Shaniko Ghost Town

Wasco County, Oregon45.0031, -120.7531

Can you visit?

Private land, lived-in town

Private or unlisted land · Streets public, lots private

Nearest town
28 miWarm Springs, OR
Mild months
Apr–Oct7 of 12
Elevation
3,340 ft1,019 m
Shaniko, Oregon
Photo: Tedder, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shaniko sits in Wasco County, Oregon. People call it a ghost town, though 30 residents were counted in 2020. It lies at about 3,340 feet above sea level. It was founded in 1901. The largest census count on record is 36 people in 2010.

On the map

20 mi40 miMadrasWarm SpringsCulverMetoliusShaniko
  • National Forest
  • Tribal
  • Private or unlisted

Star: Shaniko. Dots: other ghost towns within 40 miles, colored by land manager. Squares: towns over 1,000 people. Rings are straight-line distance. Live map: © OpenFreeMap, OpenMapTiles, OpenStreetMap contributors.

The closest town with more than 1,000 people is Warm Springs, OR, about 28 miles southwest in a straight line. The nearest city over 50,000 is Bend, OR, 71 miles away.

Ghost towns nearby

  1. Kent14 mi north
  2. Axehandle18 mi south
  3. Ashwood19 mi south
  4. Rosebush21 mi north
  5. Fargher22 mi northwest
  6. Horse Heaven23 mi southeast
  7. Mayville28 mi east
  8. Simnasho29 mi west

Distances are straight lines. Roads to ruins are often dirt, and a 20-mile hop can take an hour.

Who owns the land

Private or unlisted land

The town center is not on any public or protected parcel in PAD-US, the national map of public land. People still live here, so streets are open while buildings and lots belong to their owners. Ask before you step onto a property.

The point is the town location from Wikidata, and the land record is from PAD-US 3.0 (USGS). Ruins can spread past that point, and land changes hands faster than the database. How we read PAD-US.

Weather by month

0°20°40°60°80°100°4326Jan4626Feb5329Mar5932Apr6839May7645Jun8750Jul8650Aug7844Sep6436Oct5029Nov4224DecJan: 1.5 inFeb: 1.3 inMar: 1.2 inApr: 1.5 inMay: 2.0 inJun: 1.0 inJul: 0.3 inAug: 0.3 inSep: 0.5 inOct: 1.2 inNov: 1.8 inDec: 1.8 inrain
Mild month (average high 55–88°F, low above 28°F) 32°F, freezing Rain and snow water, inches

Mild months here run April to October, judging by NOAA normals from Antelope 6 Ssw. July to August bring 10 or more days at 90°F and up; snow is normal in April, November to February.

NOAA 1991–2020 normals from the Antelope 6 Ssw station (USC00350197), 13 miles away. About 14.4 inches of precipitation a year.

Facts

LocationWasco County, Oregon
Coordinates45.00306, -120.75306
Elevation3,340 ft (1,019 m)
Founded1901
Census counts2010: 36 · 2020: 30
Also known asShaniko, Oregon, Shaniko, OR
SourcesWikidata Q2358660 · Wikipedia article

Questions

Where is Shaniko ghost town?

In Wasco County, Oregon, at 45.0031, -120.7531. The closest town with more than 1,000 people is Warm Springs, OR, about 28 miles southwest in a straight line. The nearest city over 50,000 is Bend, OR, 71 miles away.

Can you visit Shaniko?

Private land, lived-in town. The town center is not on any public or protected parcel in PAD-US, the national map of public land. People still live here, so streets are open while buildings and lots belong to their owners. Ask before you step onto a property.

When is the best time to visit Shaniko?

Mild months here run April to October, judging by NOAA normals from Antelope 6 Ssw. July to August bring 10 or more days at 90°F and up; snow is normal in April, November to February.

Are there other ghost towns near Shaniko?

Yes. Kent (14 mi), Axehandle (18 mi), Ashwood (19 mi), Rosebush (21 mi).

More ghost towns in Oregon

All 165 ghost towns in Oregon · Ghost towns near Portland · Ghost towns near Bend