Overview
Boring, an unincorporated community of 8,000 people in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, is twinned with Dull, Scotland and Bland Shire, New South Wales. The Boring official slogan is "The most exciting place to live."
2 sights · 3 things to do · 2 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Boring
Mount Hood National Forest
At its closest point, the forest is 25 miles (40km) southeast of Boring on US26. Camping is permitted.
Springwater Corridor Trail
The right-of-way of the former rail line from Boring through Gresham to Portland (1903-1989), the Springwater Corridor Trail follows Johnson Creek into the city.
North American Bigfoot Center
Mountain View Golf Course
18-hole course with view of Mt. Hood, pro shop, café downstairs with sandwiches, snacks and beverages, upstairs restaurant and lounge.
Boring & Dull Day
Annual celebration of sibling village relationship with Dull, Scotland includes a barbershop quartet performance, an ice cream social, an Oregon National Guard flag salute, Scottish bagpiper and drummer. “Welcome to Dull…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 36°F. Wettest: Dec and Nov. (climate data from nearby Portland)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PDX Portland International Airport, Portland — 15 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SLE Salem-Willamette Valley Airport/McNary Field, Salem — 47 mi away. Directions
Take US-26 to Oregon Highway 212, the Clackamas Boring highway. US26, the Mount Hood Highway, is the main road from Portland to Mount Hood through Gresham, Boring and Sandy.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Mount Hood National Forest, North American Bigfoot Center, Mountain View Golf Course
- Lunch Nuts On Sports Pizza
- Afternoon Springwater Corridor Trail, Boring & Dull Day
- Dinner Red Apple Restaurant
- Evening Backroads Pub & Grub
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The town is named for William H. Boring, a Union veteran who had moved to Oregon after the Civil War as one of the earliest settlers in the area and donated an acre to build the first Boring school. Boring was established as a rail junction in 1903 (the lines of the defunct Portland Traction Company, which ran from Portland to Boring, are now mostly trails) and relied on timber as a principal industry for much of the 20th century.
Since 2012, Boring's sister city is tiny Dull, in Perth and Kinross County, Scotland (pop. 85), a former seventh-century monastery site by the River Tay. This partnership has brought many Boring visitors to the one tiny Dull corner of old Scotland and generated publicity for both communities. Along with former gold mining and farming area Bland Shire, West Wyalong, Australia (pop 6,000), these villages form the "League of Extraordinary Communities", a grouping to promote Dull, Bland and Boring by capitalizing on their unique names.
Get in
By car
Take US-26 to Oregon Highway 212, the Clackamas Boring highway. US26, the Mount Hood Highway, is the main road from Portland to Mount Hood through Gresham, Boring and Sandy.
Get around
There is no public transport in this Boring town.
See
Do
Events
Do Boring & Dull Day
Annual celebration of sibling village relationship with Dull, Scotland includes a barbershop quartet performance, an ice cream social, an Oregon National Guard flag salute, Scottish bagpiper and drummer. “Welcome to Dull, Paired with Boring, Oregon, USA: Drive Safely.”
Buy
The Boring Community Planning Organization has been selling commemorative "Boring & Dull" t-shirts, mugs and merchandise.
There is also a raffle for a trip to Dull, Scotland.
Eat
Eat Red Apple Restaurant
Greasy spoon, good breakfast, American and Chinese cuisine.
Drink
Drink Not So Boring Bar & Grill
Chicken, burgers, beer, various 'not so boring' events.
Drink Timber Pub and Grub
Craft beers, t-shirts with slogan "We love Boring people"
Sleep
- Additional lodging options are available in Gresham, South Portland and Clackamas
Nearby
Gresham
City / town · 13 listings · 6 mi away
Troutdale
City / town · 14 listings · 7 mi away
Washougal
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Gladstone
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Camas
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Oregon City
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Milwaukie
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Lake Oswego
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My experience
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