9 Best Small Towns In Oregon For A Crowd-Free Summer
According to Travel Oregon, Oregon is home to 361 state parks, 21 national wildlife refuges, 11 national forests, and one national park, making the state undeniably beautiful. In fact, you can probably step into your own backyard and find something worth admiring. With all of that beauty, however, comes plenty of visitors. So the question becomes, where can you go this summer to enjoy Oregon without the crowds? If kayaking under the stars, camping high in the canopy of an old-growth tree, or sampling wine while enjoying music by the riverside sound like your kind of vacation, these nine towns will give you all the fun without the noise of busier locations.
Carlton
Carlton is just a 45-minute drive north of Dallas, making it an excellent addition to your summer travels, particularly if you are looking to build on the region’s agricultural and vineyard experiences. One of the best ways to learn about Carlton’s farms is on a guided tour with Tabula Rasa Farms. Lasting between 45 and 60 minutes, the tour covers permaculture, regenerative farming, and ethical animal treatment, including the chance to meet the animals and see the farming practices up close. Continue the day at one of Carlton’s many vineyards, such as Flâneur Wines, a local winery that was founded in 2013 and offers tailored wine tasting experiences. In July, the vineyard will host a few special events, including a Brasada Ranch Wine Dinner with a seasonal tasting menu by Chef Karl Holl, and a special sparkling wine tasting showcasing selections from across Oregon.
Planning to visit Carlton after July 9th? You’ll be just in time to check out Hayward’s new location as it moves from McMinnville to Carlton and reopens. This restaurant is a must for any food enthusiast, with Chef Kari Shaughnessy named a semifinalist for the James Beard’s Best Chef Northwest competition. Drawing inspiration from the area’s local farmers, Shaughnessy takes advantage of the rich agricultural scene in the Willamette Valley, using seasonal ingredients in each dish. Current dishes on the menu include Sesame Focaccia, Chicken Katsu Skewers, Dan Dan Noodles, and a Cheesy Allium Tart.
Jacksonville
Founded in 1851 as a gold rush town, Jacksonville is a historic gem in the Rogue Valley. Many buildings date back to the 19th century, such as the McCully House Inn, the oldest house in Oregon to currently operate as an inn. In addition to its history, travelers can enjoy a variety of amenities in the inn, including a complimentary guest pantry with coffee, tea, and fresh fruit, spa robes, on-site restaurants, and concierge services.
If you are interested in sampling some of the Rogue Valley’s wine, there are several vineyards in the nearby area. Travelers can visit Red Lily Vineyards, ordering a tapas platter or sandwich while sampling a flight of wines. On July 24th and August 21st, the vineyard will also host a series of riverside concerts, with live music, food trucks, and a beach bar to get you into the summer spirit. Jacksonville is also famous for the Britt Music & Arts Festival, a laid-back concert series featuring live performances in a scenic outdoor amphitheater. The lineup spans jazz, blues, bluegrass, folk, country, classical, and pop, taking place throughout the entire summer.
Westfir
With a population of fewer than 300 residents, Westfir can easily slip under the radar. But surrounded by old-growth forests, wild rivers, and alpine meadows, it feels like an undiscovered paradise. To explore this natural beauty, Cascades Outdoor Center has the perfect kayaking excursions this summer, taking place on New Moon and Full Moon nights during June and July. Each stargazing kayak tour begins at Westfir Portal Park and heads to Cascade Lake for a night of paddling under the stars, with a guide pointing out different celestial bodies as you paddle.
jAfter a calm evening of paddling, you can head back to Westfir for a stay at Westfir Lodge & Mountain Market, conveniently located right across from the Portal Park. Originally built in 1925 as the office for the Westridge Lumber Mill, the building has since been converted into a cozy lodge with eight rooms, doubling as a local artisan market and deli that serves breakfast and lunch. Get a good night’s sleep and rise early to head out to Salt Creek Falls. Although the falls are about a half-hour drive from town, they are well worth the trip. As the second-highest single-drop waterfall in the state, Salt Creek Falls plunges roughly 286 feet and is also one of the most powerful, with an average annual flow of 50,000 gallons per minute. You can take in the view from the main observation platform just 50 yards from the parking lot or see several vantage points along a gravel loop trail.
Redmond
About 20 minutes north of the popular tourist town of Bend, travelers will find Redmond, a great alternative for those seeking high desert adventures with fewer crowds. Pack your boots and get ready for an Oregon outback adventure at Brasada Ranch. Here, you can explore the high desert on guided horseback rides that wind along the river, all with the Cascade Mountains rising in the distance.
Alternatively, for a day of hiking, mountain biking, or rock climbing, Smith Rock State Park is just a short drive away. The park, which spans about 650 acres, features countless rock formations made of compressed volcanic ash. The Asterisk Observatory also opened in the park in 2024! While it remains closed from June through August, hosted observatory experiences will be available in late September. To escape the summer heat, meanwhile, travelers can head underground to the Redmond Caves. Open year-round, these five caves, formed by ancient lava flows and used for thousands of years by Native Americans, have been meticulously preserved and remain a popular place to explore today.
Dallas
Renowned for its pinots, the town of Dallas, located in the Willamette Valley, has an underrated wine scene that is worth checking out this summer. Travelers can learn all about the winemaking process on a Winemaker Vineyard Hike with Van Duzer Vineyards, where winemaker Eric Misiewicz guides visitors through the hilly vineyards, discussing their sustainable farming practices and craftsmanship. The experience wraps up with a specially curated flight tasting, featuring blends made from the very vineyards that guests just explored. Andante is another highly rated vineyard to add to your itinerary, specializing in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. The vineyard hosts occasional live events, including Nashville in the Northwest on July 19. This concert series features top songwriters and rising artists from the Americana and Country scenes for a day of music and wine.
Before leaving town, make sure to plan a morning at the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge, composed of prairies, woodlands, and wetlands, is home to a wide range of plants and wildlife, many of which are endangered or threatened, such as the Fender's Blue Butterfly, Streaked Horned Lark, and Willamette Daisy. You’ll find plenty of trails throughout the park for hiking, birding, and wildlife watching, allowing you to learn more about the refuge’s ecosystem.
Silverton
As you wander through Silverton, you will find an impressive number of antique shops to explore. North Star Antiques and Collectibles is a great place to start your hunt, selling vintage jewelry, pottery, dishware, and home decor. Right next door, you’ll find The Red Bench, a vendor market with many more antique collectables. Heading about 20 minutes outside of town, travelers will reach Silver Falls State Park. If you are looking for a truly unique experience in the park, consider Tree Climbing at Silver Falls! This tour operator guides visitors up some of the world’s oldest and largest old-growth trees, reaching heights of 200 to 300 feet. Travelers can choose between a half-day or sunset climb, and for those feeling especially adventurous, sign up for a tree camping experience, where you sleep in a hammock or tree tent suspended hundreds of feet in the air following your climb! No prior experience is necessary.
If tree camping does not sound like your kind of vacation, you can also opt to sleep in Silverton’s Oregon Garden Resort. This hotel, located next to an 80-acre garden, includes amenities like a complimentary hot breakfast, seasonal outdoor pool, an onsite spa, and plenty of garden views.
Florence
There are lots of beach towns along the Pacific, but few offer such an interesting mix of activities like Florence. The Sea Lion Caves, for example, are one of the most unique landmarks you will find in a coastal city. This massive cavern, which is the largest naturally formed basalt sea cave in the country, is as wide as a football field and more than 12 stories high. And, hence the name, the cave is also filled with sea lions!
Some of the country’s largest coastal sand dunes are also located just south of town. The Oregon Sand Dunes, which are composed of sandy slopes towering up to 500 feet, offer plenty of recreation, including buggy tours, sandboarding, and horseback riding. If exploring the dunes has worked up an appetite, head back into town to dine at one of Florence’s famed seafood restaurants. Waterfront Depot Restaurant is a town favorite, situated along the Siuslaw River and serving crab cakes, parmesan scallops, halibut, and more.
Yachats
Traveling about a 30-minute drive north of Florence, travelers will reach the calm coastal town of Yachats, popular for its seaside hiking trails and whale watching. The 804 Trail is a must-visit for hikers. Once used by the local Alsea people, this route stands as a symbol of community effort. When public access was threatened by privatization in the 20th century, locals fought to reclaim the land for public use. Thanks to their efforts, travelers today can enjoy walking along its coastal bluffs and tide pools before descending to a sandy beach.
The 804 Trail also passes through Smelt Sands State Recreation Site, renowned for whale watching, rockfishing, and tidepooling. The sunsets along this stretch of beach are especially beautiful as well. Finish off the day at Ona Restaurant & Lounge for dinner, a bayfront restaurant that serves roasted oysters, Dungeness crab cakes, albacore tuna tataki, salmon risotto, fish and chips, and many other innovative seafood dishes.
Klamath Falls
Although many travelers use Klamath Falls as a base to explore the famed Crater Lake National Park, there are plenty of other lesser-known outdoor spots a short drive away that are equally worthy of attention. If you enjoy paddling, make sure to plan some time exploring the Upper Klamath Canoe Trail, a 9.5-mile water route that passes through riparian forests, marshlands, and the springs of Upper Klamath Lake. Paddlers will also love exploring the crystal-clear, turquoise waters of Spring Creek. Known for its excellent trout fishing and kayaking, travelers can explore the waters on a guided tour through one of several local outfitters. Just be sure to stay dry: the water hovers around a brisk 40°F!
Back in town, there is plenty of local art and history to discover. The Favell Museum has an incredible collection of Native American artifacts, exhibiting more than 100,000 pieces, some of which date back as far as 12,000 years! Complementing this history, visitors will also find an extensive collection of Western art in the museum, with pieces from artists like Charles M. Russell, Frank McCarthy, and John Clymer.
Final Thoughts
While these attractions are a great place to start as you begin planning your next vacation, there are so many more activities to consider for each and every one of these towns. Hiking trails, waterfalls, and rivers are all over, while the vineyards and innovative restaurants often feel endless. Summer concert series and music festivals are the norm as well. As you prepare for your trip, be ready to find your own adventures in these laid-back and crowd-free destinations.
