Discover the Top 22 Unique and Entertaining Fun Facts About Oregon You Didn't Know!

1. Crater Lake: America's Deepest

If Crater Lake in Oregon were a poet, it would give the deepest of blues a run for their profundity: As the ninth-deepest lake in the world, it plunges to an astonishing 1,949 feet (594 m), making it the United States' reigning champion of depth - without even considering Antarctica's almost cheatingly hidden Lake Vostok or the now-accurately-measured O'Higgins/San Martín Lake straddling Chile and Argentina.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Pump Your Own Gas Freedom

In the land of beavers and hipsters, a newfound freedom has emerged – the exhilarating right to grab hold of the pump and become one with the gasoline: Oregon recently passed a bill allowing self-service options at gas stations statewide, bringing the state into the 21st century and leaving New Jersey as the sole pump-prohibitive holdout.
Source => opb.org

Did you know that Hawaii is the only US state where coffee is grown commercially, spanning over 6,900 acres and producing 5 million pounds of world-renowned green coffee? Discover more brew-tiful facts about Hawaii's unique coffee culture! ☕🌴

=> Fun Facts about Hawaii

3. World's Largest Bookstore Haven

In a world where "bookworm" has been replaced by "digital moth" and libraries are mere fossils for the nostalgic, there's a haven in Oregon refusing to be shelved into antiquity: Powell's City of Books in Portland boasts its status as the largest new and used bookstore on the planet, sprawling across 68,000 square feet with 10 rooms, three floors, and a whopping 3,500 sections to lose yourself in.
Source => travelportland.com

4. Shopaholics' Tax-less Paradise

While shopaholics might think they've found paradise in Oregon, their wallets might beg to differ: Oregon is one of the only five states in the U.S. that completely eliminated sales tax, along with Montana, New Hampshire, Delaware, and partially Alaska, making the average combined state and local sales tax in the U.S—and all of Oregon's dreams—are a solid 6.57 percent-free!
Source => aarp.org

5. Scenic Biking Adventures

Cycling enthusiasts in Oregon may feel like they've won the "Tour de Fun" with these scenic routes: Oregon's Scenic Bikeway program offers 17 state-designated, breathtaking routes featuring picturesque landscapes, fascinating history, and charming local communities, complete with printable maps and on-road signage for a wheely good adventure.
Source => cycleoregon.com

6. Not-Just-Shakespeare Festival

Hast thou heard the rumor, dear Bardolators? Fear not, for the Oregonian stage dost not confine itself to verses of the great Shakespeare: It doth reveal, from the humble birth of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland back in 1935, a wide range of classic and contemporary plays, in matinee and evening performances. Yea, with a trifecta of theatrical wonders - the outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre, the snug Thomas Theatre, and the stately Angus Bowmer Theatre - up to eleven plays rotate daily, offering amusement for more than just the iambic pentameter enthusiasts.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Pendleton's Epic Rodeo

Say "hay" to Oregon's most equestrian extravaganza: The Pendleton Round-Up rodeo, held annually since 1910, gathers around 50,000 folks for cowboy shenanigans, with a breathtaking Grand Entry showcasing a queenly dash towards fences, and has won the PRCA Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year award seven times.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Oregon's Beach Access Wonderland

Did you ever think you could beach-hop your way around Oregon without trespassing or stepping on private sand? It's like having your own beach pass to stretch out and sip on sunsets: In Oregon, all of the state's 362-mile coastline is publicly accessible, thanks to the Beach Bill which ensures free and uninterrupted use of the magnificent sandy shores from ordinary high water up to the vegetation line, making it the beachcomber's paradise without boundaries. Aloha, beaches!
Source => beachapedia.org

9. J'Ville Tavern: Boozy Ode to the Past

In a land flowing with microbrews and organic kombucha, one watering hole has stood the test of time: The J'Ville Tavern in Oregon's Rogue Valley, quenching thirsts since 1940, is one of the oldest taverns among the tree huggers, providing a cozy home-away-from-home for local lumberjacks and wayward wanderers.
Source => traveloregon.com

10. The Perplexing Oregon Vortex

In the land of beavers and lumberjacks, it's not just the craft beer that'll leave you feeling dizzy and disoriented: Welcome to the Oregon Vortex! This bewildering spot in Gold Hill has baffled and amused visitors for over 90 years with its gravity-defying antics, from bottles rolling uphill to brooms balancing at unlikely angles, and people's heights seemingly fluctuating before your very eyes. While you're not likely to find an explanation in the plot of an obscure sci-fi flick, the cause of these mysterious occurrences remains unknown – and this perplexing attraction keeps fans of the unexplained coming back for more.
Source => roadsideamerica.com

11. World's Smallest Park Pride

In the land of giants and towering trees, it's the little guy that steals the show: Mill Ends Park, nestled in Portland, Oregon, holds the Guinness World Record for the world's smallest park at a mere 452 square inches. It was established in 1948 by journalist Dick Fagan and officially became a city park in 1976. Though it may not boast acres of lush greenery, this tiny oasis has seen its fair share of St. Patrick's Day shenanigans, adorable picnics, and knee-slapping concerts. In 2021, the park experienced an upscale makeover, getting a new home and sign while retaining its unapologetically minuscule charm.
Source => portland.gov

12. Oregon's Majestic Sand Dunes

Where sandcastles reach for the skies and beach buggies reign supreme: Florence, Oregon harbors the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, North America's largest coastal dunes with a 40-mile stretch and reaching up to 500 ft in height, featuring diverse ecosystems and offering activities such as sandboarding and dune buggy tours.
Source => eugenecascadescoast.org

13. The Grand Marble Halls of Oregon

Who needs a marble palace when you can have marble halls? Mother Nature's got the ultimate upgrade for you: Oregon's Siskiyou Mountains house the Marble Halls of Oregon, an awe-inspiring cave system formed by acidic water seeping into marble rock over eons. These grand, natural corridors are open for guided tours, and with 17 campsites nearby, you can even sleep under the star-studded canopy after a subterranean adventure!
Source => nps.gov

14. High-flying Museum and Waterpark Adventure

If Howard Hughes and a mallard duck had a lovechild, it would be the glorious "Spruce Goose": The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon, proudly showcases the Hughes H-4 Hercules, aka the "Spruce Goose," amongst its impressive collection of over 50 military and civilian aircraft, drones, spacecraft, and even a Titan II SLV satellite booster rocket. Visitors can further enjoy the airborne adventure with a splash at the Wings & Waves Waterpark, featuring 10 water slides and a wave pool on the museum grounds.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

15. A Ghost Town Road Trip Extravaganza

Who you gonna call, ghost town busters? Oregon's got a spectral secret that'll spook the spirits: dozens of deserted ghost towns lie scattered across the state's landscape, once thriving communities now hauntingly empty. Skeletons of a bygone era, these eerie settlements make for the ultimate time-traveling road trip - just don't forget your snacks, playlist, and a trusty map.
Source => traveloregon.com

16. Snowboarding Fun All Year Round

When it comes to shreddin' the gnar, Oregon knows no seasons: Timberline provides multiple terrain parks for snowboarders and skiers all year round, with everything from the Schoolyard Park for beginners to the adrenaline-pumping Spraypaint jump line for pros. As the snowpack retreats during summer, the freestyle action follows suit up the mountain to the Palmer snowfield. So wax up those skis and boards, because adventure awaits on Oregon's slopes 365 days a year!
Source => timberlinelodge.com

17. Oregon: The French Fry Kingdom

Next time you find yourself in a pickle, remember that potatoes can make for a great de-fry-nd: Oregon's NORPAC Foods Inc is the state's largest fruit and vegetable processor, providing a bountiful array of frozen produce, including the beloved French fry, straight from Oregon's fertile fields!
Source => potatopro.com

18. Nike's Controversial Origins

Say "Just Shoe It!" and the swoosh empire comes to mind: Nike, established as Blue Ribbon Sports in Oregon back in '64, has tripped over itself with scandals regarding the wretched working conditions in its Indonesian and Asian factories. The shoe-giant attempted to lace things up in '98, but stories of mistreatment are still afoot. In a kicky twist of fate, Nike stepped into the spotlight again in 2018 for running with NFL athlete Colin Kaepernick in a polarizing ad campaign, splitting the field between cheer and jeer.
Source => thestreet.com

19. The Versatile Oregon Grape

This grape walks into a bar – but wait, it's not a grape, it's an evergreen shrub! Inception meets Oregon horticulture: The Oregon grape, found throughout the Pacific Northwest and northern California, is a versatile shrub that provides food and shelter for wildlife with its grape-like berries and clustered leaves, as well as medicinal benefits derived from its roots and inner bark.
Source => nps.gov

20. Benny Beaver: OSU's Mascot Power

Oregon: home to more than just hipsters and artisanal donut shops. It also boasts a highly educated, bucktoothed, and fur-covered mascot that knows a thing or two about dams: Benny Beaver reigns supreme at Oregon State University since the early 1900s when the school newspaper adopted the industrious creature as its namesake, ultimately becoming the university's official mascot and even scoring a spot on the Oregon state flag.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

21. Kam Wah Chung: Time Capsule Chinese Emporium

Ever heard of a one-stop-shop for all your time-traveling needs? Well, step right into the Kam Wah Chung & Company: This 19th-century Chinese-owned store in John Day, Oregon, doubled as a pharmacy, a temple, and a business center among other things, and its doors remained open until 1948! A National Historic Landmark today, the quirky museum gives a nod to the fascinating blend of Chinese and Western cultures in rural Oregon.
Source => oregonencyclopedia.org

22. All Aboard the Steam Locomotive Nostalgia Train!

Chugging down the nostalgia express: The Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Portland boasts two magnificent, fully-operational steam locomotives that will steam-roll you right into the pages of history. Amble among these smoke-belching behemoths, and hop aboard the vintage Polson #2 Steam Locomotive for a trip along the Springwater Corridor. What's more? The center recently adopted a 102-foot turntable from the storied Brooklyn Roundhouse, which they plan to revitalize and incorporate in the coming year. With events like a St. Patrick's Day train ride and a Dad's Day celebration, the entire (rail)road trip is free for all, courtesy of the benevolent contributions of its supporters.
Source => orhf.org