Ghost Towns in Oregon
24 documented ghost towns
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History
Explore the ghost towns of Oregon.
All Ghost Towns
Antelope
Antelope was a tiny ranch town until Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh's followers took it over in 1984, renaming it 'Rajneesh.' After the cult collapsed, the to...
Antelope
Antelope was a tiny ranching town of 40 people—until the Rajneesh cult arrived. The Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh's followers built a city, took over local g...
Auburn
Auburn was Oregon's second largest city in 1864 at 5,000 people - larger than Portland. The first gold minted in the Pacific Coast was struck here. Wh...
Aurora
Aurora was founded as a German Christian commune led by Dr. Wilhelm Keil. The colony thrived until his death in 1877. Today, the National Historic Dis...
Bourne
Bourne has preserved mining equipment including an arrastra, a stone wheel used to grind ore. Access is via the Sumpter Valley Railroad....
Boyd
Boyd was a milling center on Fifteenmile Creek. It had a flour mill, hotel, and stores. When the Great Southern Railroad bypassed it for Dufur, Boyd d...
Buncom
Buncom is a tiny ghost town that holds an annual frog jumping contest. The event celebrates the town's quirky character....
Champoeg
Champoeg was where settlers voted in 1843 to form a provisional government, the first American government on the Pacific Coast. The town was destroyed...
Cornucopia
Cornucopia produced $15 million in gold, making it Oregon's richest strike. Buildings remain in this scenic Wallowa Mountains ghost town....
Friend
Friend was another casualty of the railroad's decline. The Great Southern Railroad extended here in 1913, but the tracks were pulled up in 1935. The F...
Golden
Golden was a gold mining town that's now managed by the BLM. The 1892 church (Oregon's oldest wooden church) and 1904 general store are preserved. Vol...
Granite
Granite was Oregon's second-largest city in 1900, with 5,000 people mining gold. Now about 40 residents remain in this remote Blue Mountains town....
Hardman
Hardman had 300 residents, two newspapers, and three hotels. Today only 3 people remain. The white church steeple rises dramatically from golden wheat...
Idiotville
Idiotville was a remote logging camp on Idiot Creek. The name supposedly came from the idea that the location was so remote and the work so hard that ...
Jacksonville
Jacksonville was Oregon's first gold rush town. When the railroad bypassed it, the town froze in time. Now it's a National Historic Landmark with arts...
Jawbone Flats
Jawbone Flats was a mining camp that survived because one miner refused to sell. Now the Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center offers cabins and education ...
Lonerock
Lonerock is Oregon's smallest incorporated city with about 21 residents. It was a wheat farming community that declined. The historic schoolhouse serv...
Mill City
Mill City was built around sawmills on the North Santiam River. The 2020 wildfires devastated nearby areas. Today, it's a small town of about 1,900 th...
Old North Bonneville
Old North Bonneville was demolished and relocated when Bonneville Dam was expanded. The Army Corps of Engineers bought out all residents and moved the...
Rajneeshpuram
Rajneeshpuram was a city built by followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh in the 1980s. The commune committed the first bioterrorism attack in US history ...
Shaniko
Shaniko was the world's largest wool shipping center. When the railroad bypassed it, the wool trade moved on. About 30 residents remain amid preserved...
Sparta
Sparta claims to have had Oregon's first electric lights in 1902, powered by a small hydro plant. The gold mining town had 400 residents. Stone ruins ...
Sumpter
Sumpter was a gold mining town that peaked at 3,500. The Sumpter Valley Dredge left massive tailings piles visible today. The Sumpter Valley Railroad ...
Whitney
Whitney was a logging town on the Sumpter Valley Railroad. A few buildings remain along with railroad artifacts....
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ghost towns are in Oregon?
We have documented 24 ghost towns in Oregon. These range from completely abandoned mining camps to semi-inhabited historic settlements.
Are ghost towns in Oregon safe to visit?
Most ghost towns are safe to explore, but exercise caution. Watch for unstable structures, mine shafts, and wildlife. Some are on private property - always check access rules before visiting.
What should I bring when visiting ghost towns?
Bring water, snacks, sun protection, sturdy shoes, a flashlight, and a first aid kit. Many ghost towns are in remote areas without cell service, so download offline maps.
Can I take artifacts from ghost towns?
No. Removing artifacts, bottles, or debris is illegal and destroys historical sites. Take only photos and leave only footprints.
What's the best time to visit ghost towns in Oregon?
Spring and fall offer the best weather for exploring. Summer can be extremely hot in desert locations, while winter may make roads impassable.