Oregon is a beautiful state filled with forests, mountains, rivers, and coastlines. It has a rich history and culture that lend themselves well to riddles. Here are 47 riddles about different facts, places, and things related to Oregon with the answers provided.
Geography Riddles
Let’s start with some riddles related to Oregon’s diverse geography and natural features.
Riddle 1
I am a giant peak that towers above all others in Oregon. Snow caps my head even in summer. Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson are my neighbors. What mountain am I?
Answer: Mount Washington
Riddle 2
I am a deep lake located in central Oregon formed by a lava dam. I am popular for my crystal clear blue waters. In summer, I am warm enough for swimming and waterskiing. What am I?
Answer: Crater Lake
Riddle 3
I am Oregon’s longest river, originating in the Blue Mountains and meeting the Columbia River at the northern border. Parts of me are popular for whitewater rafting. What river am I?
Answer: Deschutes River
Riddle 4
I am a 363-foot waterfall located in the Columbia River Gorge, making me one of the tallest waterfalls in Oregon. I am a popular sightseeing destination with my dramatic cliff backdrop. What waterfall am I?
Answer: Multnomah Falls
Riddle 5
I am a coastal city in Oregon known for my beautiful miles of sandy beaches, boardwalk, and Haystack Rock. Kite flying is popular here due to my windy conditions. What city am I?
Answer: Cannon Beach
State History Riddles
Next up are some riddles related to Oregon state history.
Riddle 6
I am a famous wagon route that brought thousands of settlers out West in the mid-1800s. I ended in Oregon City. What historic route am I?
Answer: Oregon Trail
Riddle 7
I was the only state in the continental U.S. that allowed African Americans to settle here when I became a state in 1859. I had hoped to become a place with no discrimination. What state am I?
Answer: Oregon
Riddle 8
I am the oldest city in Oregon, established in 1829 as a fur trading post. I served as the end point for the Oregon Trail and capital of the Oregon Territory. What city am I?
Answer: Oregon City
Riddle 9
I am a city in Eastern Oregon named after pioneers who had to abandon their wagons and supplies to survive a harsh winter in 1843. What city am I?
Answer: La Grande
Riddle 10
I am the Native American tribe that assisted Lewis & Clark on their expedition through Oregon. We provided the explorers with horses and shared knowledge of the land. Who are we?
Answer: Nez Perce
State Symbols Riddles
How well do you know Oregon’s state symbols? Try these riddles to find out.
Riddle 11
I am the state flower of Oregon, known for my pink petals and yellow center. I bloom in summer and can grow up to 3 feet tall. What flower am I?
Answer: Oregon grape
Riddle 12
I am the state animal of Oregon, a medium-sized deer with black tails. Lewis & Clark wrote about seeing my kind during their expedition. What animal am I?
Answer: Roosevelt elk
Riddle 13
I am the state fish of Oregon, a large food fish native to the North Pacific Ocean. I can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh over 100 pounds. What fish am I?
Answer: Chinook salmon
Riddle 14
I am the state insect of Oregon, a large moth with wingspans reaching 5 inches. My name refers to the noisier male of my species. What am I?
Answer: Oregon swallowtail
Riddle 15
I am the state rock of Oregon, popular as a semi-precious gemstone prized for my unique color patterns. I am found along Oregon beaches. What am I?
Answer: Thunderegg
Portland Riddles
Let’s move on to riddles about Oregon’s largest city, Portland.
Riddle 16
I am a famous suspension bridge that spans the Willamette River in Portland. I opened in 1913 and my green color has become a city landmark. What bridge am I?
Answer: St. Johns Bridge
Riddle 17
I am an indoor public market in Portland that opened in 1974. I feature fresh produce, food vendors, and craft stalls under my unique wavy roof. What market am I?
Answer: Pioneer Courthouse Square
Riddle 18
I am a science museum in Portland that features many interactive exhibits and is home to the world’s largest Foucault Pendulum. What museum am I?
Answer: OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)
Riddle 19
I am a popular TV show set in Portland that ran from 2011 to 2022. I followed the quirky employees of a small independent video store. What show am I?
Answer: Portlandia
Riddle 20
I am a famous Portland bookstore that opened in 1971 and became the largest independent bookstore in the world. My iconic neon sign makes me easy to spot. What bookstore am I?
Answer: Powell’s City of Books
University Riddles
Think you know Oregon’s colleges and universities? Try these riddles to find out.
Riddle 21
I am a famous public research university located in Eugene known for my Ducks sports teams. Nike founder Phil Knight is one of my prominent alumni. What university am I?
Answer: University of Oregon
Riddle 22
I am Oregon’s oldest public university located in Corvallis. I have a thriving Greek system and am home of the Beavers sports teams. What university am I?
Answer: Oregon State University
Riddle 23
I am a private Catholic university in Portland known for my nursing, education, and business programs. I was founded in 1901 and my campus is located on top of Terwilliger Boulevard. What university am I?
Answer: University of Portland
Riddle 24
I am a private liberal arts college located in McMinnville, Oregon. I opened in 1849 as a Baptist school and am known for programs in sciences, music, and international studies. What college am I?
Answer: Linfield College
Riddle 25
I am a public liberal arts university located in Monmouth. I began as a normal school and am known for excellence in teacher education. What university am I?
Answer: Western Oregon University
Food Riddles
How well do you know Oregon’s iconic foods and beverages? Test your knowledge with these tasty riddles.
Riddle 26
I am a baked good that originated in Oregon in the 1950s. Scottish immigrants created me by coating fried dough with sugar. What am I?
Answer: Voodoo doughnut
Riddle 27
I am a popular condiment created in Oregon in the 1980s by blending mayonnaise with spices and parsley. I am green in color and often paired with artichokes or crab cakes. What am I?
Answer: Green goddess dressing
Riddle 28
I am a craft brewery founded in Portland in the 1980s that helped launch the city’s reputation for unique beers. My namesake red ale is one of my flagship brews. What brewery am I?
Answer: Widmer Brothers Brewery
Riddle 29
I am a berry that thrives in Oregon’s climate, producing over 90% of the U.S. commercial crop. I am known for making tasty pies, jams, syrups, and wines. What berry am I?
Answer: Marionberry
Riddle 30
I am a yellow vegetable first harvested commercially in Oregon’s Willamette Valley in the 1920s. I am crunchy and nutritious, delicious roasted or raw. What vegetable am I?
Answer: Hazelnut
Famous Oregonians Riddles
Oregon has produced many famous figures over the years. Do you know who these riddles describe?
Riddle 31
I was an Oregon track star who won 4 gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, earning the title “fastest woman in the world.” What is my name?
Answer: Jesse Owens
Riddle 32
I am a famous dancer and choreographer born in Portland who starred in musical films like Singin’ in the Rain and Easter Parade. What is my name?
Answer: Ginger Rogers
Riddle 33
I am a children’s book author born in Portland who created the Frances series about a stubborn badger. What is my name?
Answer: Russell Hoban
Riddle 34
I am an actor born in Oregon who won Oscars for my roles in Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind. What is my name?
Answer: Joaquin Phoenix
Riddle 35
I am a famous animator from Bend, Oregon who created Wallace and Gromit and the characters in Chicken Run. What is my name?
Answer: Nick Park
Place Name Riddles
Let’s move on to some riddles about the unique names of Oregon towns and places.
Riddle 36
I am a city in Eastern Oregon known for its many recreational lakes and rivers. My name means “sun mountain.” What city am I?
Answer: Bend
Riddle 37
I am a coastal city named by settlers in the 1800s for a nearby mountain that resembled a beached whale. What city am I?
Answer: Depoe Bay
Riddle 38
I am a city in the Willamette Valley whose name means “good water” in French, for the nearby springs. What city am I?
Answer: Eugene
Riddle 39
I am a city near the Idaho border named after pioneers reached me by rafting down the Snake River. What city am I?
Answer: Ontario
Riddle 40
I am a coastal city named by a sea captain in the 1800s after a friend’s hometown in Maine. What city am I?
Answer: Yachats
Slogan Riddles
Think you know the slogans of Oregon’s cities and places? Test yourself with these riddles.
Riddle 41
I am the capital of Oregon and my slogan is “Cherry City U.S.A” due to my many cherry orchards. What city am I?
Answer: Salem
Riddle 42
My slogan is “Rover’s Paradise” because I am home to miles of dog-friendly beaches along the Oregon Coast. What city am I?
Answer: Seaside
Riddle 43
My slogan is “Oregon’s Cheese Capital” because I am home to numerous cheese factories including the Tillamook Cheese Factory. What city am I?
Answer: Tillamook
Riddle 44
My slogan is “City of Roses” because I host a giant Rose Festival each spring filled with floral parades and events. What city am I?
Answer: Portland
Riddle 45
My slogan is “Pacific Wonderland” and I am a 362-mile scenic highway running the length of the Oregon Coast. What highway am I?
Answer: Highway 101
Sports Team Riddles
Think you know Oregon’s sports teams? Test your knowledge with these riddles.
Riddle 46
I am a professional basketball team based in Portland. My name refers to the many trees in Oregon and my top players include Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Who am I?
Answer: Portland Trail Blazers
Riddle 47
I am a professional women’s soccer team based in Portland. I joined the NWSL in 2013 and won championships in 2013 and 2017. My players include Becky Sauerbrunn and Lindsey Horan. Who am I?
Answer: Portland Thorns
Conclusion
There are so many fascinating facts, places, and history to discover about the state of Oregon. How many of these 47 Oregon riddles and answers did you get right? Oregon has many recognizable state symbols, unique town names, scenic places, and famous figures to inspire many more riddles in the future. Learning about states through fun riddles is a great way for kids and adults alike to sharpen their thinking skills. Whether you are an Oregon resident or just passing through, this state is sure to inspire your sense of curiosity and wonder.
