded in the 2020 Decennial Census, in central Oregon that feature the Peterson Ridge Trails for hiking, walking and biking.

Originally made from forest service trails in 1989, the Peterson Ridge Trails have been outfitted with signage and expanded to 20 miles of natural wonder. For those with a competitive edge, an annual bike race called Sisters Stampede is held there.

Another trail that delves into the Deschutes National Forest is the Whychus Creek Trail. This moderate trail climbs 660 feet in elevation. Visitors can catch breathtaking views of each of the Three Sisters peaks and Broken Top.

After a long day of enjoying the ideas, those who stay in Sisters can also visit Cascade Street Distillery, where potato vodka is served.

Joseph

The City of Joseph, Oregon, with a population of 1,154 as of the 2020 Decennial Census, is named after Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Tribe, whose ancestral lands encompass much of the local area. While centuries have passed, the land is still largely untouched. The Wallowa Lake State Park, which includes Wallowa Lake and the Wallowa Mountains, is situated just south of the town and is considered sacred to the Nez Perce Tribe, who were driven from it in 1877.

For visitors of this area, rafting adventures await with Winding Waters River Expeditions or pedal-carting through the Wallowa Mountains with Joseph Branch Railriders, traveling the same passes as frontiersmen during this town's creation.

The Joseph Canyon Viewing Point is perfect for those who want to see a panoramic view of the entire Joseph Canyon. The trip is only 36 miles from downtown Joseph.

Cottage Grove

There are plenty of things to do in this 10,574-resident town, as recorded in the 2020 Decennial Census, that appreciate its history and location. Cottage Grove, Oregon, has activities ranging from biking, camping, and fishing, as well as a visit to the Bohemia Gold Mining Museum for a relaxing break.

Row River Trail is a 15.6-mile paved road that used to be a rail line and runs from Cottage Grove to the Umpqua National Forest. Bikers and walkers can traverse these landscapes with relative ease, and it gives access to other trails in this forest on the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains. Hikers can still see wildlife, such as bears, in this glacially formed destination that is still undisturbed and beautiful in its natural splendor.

Yachats

Yachats, Oregon, is the very definition of a small town with an undisturbed landscape. Home to about 994 people during the 2020 Decennial Census, this Pacific Central Coast town is sure to strike a chord with those who love the sea.

Consider the Smelt Sands Recreation Site, undisturbed by development, home to a yearly smelt run, year-round tide pooling, and rock fishing. It is also a wonderful place to see a whale or two break the surface. Photography of its iconic sunsets is also a big draw.

Perhaps most famous is Thor's Well, an iconic image of this area of the coast in its enduring beauty. Known as the drainpipe of the Pacific, this very deep sinkhole creates an awe-inspiring spectacle for those who visit it. However, it is also very dangerous, and photographers are warned to be careful.

For art lovers, there is also the Earthworks Gallery, where nationally known glass, clay, and jewelry artisans display their goods.

Oregon is a real treat for visitors as it is largely undisturbed and includes mountains, beaches, and forests within its borders. While the frontier days, when it was first walked by Lewis and Clark and later explored by gold miners and pioneers, left its mark on the land, it is still a state to find the perfect picture, the perfect experience, and the perfect sense of awe at its wonder.