Top ghost towns
Ghost TownEola
Ghost TownWhitney
Ghost TownKerby
Ghost TownValsetz
Ghost TownHardman
Ghost TownFlora
Ghost TownWaterman
Ghost TownKinzua
Ghost TownOrdnance
Ghost TownBridal Veil
Ghost TownBuncom
Ghost TownChampoeg
Ghost Towns by county
All ghost towns (46)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eola | Polk County | — | Salem | 6 |
| Whitney | Baker County | 1,268 m | Baker City | 1 |
| Kerby | Josephine County | — | Cave Junction | 2 |
| Valsetz | Polk County | 340 m | Siletz | 3 |
| Hardman | Morrow County | 1,086 m | Heppner | 2 |
| Flora | Wallowa County | — | Enterprise | 2 |
| WatermanJohn Day Fossil Beds | Wheeler County | 1,203 m | Prineville | 1 |
| Kinzua | Wheeler County | 1,037 m | Heppner | 2 |
| Ordnance | Umatilla County | 179 m | Hermiston | 3 |
| Bridal Veil | Multnomah County | — | Washougal | 4 |
| Buncom | Jackson County | — | Jacksonville | 3 |
| Champoeg | Marion County | — | Donald | 5 |
| Ballston | Polk County | — | Sheridan | 4 |
| Roy | Washington County | — | Banks | 5 |
| Bayocean | Tillamook County | 4 m | Bay City | 3 |
| Bourne | Baker County | — | Baker City | 2 |
| Boyd | Wasco County | — | The Dalles | 3 |
| Waldo | Josephine County | — | Cave Junction | 2 |
| Golden | Josephine County | — | Merlin | 2 |
| Millican | Deschutes County | — | Deschutes River Woods | 2 |
| Bethel | Polk County | — | Amity | 5 |
| Kernville | Lincoln County | — | Lincoln Beach | 4 |
| Minerva | Lane County | — | Florence | 3 |
| Voltage | Harney County | — | Hines | 1 |
| Lancaster | Lane County | — | Harrisburg | 5 |
| Susanville | Grant County | — | John Day | 1 |
| Ashwood | Jefferson County | — | Madras | 2 |
| Andrews | Harney County | — | Winnemucca | 1 |
| Blitzen | Harney County | — | Winnemucca | 1 |
| Waconda | Marion County | — | Gervais | 5 |
| Ellendale | Polk County | — | Dallas | 5 |
| Idiotville | Washington County | — | Banks | 4 |
| Cornucopia | Baker County | — | Joseph | 1 |
| Divide | Lane County | — | Cottage Grove | 4 |
| Luper | Lane County | — | Junction City | 5 |
| Auburn | Baker County | 1,284 m | Baker City | 2 |
| Jawbone Flats | Marion County | 639 m | Mill City | 3 |
| Necanicum | Clatsop County | 101 m | Cannon Beach | 3 |
| Danner | Malheur County | — | Nampa | 1 |
| Greenback | Josephine County | 582 m | Merlin | 2 |
| Persist | Jackson County | 867 m | Shady Cove | 2 |
| Lamonta | Jefferson County | 951 m | Culver | 3 |
| Malheur City | Malheur County | 1,201 m | Baker City | 1 |
| Latourell | Multnomah County | — | Washougal | 5 |
| Friend | Wasco County | — | The Dalles | 3 |
| Brighton | Tillamook County | — | Rockaway Beach | 3 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph ghost towns
Weathered wood and rusted metal show texture best in low-angle light; overcast skies suit interiors and moody black-and-white work.
- Respect private property and closures: many ghost towns are on private land or protected historic sites — never enter unstable buildings.
- For interiors with windows, blend two exposures (one for inside, one for the view) instead of relying on HDR alone.
- Old buildings under the Milky Way make strong night images in dark rural skies.
- Look for details: door hinges, faded signs, square nails and window frames tell the story.
- Leave everything as you found it; removing artifacts from public land is illegal.
Season: High-elevation mining towns are reachable mostly from June to October; desert ghost towns are best in spring and autumn.