There is no better feeling on a long road trip than to find yourself passing through a town with a name that leaves you chuckling. And lucky for those in the Pacific Northwest, there are plenty of places that do just that.
From towns with rather dull names to places with no name at all, there is no shortage of funny stops throughout this region.
One of the most unique spots even got its name because the town’s first residents didn’t know how to spell their preferred name, so they chose a similar and easier-to-spell option.
Here are ten names of places and towns across the PNW that will leave you in stitches.
Humptulips, Washington
The small town of Humptulips is along Highway 101 just north of Grays Harbor. This silly-sounding name comes from the Salish people and means “hard to pole,” referring to the difficulty of traveling the local river by boat.
Boring, Oregon
This town on the outskirts of Portland sports a rather dull name that has inspired countless jokes over the decades. In fact, the town has really leaned into its boring reputation by declaring itself the sister city of Dull, Scotland. Talk about a match made in heaven!
Weed, California
This northern California town certainly has had no problem leaning into the double meaning of its name. Located near Mt. Shasta, this outpost off of I-5 always has folks chuckling as they drive into town and pass under the arch.
Zigzag, Oregon
Anyone who has driven from Portland to Mt. Hood has passed through the small community with the funny-sounding name Zigzag. One might expect the inspiration to come from the road, but this stretch is remarkably straight.
It turns out the original settlers of the area had noted the zigzag pattern of the local river as it flowed through a ravine and then applied the name to the town, a waterfall, and even the ravine itself.
Walla Walla, Washington
Growing up, I remember Walla Walla and Kalamazoo as the two go-to towns with funny-sounding names. Walla Walla is especially fun to say, as it rolls off the tongue so well.
The name also applies to the famous sweet onions that are grown here and shipped all over the country every fall.
No Name Lake, Oregon
You would think that a lake this beautiful would be honored with a slightly better name than no name at all. But here we are.
No Name Lake sits at the base of Broken Top (another funny-named landmark) in Central Oregon and is a top hiking destination during the summer months.
This lake is not to be confused with Lake No Name in Washington!
Dismal Nitch, Washington
This is one spot that really lives up to its name that was originally foisted upon it by Lewis and Clark! Noted for its dismal weather, Dismal Nitch is now a rest stop with a monument noting the fact that it was the last camping spot for the famed team before they reached the Pacific Ocean.
Hopefully, you’ll be able to visit on a day that doesn’t leave you calling it such an uninspiring name.
Chicken, Alaska
This small town in Alaska is without indoor plumbing, reliable power, or much else in the way of amenities. But that doesn’t stop tourists from flocking here for its quirky nature and the giant chicken statue that stands tall next to town.
The original residents of Chicken are said to have wanted to name it Ptarmigan, the state bird of Alaska, but didn’t know how to spell it, so they went with Chicken instead.
Cape Disappointment, Washington
Imagine being a ship captain in the 1700s and making one mistake that will live on in history forever. Captain John Meares was sailing down the Washington coast in search of the mouth of the Columbia River, and when coming upon Cape Disappointment, he mistakingly identified it as only a bay instead of the river mouth he was looking for.
The disappointment was misguided, but the name has lived on ever since.
Idiotville, Oregon
This unfortunately named spot no longer exists as its logging residents packed up and left long ago. But for those perusing a map of Oregon, you can still find the name located deep in the forest of the coast range.
