Belcher Camp

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

Belcher Camp is a ghost town located in Ferry County, Washington, United States. The town is located on upper Lambert Creek, nearly ten miles northeast of Republic. The town was founded around 1897 when Iron ore was discovered in the vicinity. The Belcher Mountain Mining Company began operations in the area. By 1906 the town had a population of about 72. The town contained a post office, large bunkhouse for single miners, a general store, five or six houses and a railroad. There was even a Belcher Mountain Railroad line. Eventually the mine folded and the town disappeared.

The on-the-ground condition of Belcher Camp 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 Belcher Camp 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 Belcher Camp is roughly 48.6835, -118.6702 — 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.