Shaniko

Shaniko sits along U.S. Route 97 in Wasco County, Oregon, roughly 8 miles north of Antelope. Once rooted in agriculture, the town dwindled to a population of just 30 by the 2020 census, earning its reputation as one of Oregon's better-known ghost towns.

Visitors today find a small, quiet settlement where the agricultural past lingers in weathered storefronts and historic structures scattered along the highway. The sparse population means there is little commercial activity, and the experience is more about absorbing the atmosphere of a nearly abandoned place than checking off a list of attractions.

Shaniko is accessible by standard passenger car via U.S. Route 97, making it an easy stop on a longer road trip through the region. Summer and early fall offer the most comfortable conditions for a visit, while winter months can bring harsh weather to this part of Oregon.