There’s something undeniably alluring about abandoned places in Oregon. Not only do they hold significant historical value, but they also remind us of days gone by. Seeing how nature has slowly reclaimed some of these once-important landmarks is both haunting and beautiful. With that in mind, we’ve created an itinerary for exploring some of the most abandoned places in Oregon. From ghost towns to shipwrecks, this road trip adventure will take you to some truly fascinating destinations.
The trip takes roughly nine hours of driving and can be spread out over as many days and nights as you’d like. Customize your itinerary using this Google Map.
- Fort Stevens State Park
flickr/ Tjflex2 Our abandoned places in Oregon adventure begins in the northwestern tip of the state. Fort Stevens State Park is home to an incredible abandoned military fort. Originally built to protect the area around the Columbia River, the fort was abandoned after WWII. Today, the namesake state park allows visitors to enjoy this historical landmark. Fort Stevens State Park, 1675 Peter Iredale Rd, Hammond, OR 97121, USA
- Peter Iredale Shipwreck
flickr/ Ralph Arvesen Just a stone’s throw away from the military base is the legendary Peter Iredale: the haunting remains of a shipwreck that washed ashore more than 100 years ago. The four-masted steel barque vessel washed ashore in October of 1906 due to a heavy northwest squall. Fortunately, there were no casualties from the shipwreck; however, it still remains among the most haunting places in Oregon. Wreck of the Peter Iredale, Peter Iredale Rd, Hammond, OR 97121, USA
- The Old Mill in Vernonia
flickr/ wiredforlego Next up on this abandoned places in Oregon road trip, you’ll head southeast to the lovely town of Vernonia. The town’s biggest park, Vernonia Lake Park, is home to an abandoned mill. In 1924, the Oregon American Lumber Company opened the mill, which soon became the biggest in the state. By 1957, the old-growth in the area had been logged and the mill closed. Today, all that remains are the abandoned structures.
- Witch’s Castle in Forest Park
Melody / TripAdvisor Continuing southeast, you will soon pass through the city of Portland. One iconic local landmark is the Witch’s Castle, an abandoned, moss-covered stone structure that’s located along the scenic Lower Macleay Trail in Forest Park. The building was installed by Portland Parks and Recreation in the 1930s as a ranger station. The building fell into disrepair and it was eventually abandoned altogether. Yet what makes this one of the most haunted places in Oregon is the history of the land. Witch’s Castle, Lower Macleay Trail, Portland, OR 97210, USA
- Abandoned Power Plant at White River Falls State Park
flickr/ Amy Meredith When you leave Portland, you’ll take Interstate 84 east through the Columbia River Gorge and on to White River Falls State Park. A short, easy trail will take you to the park’s namesake waterfall. If you walk downstream from the falls, you’ll find remnants of the first hydroelectric power plants to appear in Oregon. It was built in 1901 and served Sherman and Wasco Counties until it was discontinued in 1963 after construction modern hydroelectric plants along the river. White River Falls State Park, White River Rd, Maupin, OR 97037, USA
- Shaniko
flickr/ PfeifferPhotos Next, you’ll visit Shaniko, one of the most iconic abandoned places in Oregon. Walking down the empty streets will make you feel like you’ve been transported back in time to the old wild west. Incorporated in 1901, Shaniko was once considered the Wool Capital of the World. Due to two fires and the installation of an alternate railroad route, the town was nearly deserted just 10 years later. Shaniko, OR 97037, USA
- Kent
Kurt Stricker / Moment / Getty Images Near Shaniko is another, lesser-known town that’s full of abandoned buildings of its own. Stop by Kent to see numerous decrepit buildings and rusting ruins as well as a huge, picturesque grain elevator. Kent, OR, USA
- Fort Rock Valley Homestead Museum
flickr/ Loren Kerns Last but not least, this road trip of abandoned places in Oregon will lead you to the incredible Fort Rock Valley Homestead Museum, located beside Fort Rock. This landmark is undoubtedly one of the Oregon desert’s beautiful natural wonders. This unique museum is made up of numerous abandoned buildings from around the area that were relocated to the homestead and arranged into a ghostly, abandoned “village”. Walking down the dusty road and peering into the buildings is a positively fascinating experience. The museum opened in 1988 in an effort to showcase homestead-era buildings and the history of the people who lived there. Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum, 64696 Fort Rock Rd, Fort Rock, OR 97735, USA
What are your thoughts on this road trip to Oregon’s most abandoned places? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below! For more eerily fascinating places, check out the Oregon Ghost Towns Road Trip.
flickr/ Tjflex2
Our abandoned places in Oregon adventure begins in the northwestern tip of the state. Fort Stevens State Park is home to an incredible abandoned military fort. Originally built to protect the area around the Columbia River, the fort was abandoned after WWII. Today, the namesake state park allows visitors to enjoy this historical landmark.
Fort Stevens State Park, 1675 Peter Iredale Rd, Hammond, OR 97121, USA
flickr/ Ralph Arvesen
Just a stone’s throw away from the military base is the legendary Peter Iredale: the haunting remains of a shipwreck that washed ashore more than 100 years ago. The four-masted steel barque vessel washed ashore in October of 1906 due to a heavy northwest squall. Fortunately, there were no casualties from the shipwreck; however, it still remains among the most haunting places in Oregon.
Wreck of the Peter Iredale, Peter Iredale Rd, Hammond, OR 97121, USA
flickr/ wiredforlego
Next up on this abandoned places in Oregon road trip, you’ll head southeast to the lovely town of Vernonia. The town’s biggest park, Vernonia Lake Park, is home to an abandoned mill. In 1924, the Oregon American Lumber Company opened the mill, which soon became the biggest in the state. By 1957, the old-growth in the area had been logged and the mill closed. Today, all that remains are the abandoned structures.
Melody / TripAdvisor
Continuing southeast, you will soon pass through the city of Portland. One iconic local landmark is the Witch’s Castle, an abandoned, moss-covered stone structure that’s located along the scenic Lower Macleay Trail in Forest Park. The building was installed by Portland Parks and Recreation in the 1930s as a ranger station. The building fell into disrepair and it was eventually abandoned altogether. Yet what makes this one of the most haunted places in Oregon is the history of the land.
Witch’s Castle, Lower Macleay Trail, Portland, OR 97210, USA
flickr/ Amy Meredith
When you leave Portland, you’ll take Interstate 84 east through the Columbia River Gorge and on to White River Falls State Park. A short, easy trail will take you to the park’s namesake waterfall. If you walk downstream from the falls, you’ll find remnants of the first hydroelectric power plants to appear in Oregon. It was built in 1901 and served Sherman and Wasco Counties until it was discontinued in 1963 after construction modern hydroelectric plants along the river.
White River Falls State Park, White River Rd, Maupin, OR 97037, USA
flickr/ PfeifferPhotos
Next, you’ll visit Shaniko, one of the most iconic abandoned places in Oregon. Walking down the empty streets will make you feel like you’ve been transported back in time to the old wild west. Incorporated in 1901, Shaniko was once considered the Wool Capital of the World. Due to two fires and the installation of an alternate railroad route, the town was nearly deserted just 10 years later.
Shaniko, OR 97037, USA
Kurt Stricker / Moment / Getty Images
Near Shaniko is another, lesser-known town that’s full of abandoned buildings of its own. Stop by Kent to see numerous decrepit buildings and rusting ruins as well as a huge, picturesque grain elevator.
Kent, OR, USA
flickr/ Loren Kerns
Last but not least, this road trip of abandoned places in Oregon will lead you to the incredible Fort Rock Valley Homestead Museum, located beside Fort Rock. This landmark is undoubtedly one of the Oregon desert’s beautiful natural wonders. This unique museum is made up of numerous abandoned buildings from around the area that were relocated to the homestead and arranged into a ghostly, abandoned “village”. Walking down the dusty road and peering into the buildings is a positively fascinating experience. The museum opened in 1988 in an effort to showcase homestead-era buildings and the history of the people who lived there.
Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum, 64696 Fort Rock Rd, Fort Rock, OR 97735, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Abandoned Places In Oregon April 21, 2020 Beth C. What is the most famous abandoned place in Oregon? As you can tell from the above road trip, there are several fascinating abandoned places in Oregon. Yet of all of these places, the abandoned town of Shaniko truly stands out. When it was incorporated in 1901, Shaniko was actually the fifth largest city in Wasco County. As the Wool Capital of the World, Shaniko would ship millions of pounds of wool and livestock to market each year. Many considered the town to be second only to Portland in importance to the local economy. The boom lasted only ten years and the population declined after a competing railway line was built from Deschutes River Canyon to Bend. What is the most haunted place in Oregon? It’s no surprise that a state as historic as Oregon would also have a handful of haunted landmarks. Among the most famous is the Geiser Grand Hotel. The accommodation was primarily built for wealthy miners in the 1880s and also attracted the attention of gamblers. By the 1960s, the hotel had fallen into disrepair and wouldn’t be restored and reopened until the 1990s. By that time, however, it seemed as though many of the hotel’s original guests had yet to leave; reports of apparitions, paranormal activity, and general feelings of discomfort remained. Today, it’s considered to be a top haunted place in Oregon. Can I go ghost hunting in Oregon? It’s possible to explore some of the most haunted places in Oregon when you sign up for a ghost hunting tour. There are several offered throughout the state, most of which take place in Portland. These nightly walking tours take curious guests to some of Portland’s paranormal hot spots, including the Merchant Hotel.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Abandoned Places In Oregon
April 21, 2020
Beth C.
What is the most famous abandoned place in Oregon? As you can tell from the above road trip, there are several fascinating abandoned places in Oregon. Yet of all of these places, the abandoned town of Shaniko truly stands out. When it was incorporated in 1901, Shaniko was actually the fifth largest city in Wasco County. As the Wool Capital of the World, Shaniko would ship millions of pounds of wool and livestock to market each year. Many considered the town to be second only to Portland in importance to the local economy. The boom lasted only ten years and the population declined after a competing railway line was built from Deschutes River Canyon to Bend. What is the most haunted place in Oregon? It’s no surprise that a state as historic as Oregon would also have a handful of haunted landmarks. Among the most famous is the Geiser Grand Hotel. The accommodation was primarily built for wealthy miners in the 1880s and also attracted the attention of gamblers. By the 1960s, the hotel had fallen into disrepair and wouldn’t be restored and reopened until the 1990s. By that time, however, it seemed as though many of the hotel’s original guests had yet to leave; reports of apparitions, paranormal activity, and general feelings of discomfort remained. Today, it’s considered to be a top haunted place in Oregon. Can I go ghost hunting in Oregon? It’s possible to explore some of the most haunted places in Oregon when you sign up for a ghost hunting tour. There are several offered throughout the state, most of which take place in Portland. These nightly walking tours take curious guests to some of Portland’s paranormal hot spots, including the Merchant Hotel.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
As you can tell from the above road trip, there are several fascinating abandoned places in Oregon. Yet of all of these places, the abandoned town of Shaniko truly stands out. When it was incorporated in 1901, Shaniko was actually the fifth largest city in Wasco County. As the Wool Capital of the World, Shaniko would ship millions of pounds of wool and livestock to market each year. Many considered the town to be second only to Portland in importance to the local economy. The boom lasted only ten years and the population declined after a competing railway line was built from Deschutes River Canyon to Bend.
What is the most haunted place in Oregon?
It’s no surprise that a state as historic as Oregon would also have a handful of haunted landmarks. Among the most famous is the Geiser Grand Hotel. The accommodation was primarily built for wealthy miners in the 1880s and also attracted the attention of gamblers. By the 1960s, the hotel had fallen into disrepair and wouldn’t be restored and reopened until the 1990s. By that time, however, it seemed as though many of the hotel’s original guests had yet to leave; reports of apparitions, paranormal activity, and general feelings of discomfort remained. Today, it’s considered to be a top haunted place in Oregon.
Can I go ghost hunting in Oregon?
It’s possible to explore some of the most haunted places in Oregon when you sign up for a ghost hunting tour. There are several offered throughout the state, most of which take place in Portland. These nightly walking tours take curious guests to some of Portland’s paranormal hot spots, including the Merchant Hotel.
