You’ve seen the whimsical animations Oregon, Only Slightly Exaggerated — scenes of enchanting forests, vineyards, rivers, mountains and more that convey that magical feeling of being in Oregon.
In the past few years the captivating artwork has come to the real world, proudly hand-painted on walls in Oregon where the illustrations represent the destinations. Let the Oregon Mural Trail inspire you to get outside and experience the wonders of each community. Take photos of the murals — perhaps in one of the designated selfie spots — and use the hashtag #OregonIsMagic in social posts to share the love. And while you’re there, visit the landmarks and businesses that make these towns just so magical. Discover the official Oregon Mural Trail locations below.
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Lincoln City
Lincoln City is home to the newest “Magic of Oregon” mural, painted by artists Jeremy Nichols and Blaine Fontana to spotlight the whimsy of the annual Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival (held each September) and Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival (held in June). Year-round, this Central Coast community is known as the home of “Finders Keepers,” in which 3,000 glass floats are placed along Lincoln City’s 7.5 miles of beaches for lucky beachcombers to find and take home. Other big attractions include the Lincoln City Glass Center, Chinook Winds Casino Resort, D River State Recreation Area and Lincoln City Outlets for discount, tax-free shopping. Love the outdoors? Take a whale-watching cruise, go golfing, paddling, surfing or take a hike — favorites include Cascade Head and Drift Creek Falls.
Find the mural on the side of McKay’s Market, 801 SW Hwy 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367
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Pendleton
Located in downtown Pendleton, the George Fletcher mural celebrates one of the greatest Black rough-stock riders in the early days of rodeo. He’s most famous for the pivotal World Title saddle bronc-riding contest at the 1911 Pendleton Round-Up, his hometown rodeo. In 1969 he became one of 10 people inducted into the first class of the Pendleton Round-Up Hall of Fame. His story set in motion the conversation of race for cowboys in the sport of rodeo, paving the way for Black rodeo competitors for years to come. Read up on him as one of Pendleton’s pioneers who shaped the way for diversity. The George Fletcher mural was installed in 2021, painted by Forest For the Trees artist Jeremy Nichols in partnership with the Wildhorse Foundation, Pendleton Foundation Trust and City of Pendleton Arts Commission.
The mural was officially unveiled by Charles “Chuck” Sams of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, director of the National Park Service.
Find the mural at the Old West Federal Credit Union building, 301 S Main St., Pendleton, OR 97801
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Yachats
Located on a quiet stretch of the central Oregon Coast, Yachats is a friendly coastal village of innovative shops, art galleries and restaurants, luxury lodges and rustic beach cottages. The ocean meets the forest here at Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, the highest point on the Oregon Coast with some of the most dramatic views on the entire coastline. From the visitor center, you can hike to rocky shoreline and the crashing waves of the Spouting Horn on the paved Captain Cook Trail, or choose from trails that take you into a green sitka spruce forest rich with moss, ferns and towering trees. In Yachats and nearby Waldport and Seal Rock, rivers, bays and estuaries make a perfect basecamp for crabbing, paddling and tidepool exploring.
Find the mural on Highway 101: 348 US-101, Yachats, OR 97498
Forest Grove
Tucked into the Tualatin Valley not far from Portland, Forest Grove lives up to its name with tree-lined streets that are home to Oregon’s largest sequoia tree at the historic Hinman House. The city is just minutes from the area’s award-winning wineries and an impressive collection of breweries, distilleries and cideries. The Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway spins through town and past vineyards and dairy farms before joining the Banks-Vernonia State Trail further north. From here it’s easy to explore Portland’s urban core, Oregon’s wine country, the Tillamook Forest and Oregon’s North Coast.
Find the mural on the corner of Main & Pacific: 2001 Main Street, Forest Grove, OR 97116
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Roseburg
The Umpqua Valley’s largest city, Roseburg, is an inviting destination for arts and culture — and a jumping-off point for adventures. The Wild and Scenic North Umpqua River is just minutes away, where fly fishers cast lines and mountain bikers flock to an IMBA Epic Ride. Along the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, known as a highway of waterfalls, hikers can encounter more than 15 dazzling cascades. Take a downtown walking tour to learn about the historic Applegate Trail and the 1959 Roseburg Blast. For another glimpse into the past, visit the six covered bridges nearby. Foodies will love the eateries in Roseburg, part of the Great Umpqua Food Trail, and the valley’s long winemaking tradition dating back more than a century. Major Oregon attractions are an easy drive away, like Wildlife Safari in Winston and the iconic Crater Lake National Park to the east.
Find the mural at Roseburg Public Library: 1409 NE Diamond Lake Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470
Ontario
At Oregon’s eastern edge (in a different time zone!), Ontario is the gateway to desert beauty, stunning river canyons and towering mountain ranges. Locals call it Treasure Valley for good reason. Any time of year, this little town is a great sunny destination and basecamp to outdoor adventures at the Owyhee Canyonlands, Pillars of Rome and more. Find Oregon Trail history, including original wagon ruts, to the west near Vale. Along the way, see the iconic Malheur Butte. Ontario is famous as the home of the tater tot (thanks to its Ore-Ida potato plant), but the city’s restaurants deserve recognition too, especially the charming ambiances of Second and Vine Bistro and Jolts & Juice. Make time for Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum, which honors the area’s cultural heritage — Native American, Basque, European, Hispanic and Japanese.
Find the mural at Red Apple Marketplace: 555 SW 4th Ave, Ontario, OR 97914
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Completion. #oregonismagic #prineville #notjustbend #crookedriverbrewing #traveloregon
Prineville
Central Oregon’s oldest city, Prineville, is the gateway to the Ochoco National Forest and its half-million acres of wooded foothills, lakes and rivers. Anglers will find trout in Walton Lake at the forest’s west end and exceptional fly fishing on the Crooked River east of Prineville. Access the Steins Pillar trail to see one of the region’s most unique geological features. Prineville is home to the 37-mile Crooked River Scenic Bikeway and Prineville State Reservoir Park, a designated Dark Sky Park for its pristine night-sky stargazing. Good Bike Co. offers custom bike trips, including agritourism tours to Crooked River Open Pastures (CROP) farms. To gem-seekers’ delight, Prineville has the unofficial title of Rockhound Capital of the U.S.; pick up a rockhound map at the Prineville Chamber of Commerce. A walking tour of downtown leads to A.R. Bowman Museum, featuring 700+ Oregon history books.
Find the mural at 420 N Main St, Prineville, OR 97754
Oakridge
Nature lovers are charmed by Oakridge, a thickly forested Willamette Valley wonderland at the western foot of the Cascades. Dubbed the “Mountain Bike Capital of the Northwest,” Oakridge has hundreds of miles of singletrack trails, many of which start and end in the city. There are also trails for hiking and horseback riding, plus excellent trout fishing for anglers. East of town, a short hike leads to Salt Creek Falls, Oregon’s second highest single-drop waterfall. In winter, access the falls by snowshoe at Salt Creek Sno-Park or enjoy downhill and Nordic skiing at Willamette Pass ski area. A soak at McCredie Hot Springs is always nice. The bright red Office Covered Bridge is an iconic landmark.
Find the mural across from Oakridge City Hall: 48318 E 1st St, Oakridge, OR 97463
The Dalles
A historic city on the sunny eastern Columbia River Gorge, The Dalles is fortunate to have easy access to rivers, hiking trails and scenic drives. In its historic downtown, visit the dazzling National Neon Sign Museum. Get out on the water with a fishing, rafting or paddling adventure. The area’s unique geology provides one-of-a-kind habitat for orchards, vineyards and farmland. Taste the terroir at iconic wineries like Moody Tollbridge, 15 Mile and Sunshine Mill. Get lost in Oregon’s oldest bookstore, Klindt’s Booksellers & Stationers. Learn the region’s history at Fort Dalles and the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Collect souvenirs along the Sunsational Charm Trail. The mural is conveniently located around the corner from Wonderworks Children’s Museum and Freebridge Brewing.
Find the mural at Leeland Property Management: 723 E 2nd St, The Dalles, OR 97058
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Gold Beach
You haven’t really seen the Oregon Coast until you explore Gold Beach. In this friendly community where the Rogue River meets the Pacific Ocean, the coastline stretches for miles in bliss and the seaside hills make for brag-worthy hikes. Quiet beaches welcome beachcombing, bird-watching and crabbing. But if you’re into thrills, join a jetboat tour on the Wild and Scenic Rogue or charter a fishing boat into the ocean. And if you haven’t yet heard of the world-renowned Arch Rock Brewery here, you better get a taste.
Find the mural at the Interior Coverups building: 29325 Ellensburg Ave, Gold Beach, OR 97444
Travel Oregon, in partnership with the Oregon Cultural Trust, is bringing murals to each of Oregon’s regions with Forest for the Trees, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation of contemporary public art and bringing artists together in collaborative settings.
