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Oregon Attractions

Here Are The 8 Most Dangerous, Deadly Places In Oregon

By Catherine Armstrong | Updated on November 25, 2022   (Originally published November 22, 2022)
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Catherine Armstrong

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Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.

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Oregon is the most beautiful state in the nation, no doubt about it. We enjoy some seriously scenic places here…but some of them are also dangerous, and even deadly. From car crashes to floating logs (yes…logs!), here are eight of the most deadly and dangerous places in Oregon.

1. US 26 And I-405, Portland
Cacophony/Wikimedia CC
The Oregon Department of Transportation reports that this is the most dangerous intersection in all of Oregon.
2. Driftwood Shelters
Orin Blomberg/flickr
Driftwood seems harmless, right? People have been seriously injured and have even died by playing in old driftwood shelters that have collapsed. If you didn’t build it, you have no idea how old it is, or if it’s stable.
3. Columbia River Gorge
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon, USA
Patrick M/flickr
Oregon’s beauty is unparalleled, but our wild places are just that... wild. Hikers in the Columbia River Gorge area are exposed all kinds of dangerous and even fatal conditions. People suffer from hypothermia and also fall to their deaths of the gorge’s steep cliffs. Dress appropriately for fast-changing weather, and stay on the trail!
4. Oceanside Cliffs
Kirt Edblom/flickkr
Oregon’s coastal cliffs are stunning... but they can also be very dangerous. The edges can crumble right under your feet...and falls are dangerous and even deadly.

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5. Medford
Medford, OR, USA
Dee Coetzee/flickr
With a population of 85,824, Medford has a combined rate of violent and property crime that is very high compared to other places of similar population size.
6. The Dalles
The Dalles, OR 97058, USA
cmh2315fl/flickr
Historically, The Dalles has ranked on several "most dangerous" lists, with violent crimes higher than usual. Recently, however, this town has become a bit safer (statistically speaking), according to Movato.
7. Logs In The Water
Scott McCracken/flickr
Logs? Yes...logs. They look perfectly harmless, but when a wave hits a floating log and throws it at you, the result is devastating. Don’t play in the water near floating logs, and keep an eye on the tide, which can creep up on you.
8. Southeast Division Street, Portland
Southeast Division Street, SE Division St, Portland, OR, USA
Google Earth
Portland is America’s Best Bike City, so it only follows that it also has a high number of bicycle-auto accidents. The Oregon Department of Transportation reports that Southeast Portland had the most bicycle-auto crashes, and of the top 10 most dangerous, Southeast Division Street was the worst, with 59 accidents during a five-year period.

Now that we’ve given you some of the most dangerous places in Oregon, here’s the good news. You might need take a few safety precautions here and there, but Oregon is simply gorgeous. Check out these 12 Scenic Overlooks. (Just don’t get too close to the edge!)

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More to Explore

Dangerous places in Oregon

Sarah | December 26, 2021

What are the most dangerous towns in Oregon?

We happen to think that Oregon is the very best place to live. It’s the most beautiful state in the nation, with the best people. We also feel pretty safe here in The Beaver State, and according to the FBI’s Report of Crime Statistics for 2019 (the latest available data), our state ranks 32nd in the nation for violent crime. It comes as no surprise that Oregon’s larger cities are considered to be more dangerous than their small town brethren, but there are some odd anomalies that defy the stats (often in a good way, as with Beaverton — it’s one of Oregon’s larger towns, but its crime rates are quite low!). Here is a list of the 10 most dangerous places in Oregon to live in, according to the most recent data from the website RoadSnacks.com.

What are the most dangerous hikes in Oregon?

With great beauty often comes great danger, and some of the most beautiful places in Oregon are also, unfortunately, the most dangerous. Several of the hikes within the wondrous Columbia River Gorge, for example, are ranks as incredibly dangerous and advised for only the most experienced and cautious hikers. Be sure to exercise caution when tackling some of these trails... especially those with expansive vistas.

What are the safest places to live in Oregon?

Despite what the above list suggests, Oregon is a safe place to be -- and live! are simply so many wonderful places to live in Oregon! Beaverton has actually been hailed as one of the best places to live in the entire country — and we don’t disagree! With just under 100,000 residents, it’s the sixth-largest city in the entire state of Oregon. What makes Beaverton stand out are the well-planned, family-friendly neighborhoods combined with its unforgettable scenery so characteristic of the Pacific Northwest. Yet somehow, Beaverton is a larger city that still manages to have a low crime rate. West Linn is another hidden gem; it’s located in Clackamas County, just south of Portland, and has received countless accolades and recognition as one of the safest places to live in the country!

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