The Strangest Road Names in Oregon and How They Got Them
Nestled about 20 miles southeast of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area offers visitors a chance to explore the curious history behind some of Oregon’s most unusual place names, including roads. Drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway, and you’ll pass by Starvation Creek Road, leading to Starvation Creek State Park. Legend has it that early railroad workers were stranded here during a winter storm in the 1880s, nearly starving before rescue. Today, the park’s easy trail to Starvation Creek Falls, a graceful 227-foot cascade, invites hikers to experience both natural beauty and the eerie story behind the name. Visit in spring or early summer when wildflowers bloom and the water flow is at its peak for the fullest sensory impact.
In the high desert of Central Oregon, about 15 miles northeast of Bend, the quaint town of Sisters offers a fascinating dive into Old West road names. Nearby, you’ll find Black Butte Ranch, where roads like “Trickster Trail” nod to Native American mythology and the local lore of cunning spirits. Sisters itself is a gateway to hiking the nearby Three Sisters Wilderness, with trails like the Green Lakes Loop that reveal volcanic geology and alpine meadows. The playful road names here echo the region’s blend of pioneer grit and indigenous storytelling, making your drives feel like chapters in a living folk tale. Visit in fall for crisp air and stunning foliage against the jagged volcanic peaks.
Travel southwest to the coastal town of Bandon, about 75 miles south of Coos Bay, where the quirky road name “Face Rock Drive” beckons. This name is inspired by Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, a striking offshore rock formation said to resemble a human face. The drive leads visitors to dramatic Pacific Ocean views, with windswept beaches and tide pools teeming with marine life. Walk the Face Rock Trail for an easy, family-friendly outing that combines geology, legend, and the raw power of the Pacific. Winter storms give the most dramatic seascapes, but summer’s mild weather offers pleasant beachcombing.
Farther north near Astoria, about 95 miles northwest of Portland, you’ll encounter the aptly named “Foggy Bottom” area, where roads wind through dense, evergreen forests and mist-laden hills. This nickname stuck for a reason, as the Columbia River estuary often cloaks the land in thick fog. The Astoria Column, perched atop Coxcomb Hill, offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the winding roads below, shrouded in mist on many mornings. Visitors can climb the spiral staircase inside the column to glimpse the interplay of fog, river, and roadways—a hauntingly beautiful experience best savored in early morning during spring or fall.
In the Southern Oregon town of Jacksonville, known for its well-preserved Gold Rush-era architecture, you’ll find roads with colorful names like “Whiskey Creek Road.” This name reflects the town’s boisterous past when Jackson County was a hotspot for miners and saloons. The historic district invites exploration on foot, with galleries, quaint shops, and the Britt Music & Arts Festival grounds nearby. A stroll through Jacksonville’s streets feels like stepping back into a lively 19th-century mining town, complete with tales of whiskey-fueled revelry. Visit in summer to catch concerts at Britt and enjoy the warm, dry weather typical of the Rogue Valley.
In Portland’s eccentric Alberta Arts District, northeast of downtown, you can wander along quirky streets like “Killingsworth Street,” whose name dates back to landowners’ family names but sounds ominous out of context. The district itself buzzes with vibrant murals, indie boutiques, and food carts offering eclectic fare. This neighborhood’s lively, quirky spirit matches the unexpectedness of its road names, inviting visitors to explore urban creativity. Evening strolls here reveal the street art illuminated by soft, ambient lighting, best experienced from late spring through early fall during the district’s many outdoor events.
Driving east towards the high desert, near the town of Burns and about 130 miles east of Bend, you’ll find roads with names like “Lost Forest Road.” This area is part of the Malheur National Forest, where a rare stand of ancient ponderosa pines stands isolated amid arid sagebrush—a literal “lost forest.” Hiking trails like the Bridge Creek Trail offer solitude and unique high-desert ecology, contrasting sharply with lush forests elsewhere in Oregon. The surreal juxtaposition of the road name and the landscape invites reflection on Oregon’s diverse ecosystems. Summer mornings are ideal for exploring here, before afternoon heat sets in.
Finally, venture to the southern coast near Gold Beach, about 40 miles south of Coos Bay, where the Rogue River Loop Road encircles the famous Rogue River. Along this scenic drive, you’ll find roads named after local legends and natural features, such as “Barley Beach Road.” The Rogue River is renowned for salmon runs and whitewater rafting, with the Rogue River Trail offering moderate hikes through old-growth forest. Visiting in late summer or early fall lets you witness salmon migration and enjoy warm, clear days perfect for river adventures. The names along this stretch are woven into the rugged, enduring character of Oregon’s wild coastal rivers.
Each of these roads invites travelers not just to pass through, but to pause and ponder the stories etched into Oregon’s landscape. From historic mishaps and Native American myths to rugged geology and colorful local characters, the state’s strangest road names serve as signposts to its richly layered past and vividly unique places. Exploring them is a journey into the heart of Oregon’s quirky charm, where every turn reveals something unexpected just beyond the horizon.