Alderdale

Washington's ghost towns are mill towns and mining camps in country so green the forest is already taking them back.

Alderdale is an extinct town in Klickitat County, in the U.S. state of Washington. The GNIS classifies it as a populated place. A post office called Alderdale was established in 1907, and remained in operation until 1962. In 1917 it was reported as a station on the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway. The community took its name from nearby Alder Creek.

The on-the-ground condition of Alderdale is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Alderdale is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Alderdale is roughly 45.8347, -119.9208 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.