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Where the Forest Meets the Sea: Breathtaking Landscapes of Oregon (PHOTOS)

Oregon is the state that has a little bit of everything, from snowy mountaintops to verdant forests. And despite the seemingly endless rain and fog that keep the sky gray for much of the year, Oregon has managed to topple Washington, D.C. as the favorite location for people moving to new places in the U.S.

According to CNN, the United Van Lines' annual migration survey showed that 61 percent of all interstate moves were people coming to live in Oregon, while the nation's capital fell to fourth place alongside South Dakota. What exactly is making everyone run to the Beaver State?

For some, it's the appeal of Portland, the biggest city in Oregon. The city is known for everything from hipster food trucks and microbreweries to emerging musicians and the Hoyt Arboretum, reported the Huffington Post. And then there's the environmentalists, who might move to Oregon because of its bike-friendly cities and because 88 percent of Oregonians agreed that reducing energy consumption is a good thing, wrote Pacific Standard Magazine.

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But the biggest draw might be Oregon's plethora of parks that are varied enough to offer something for every nature lover. Rock climbers can head to Mount Hood and try one of the 14 routes at French's Dome or rappel on routes along the Razorblade Pinnacle. Beach-lovers may have to wait for the summer to soak up some sun, but the fog doesn't make the shoreline any less beautiful, especially along the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. The salt water fountain known as 'Thor's Well' is a visitor favorite. For hikers, there are enough trails to spend every weekend visiting somewhere new, such as the challenging Timberline Trail around Mount Hood. The 40-mile route encircles the 11,240-foot peak of Mount Hood, reported the Corvallis Gazette Times. And even geology junkies can find the perfect way to spend a weekend by visiting the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, which include the ripping, colorful Painted Hills.

Whether you're itching to move West or just want to planning to make a permanent move to a popular state, explore some of the natural wonders of Oregon in the slideshow above.

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