Ghost Towns in Washington
25 documented ghost towns
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Explore the ghost towns of Washington.
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Bodie
Bodie, Washington, was a gold mining camp that sprouted near the Canadian border. It had a mill, saloon, and hotel. Five original log structures remai...
Carbonado
Carbonado was a coal mining company town with 2,000 residents. The company store, manager's house, and worker cottages survive - rare for Washington. ...
Chesaw
Chesaw was named for Chinese miner Joe Chee Saw. The tiny town hosts an annual Father's Day rodeo....
Cle Elum
Cle Elum and neighboring Roslyn were coal mining towns that attracted immigrants from across Europe. The Roslyn Cemeteries have 25 separate ethnic sec...
Curlew
Curlew was a gold rush town near the Canadian border. The Curlew Lake area drew miners in 1898. About 60 residents remain. The historic Ansorge Hotel ...
Ewan
Ewan was a small agricultural service center in Washington's Palouse wheat country. As farms consolidated and transportation improved, small towns lik...
Franklin
Franklin was a coal mining town in the Green River Gorge. After a major explosion and labor strife, the town declined. Today, foundations and four eth...
Govan
Govan was a Central Washington railroad town. Fire destroyed the business district in 1911. Bypass by US Route 2 sealed its fate. The striking wooden ...
Index
Index was a mining and logging town that has faded to a handful of residents. It is now famous as a rock climbing destination - the Index Wall is one ...
Lester
Lester was a railroad town that was relocated when Mud Mountain Dam threatened to flood it. The original site is largely underwater; relocated buildin...
Liberty
Liberty is Washington's oldest gold mining town and still produces nuggets. A few dozen residents live among historic cabins....
Melmont
Melmont was a coal mining town near Mount Rainier. After a mine explosion and the coal running out, the town was abandoned. The forest has reclaimed i...
Molson
Molson has three townsites (Old, New, and Old-Old) from competing town promoters. Now an open-air museum where visitors wander through abandoned build...
Monte Cristo
Monte Cristo was a gold and silver mining town accessible only by a 4-mile hike on the former railroad grade. At its peak, 2,000 residents lived here....
Nighthawk
Nighthawk grew around gold mines right at the Canadian border. Period buildings and a general store remain....
Northport
Northport smelted lead and silver ore, much of it from British Columbia mines. The Le Roi smelter was one of the largest in the Northwest. When the sm...
Old Yakima
Old Yakima was the original county seat. When the Northern Pacific Railroad bypassed the town, 100 buildings were moved 4 miles to 'North Yakima' (now...
Oysterville
Oysterville grew rich shipping oysters to Gold Rush San Francisco. When the native oysters were depleted and the railroad terminated elsewhere, the to...
Republic
Republic was a gold mining town that still has about 1,100 residents. The Stonerose Fossil Center lets visitors dig for 50-million-year-old plant and ...
Roslyn
Roslyn is famous as the filming location for TV's Northern Exposure. A coal town that declined, it has found new life through tourism and arts....
Ruby
Ruby was the first incorporated city in Okanogan County and a leading silver camp. The Silver Panic of 1893 killed it instantly. Stone foundations and...
Sherman
Sherman flourished briefly during a mining and logging boom. It had a post office and school. The beautiful Sherman Schoolhouse still stands on the si...
Tolt
Tolt was a logging town whose name came from a Snoqualmie word for 'swift running water.' In 1917, it was renamed Carnation after the milk company. To...
Wellington
Wellington was a Great Northern Railway town. In 1910, an avalanche swept two trains off the tracks, killing 96 people - America's deadliest avalanche...
Wilkeson
Wilkeson was a coal mining town that also produced sandstone for buildings. The ruins of beehive coke ovens remain along the Carbon River Trail. About...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ghost towns are in Washington?
We have documented 25 ghost towns in Washington. These range from completely abandoned mining camps to semi-inhabited historic settlements.
Are ghost towns in Washington 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 Washington?
Spring and fall offer the best weather for exploring. Summer can be extremely hot in desert locations, while winter may make roads impassable.