Hidden throughout Oregon are many fascinating places that will make you feel as though you’ve been transported to the old Wild West. From untouched high desert landscapes to gold rush ghost towns, here are 8 unique places where you can still experience what Oregon was like way back in the day.
- Shaniko
flickr/ Jasperdo See history brought to life at this amazingly preserved ghost town in Wasco County. Walking down the dusty streets of Shaniko, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported back in time.
- Steens Mountain
flickr/ Jon. D. Anderson Located in the remote corner of southeast Oregon, Steens Mountain is a gorgeous, rugged slice of wilderness that looks much the same as it did 100 years ago.
While visiting, you might get a glimpse of some of the numerous wild horses that live in the area.
flickr/ Dan Dzurisin
- Jacksonville
flickr/ JOHN LLOYD Located in southern Oregon, the lovely town of Jacksonville is full of fascinating history. Full of incredible, 100-year-old buildings, the entire downtown was designated a National Historic Landmark. Visiting the town is a great combination of old and new, as you’ll find great cafes, shops, and restaurants inside many of the historic western-style buildings.
- Pendleton Round-Up
flickr/ Eliza Adam Every year, the historic town of Pendleton hosts the state’s largest rodeo, the Pendleton Round-Up. There are all kinds of competitions including bull riding, wild cow-milking, barrel racing, and more, as well as Pow Wows, a parade, and more.
- Owyhee Canyon
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington Located in a remote section of eastern Oregon, the Owyhee Canyonlands is a vast expanse of rugged terrain and winding rivers totally untouched by the modern day.
- National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
flickr/ Doug Kerr Located in Baker City, this incredible interpretive center gives visitors a real sense of what life was like on the Oregon Trail. On over 500 acres of rugged high desert, you can also hike around the area on foot and even check out real wagon wheel ruts left in the dirt from the original Oregon Trail.
- Frenchglen
flickr/ Bruce Fingerhood Frenchglen is a tiny, remote town with a population of roughly 12, located between the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and Steens Mountain. Stay at the historic Frenchglen Hotel for a unique overnight experience.
- Kam Wah Chung Heritage Site
flickr/ oregon ducatisti Kam Wah Chung & Co. is a amazing slice of history preserved in the form of a store, apothecary, and Chinese community center dating back to 1866. Untouched for many years, visitors can now step inside to see this fascinating store to see it just as it was all those years ago.
Find out about Oregon’s unique Cowboy Dinner Tree Restaurant here.
flickr/ Jasperdo
See history brought to life at this amazingly preserved ghost town in Wasco County. Walking down the dusty streets of Shaniko, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported back in time.
flickr/ Jon. D. Anderson
Located in the remote corner of southeast Oregon, Steens Mountain is a gorgeous, rugged slice of wilderness that looks much the same as it did 100 years ago.
flickr/ Dan Dzurisin
flickr/ JOHN LLOYD
Located in southern Oregon, the lovely town of Jacksonville is full of fascinating history. Full of incredible, 100-year-old buildings, the entire downtown was designated a National Historic Landmark. Visiting the town is a great combination of old and new, as you’ll find great cafes, shops, and restaurants inside many of the historic western-style buildings.
flickr/ Eliza Adam
Every year, the historic town of Pendleton hosts the state’s largest rodeo, the Pendleton Round-Up. There are all kinds of competitions including bull riding, wild cow-milking, barrel racing, and more, as well as Pow Wows, a parade, and more.
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington
Located in a remote section of eastern Oregon, the Owyhee Canyonlands is a vast expanse of rugged terrain and winding rivers totally untouched by the modern day.
flickr/ Doug Kerr
Located in Baker City, this incredible interpretive center gives visitors a real sense of what life was like on the Oregon Trail. On over 500 acres of rugged high desert, you can also hike around the area on foot and even check out real wagon wheel ruts left in the dirt from the original Oregon Trail.
flickr/ Bruce Fingerhood
Frenchglen is a tiny, remote town with a population of roughly 12, located between the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and Steens Mountain. Stay at the historic Frenchglen Hotel for a unique overnight experience.
flickr/ oregon ducatisti
Kam Wah Chung & Co. is a amazing slice of history preserved in the form of a store, apothecary, and Chinese community center dating back to 1866. Untouched for many years, visitors can now step inside to see this fascinating store to see it just as it was all those years ago.
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