Explore Shaniko's Ghost Town

Heading south from Wasco, the scenery trades off between new farms and old abandoned homesteads. Most areas are fenced off along the road to keep in the roaming cattle, but now and then there is access to adventure off and visit the places that the settlers decided on in the 18-1900's.

About 50 miles south of Wasco, you come over a rise to see an old crossroad surrounded by wooden storefronts and a giant barn declaring this to be Shaniko. Home to a population of 36 people, mostly in the summer, this is one of Oregon's most intact ghost towns.

In the off season, most of the old buildings are locked up. The jail and historical museum are open almost year round. In the summer they open the town up with shops, ice cream, and even a weekend long event called Shaniko days.

East of Shaniko is another sparsely populated town called Antelope. Snaniko is great for a day adventure with the family; they might even learn something along the way.