Ashwood

Oregon's ghost towns are timber camps and high-desert gold strikes, preserved by dry air and long distances.

Ashwood is a ghost town in Jefferson County, Oregon, United States, 32 miles (51 km) northeast of Madras. Ashwood was named for its proximity to Ash Butte, a butte with volcanic ash deposits on its sides, and to honor Whitfield T. Wood, who settled in the area in the 1870s. Ashwood post office was established in 1898. The Ashwood area was first used by the Native American Sahaptin and Northern Paiute people.

The on-the-ground condition of Ashwood 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 Ashwood 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 Ashwood is roughly 44.7336, -120.7544 — 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.