Discover the Most Haunted Places in Oregon: Your Complete Paranormal Guide

Oregon’s misty forests, rugged coastlines, and historic towns harbor some of the Pacific Northwest’s most chilling paranormal activity. From the spirits of Shanghai tunnel victims to ghostly lighthouse keepers still tending their posts, the Beaver State offers ghost hunters and curious travelers an unforgettable journey into the unknown.

Whether you’re a seasoned paranormal investigator or just looking for a spine-tingling adventure, Oregon’s haunted locations deliver authentic encounters that have been documented for generations. Let me walk you through the state’s most notorious haunted spots, what makes them so active, and how you can experience them yourself.

The Shanghai Tunnels: Portland’s Underground Terror

Beneath Portland’s bustling downtown streets lies a dark network of passages with one of the most disturbing histories in American folklore. The Shanghai Tunnels, also known as the Portland Underground, served as kidnapping routes during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The Dark History

These underground corridors connected the basements of hotels, saloons, and businesses to the waterfront. Unsuspecting men (and some women) were drugged, knocked unconscious, or trapped through trapdoors, then dragged through these tunnels to be sold to ship captains as forced labor. This practice, known as “shanghaiing,” claimed hundreds of victims.

Paranormal Activity

Visitors and tour guides report intense experiences in these claustrophobic passages. Shadow figures dart between archways, disembodied voices echo through the brick corridors, and many people feel sudden, overwhelming dread in certain sections. Some have reported being touched or grabbed by unseen hands, and cold spots appear even during summer months.

The most haunted section is believed to be near the old holding cells where victims were kept before being transported to ships. EVP recordings have captured what sounds like pleading voices and the rattling of chains.

Visiting Information

Several companies offer guided tours of the accessible tunnel sections. The tours run year-round, with special paranormal investigation tours available. Book in advance, especially during October. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket since temperatures underground stay cool.

Pittock Mansion: Portland’s Gothic Haunting

Perched high in the West Hills overlooking Portland, this French Renaissance-style mansion built in 1914 for newspaper magnate Henry Pittock and his wife Georgiana has become one of Oregon’s most documented haunted locations.

The Spirits of the Pittocks

Both Henry and Georgiana reportedly never left their beloved home after death. Staff and visitors have encountered a well-dressed gentleman in the library who vanishes when approached, believed to be Henry still reviewing his newspapers. Georgiana’s presence manifests as the strong scent of roses in her bedroom and the sound of rustling fabric in empty hallways.

Unexplained Phenomena

The mansion experiences frequent electrical anomalies, with lights turning on and off without explanation. Security systems have captured footage of doors opening on their own, and the grand piano in the music room has been heard playing when no one is present.

Visitors often report feeling watched, particularly on the grand staircase. Photographs taken in the mansion sometimes reveal orbs or unexplained mist, especially in the gate lodge where the groundskeeper once lived.

Planning Your Visit

The mansion is open for daytime tours throughout the year. While official “ghost tours” aren’t regularly scheduled, the regular historic tours provide plenty of time to explore and potentially encounter paranormal activity. The mansion closes for several weeks in January for maintenance.

Heceta Head Lighthouse: Oregon’s Most Haunted Beacon

Standing on a dramatic cliff above the Pacific Ocean, Heceta Head Lighthouse has been guiding ships since 1894. It’s also home to “Rue,” one of the West Coast’s most famous lighthouse ghosts.

The Legend of Rue

The spirit known as Rue is believed to be the ghost of a mother whose young daughter died at the lighthouse in the late 1800s. Some say the child fell from the cliffs, others claim illness took her. Rue has been seen in the keeper’s house (now a bed and breakfast) wearing a long gray dress, searching eternally for her lost daughter.

Documented Encounters

Guests staying in the keeper’s house have witnessed Rue floating through walls, standing at windows overlooking the ocean, and appearing in mirrors. Her presence is often accompanied by the scent of flowers and a profound sense of sadness.

Maintenance workers have reported tools mysteriously moving, attic windows that won’t stay closed (Rue seems to prefer them open), and inexplicable scratches appearing on freshly cleaned glass. One contractor photographing damage for insurance purposes captured a clearly visible female figure in period clothing in the attic window, though no one was upstairs at the time.

Stay Overnight

The keeper’s house operates as a seven-room bed and breakfast. Staying overnight gives you the best chance of encountering Rue. The Mariner’s Room and Cape Cove Room are reported as the most active. Book months in advance, especially for October dates.

McMenamins Edgefield: Troutdale’s Paranormal Property

This sprawling property in Troutdale started as the Multnomah County Poor Farm in 1911, housing the destitute, elderly, and mentally ill. Today it’s a McMenamins hotel and entertainment complex, but the spirits from its darker past remain.

A Complex History

Thousands died on the property during its decades as a poor farm. Many were buried in unmarked graves. The facility also included a tuberculosis ward, adding to the property’s tragic history. When McMenamins purchased and renovated the property in 1990, they uncovered evidence of the suffering that occurred there.

Active Locations

The Little Red Shed is the most paranormally active spot on the property. This small building served various purposes over the years, including as a morgue. Visitors report shadow figures, disembodied footsteps, and an overwhelming sense of unease. Staff refuse to enter alone after dark.

The hotel rooms in the main building experience activity ranging from lights flickering to full apparitions. Room 215 is particularly active, with guests reporting a female spirit who sits at the foot of the bed. The Power Station Pub, built in the old boiler room, has regulars who’ve encountered a man in work clothes who vanishes when approached.

Exploring Edgefield

You can explore most of the property during business hours by visiting the restaurants and bars. Staying overnight in the hotel gives you access to the grounds after hours when activity increases. The Black Rabbit Restaurant occupies the original poor farm building and maintains historical photographs showing the property’s evolution.

Columbia Gorge Hotel: The Lady in Pink

Perched on a cliff above the Columbia River in Hood River, this 1921 hotel has hosted celebrities and presidents. It’s also home to one of Oregon’s most benevolent ghosts.

The Lady in Pink

A woman in a pink gown has been spotted throughout the hotel for decades. Legend says she committed suicide by jumping from the cliff after being stood up at the altar. However, no historical records confirm this story. What is confirmed are hundreds of sightings of a woman in period clothing walking the halls, standing on balconies, and appearing in photographs.

Guest Experiences

Unlike many haunted hotels, encounters with the Lady in Pink leave visitors feeling peaceful rather than frightened. Guests report waking to find her standing at the foot of their bed, simply watching over them. She’s been seen in the restaurant during breakfast service, and staff have spotted her on security cameras walking through locked doors.

The third floor is the most active, particularly rooms overlooking the gorge. Guests have heard phantom knocking, found their belongings rearranged, and experienced sudden temperature drops.

Stay and Investigate

The hotel welcomes guests and doesn’t shy away from its haunted reputation. Request a room on the third floor if you’re hoping for an encounter. The Valentine’s Day package is popular with couples seeking both romance and possibly a paranormal experience.

White Eagle Saloon: Portland’s Rowdy Spirits

This historic bar in North Portland has been serving drinks since 1905. It’s also served as a hotel, brothel, and reportedly, the site of multiple murders. Today it’s considered one of Portland’s most reliably haunted locations.

Violent History

The White Eagle operated as a boarding house with a brothel upstairs. Several murders occurred on the property, including stabbings in barroom brawls and the death of a prostitute. The basement, once connected to the Shanghai Tunnels, was used to hold shanghaied men before they were transported to ships.

Paranormal Activity

The upstairs hotel rooms (available for rent) are extremely active. Room 2 is reportedly haunted by Rose, a prostitute murdered by a jealous customer. Guests report her perfume, cold spots, and objects moving. Some have photographed what appears to be a woman’s face in the mirror when no one is present.

The basement remains one of Portland’s most intense paranormal locations. Investigators have captured EVPs of men speaking in distressed tones, recorded sudden temperature drops of 20+ degrees, and experienced equipment malfunctions. Many people can’t tolerate being in the basement for more than a few minutes due to feelings of panic and dread.

Visiting the White Eagle

The bar is open to the public and hosts live music regularly. The staff knows the history and can point out the most active areas. You can rent the upstairs rooms, though they’re basic accommodations. The basement is occasionally accessible during special tours.

Oregon State Hospital: Salem’s Infamous Asylum

Made famous by the film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” which was filmed here, the Oregon State Hospital opened in 1883 and operated continuously until parts of it closed in recent years. Its history of overcrowding, primitive treatments, and patient deaths has created intense paranormal activity.

A Troubling Past

At its peak, the hospital held over 3,000 patients in conditions we’d consider inhumane today. Treatments included electroshock therapy, hydrotherapy, and lobotomies. A ward fire in 1883 killed several patients. In 2004, over 5,000 copper canisters containing cremated remains of former patients were discovered in a storage room, abandoned and forgotten.

Documented Phenomena

Security guards and maintenance workers report screaming coming from empty wards, shadow figures walking the corridors, and the sound of gurneys rolling when none are present. The old ward tunnels are particularly active, with investigators capturing EVPs and experiencing equipment failures.

The J Ward, which housed the criminally insane, produces some of the most disturbing phenomena. Visitors report feelings of being watched, followed, and in some cases, physically touched or pushed by unseen forces.

Access Limitations

Most of the historic hospital is not open to public tours due to safety concerns and ongoing renovations. However, the Museum of Mental Health occasionally offers special tours. The grounds are accessible, and the exterior can be photographed. Always respect posted signs and private property boundaries.

Oaks Amusement Park: Portland’s Playful Phantoms

Operating since 1905, this historic amusement park on the Willamette River is one of the oldest continuously operating parks in the country. After dark, when the crowds leave, other visitors emerge.

Tragedy and Ghosts

Several deaths occurred at the park over its 100+ year history, including drownings in the adjacent river and accidents on rides. The park’s historic roller skating rink has produced the most paranormal reports.

Ghostly Encounters

Security guards report seeing children skating in the rink after closing, hearing laughter and music when the building is empty, and finding the carousel running on its own after being shut down for the night. The antique carousel horses have been seen moving without the ride operating.

Workers in the bumper car building have encountered a man in 1920s clothing who appears to be watching the riders before vanishing. The smell of old popcorn and cotton candy sometimes wafts through empty buildings.

Visiting Oaks Park

The park operates seasonally, typically March through September. While you can’t investigate after hours, visiting during slow periods (weekday afternoons) might allow you to notice unusual activity. The skating rink hosts year-round events and has the most frequent reports.

Wolf Creek Inn: Oregon’s Oldest Haunted Hotel

Built in 1883 along the old stage route between California and Portland, the Wolf Creek Inn is Oregon’s oldest continuously operating hotel. It’s hosted Jack London, Clark Gable, and numerous spirits who refuse to check out.

Historic Hauntings

Room 215 is the most active, with guests reporting a motherly presence who tucks them in at night and straightens their belongings. Some believe this is the spirit of a former innkeeper who loved caring for guests.

The second-floor hallway produces frequent sightings of a man in period clothing who walks through walls where doorways once existed. Footsteps echo through empty corridors, and guests report conversations happening in adjacent rooms that turn out to be vacant.

Paranormal Experiences

The hotel restaurant sees regular activity, including place settings being rearranged, silverware clinking when no one is near, and the feeling of being watched while dining. Staff have witnessed glasses sliding across tables on their own.

The third floor, which housed servants’ quarters, generates reports of children laughing and playing, though no children are present. Some guests have heard what sounds like a woman crying late at night.

Overnight Stays

The hotel welcomes ghost enthusiasts and doesn’t discourage investigation within your own room. Request Room 215 if you want the full experience. The inn is located between Grants Pass and Medford on I-5, making it a convenient stopping point for road trips.

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse: Newport’s Tragic Tale

Though only operational for three years (1871-1874), this lighthouse on Oregon’s central coast has generated ghost stories for over a century. The most famous tale involves a young woman who disappeared within its walls.

The Legend of Muriel

According to local legend, a young woman named Muriel Trevenard visited the abandoned lighthouse with friends in 1874. She went upstairs to explore alone and never returned. Her friends searched but found only a pool of blood and her scarf. Her body was never found.

Paranormal Claims

Visitors report seeing a young woman in a white dress in the upstairs windows, particularly at dusk. The sound of feminine screaming has been reported by visitors and nearby residents. Inside, cold spots manifest suddenly, and the scent of perfume appears and dissipates without source.

Paranormal investigators have captured EVPs of a woman’s voice saying “help me” and recorded significant electromagnetic fluctuations in the upstairs rooms. Photographs often show mysterious orbs and light anomalies.

Visiting the Lighthouse

The lighthouse is now a museum operated by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. It’s open for tours during the summer months and select dates year-round. The Newport area offers several other haunted locations, making it an excellent paranormal investigation destination.

Planning Your Oregon Ghost Hunt

Best Time to Visit

October obviously attracts the most paranormal tourists, but it also means crowds and higher prices. Consider visiting during shoulder seasons (April-May or September-early October) for a better experience. Many locations report increased activity during winter months when tourist traffic decreases.

Investigation Tips

If you’re serious about investigating, bring basic equipment including a digital recorder for EVPs, a quality camera, an EMF detector, and a flashlight. Always get permission before investigating private property. Many locations offer special paranormal investigation nights where you can use equipment after normal hours.

Respectful Exploration

Remember that many of these locations involve real tragedies and human suffering. Approach them with respect rather than treating them as entertainment. Never trespass, vandalize, or remove items from historical sites. If investigating cemeteries, stay during daylight hours and follow posted rules.

Combining Paranormal and Regular Tourism

Oregon offers incredible natural beauty, craft breweries, wineries, and outdoor recreation. You can easily combine paranormal investigations with regular sightseeing. The Oregon coast provides stunning views alongside haunted lighthouses. Portland’s food scene rivals its ghost stories.

Safety Considerations

Many haunted locations involve old buildings with potential hazards like uneven floors, low ceilings, and poor lighting. Wear appropriate footwear, bring flashlights, and never explore alone. Some people experience genuine distress during paranormal encounters, so know your limits and don’t push yourself into situations that feel dangerous or overwhelming.

Documenting Your Experiences

Keep a journal of your experiences, noting times, locations, and specific phenomena you encounter. Take photographs and recordings, but remember that most “evidence” has natural explanations. Genuine paranormal experiences often can’t be captured on camera but leave lasting impressions on those who experience them.

Oregon’s haunted locations offer something for everyone, from casual ghost story enthusiasts to serious paranormal investigators. These sites preserve important history while giving us glimpses into mysteries that defy easy explanation. Whether you encounter genuine spirits or simply enjoy the atmospheric history, exploring Oregon’s haunted places creates memories that last a lifetime.

The spirits of Oregon are waiting. Will you answer their call?