The creeping vole (Microtus oregoni), sometimes known as the Oregon meadow mouse, is a small rodent in the family Cricetidae. Ranging across the Pacific Northwest of North America, it is found in forests, grasslands, woodlands, and chaparral environments. The small-tailed, furry, brownish-gray mammal was first described in the scientific literature in 1839, from a specimen collected near the mouth of the Columbia River. The smallest vole in its range, it weighs around 19 g (11⁄16 oz). At birth, they weigh 1.6 g (1⁄16 oz), are naked, pink, unable to open their eyes, and the ear flaps completely cover the ear openings. Although not always common throughout their range, there are no major concerns for their survival as a species.

The animal was described in 1839 by John Bachman. The original scientific name was Arvicola oregoni with a common name of the Oregon meadow mouse. The type specimen was an older male collected November 2, 1836 near the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon. The specimen had been submitted to Bachman for review by John Kirk Townsend. Subsequent authorities state that it was collected at Astoria, Oregon, which is at the mouth of the Columbia River. In 1857, Baird placed Arvicola oregoni in a section Chilotus of the subgenus Arvicola of the genus Arvicola. In 1874, PNAS paper, Coues reclassified Chilotus as a subgenus and refers to the animal as Arvicola (Chilotus) oregonus. Miller subsequently reclassified the animal in the genus Microtus and maintained the subgenus Chilotus. This was the first reference to the animal under its current scientific name Microtus oregoni. It was subsequently reclassified to the subgenus Mynomes, though the American Society of Mammalogists lumps that subgenus's species in with subgenus Pitymys.

On average, creeping voles weigh around 19 g (11⁄16 oz) with a reported range of 14.5 to 27.5 g (1⁄2 to 1 oz) The average length is around 140 mm (5.5 in), with a range of around 129 to 154 mm (5.1 to 6.1 in) Compared to other voles within their geographic range, they are the smallest. They have smaller eye opening (around 2 mm (0.079 in) in diameter) compared to other voles that share the same geographic range (sympatric) or have adjacent ranges (parapatric). There are other distinguishing features of the roots and enamel of the molar teeth that help in differentiation. Unlike other voles in the range, only the creeping vole and the (much larger) water vole have five plantar tubercles on the hindfeet.

They are Pentadactyl, although the pollex is reduced in size and lack a claw. They walk with their feet planted firmly on the ground (plantigrade locomotion). The foot pads have a moderate amount of fur.

The fur markings are plumbeous to a dark brown or black. There are sometimes yellowish hair markings as well. The underside fur markings tend to be lighter beige to whitish. The tail may be gray to black and often lighter below.

Creeping voles have a relatively short tail, measuring less than 30% their total body length. They have short ears, which are nearly hairless, though a few black hairs present. They protrude just slightly from the fur around the head. They have eight mammae, with two pairs present in each of the pectoral and inguinal regions.

The skull of the creeping vole has a low, flat profile, with a long and slender snout. The zygomatic arches are somewhat delicate. The incisive foramen is short and wide, but not so much as to be a distinguishing feature. They have small molars.

Creeping voles are found in British Columbia in Canada and in Washington, Oregon and northern California, in the United States. They are found as far north as Port Moody, British Columbia and as far south as Mendocino City, California. The western range in Washington extends east to Mount Aix, Lake Chelan, and Signal Peak. The range in Oregon extends east to the north base of Three Sisters and to Crater Lake. There are variable reports as to their occurrence in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. In California, they are found as far east as Beswick and South Yolla Bolly Mountain.