You’ll find Washington’s most spirited ghost towns hosting unforgettable annual events that bring history to life. Bucoda’s BOO-CODA Festival transforms its former “Hell on Earth” prison site into Halloween central, while Concrete offers ghost walks through its 102-year-old theatre and industrial landmarks. Port Townsend hosts paranormal investigations at Manresa Castle with psychic medium sessions, and Manson celebrates Haunted Harvest with grape stomping and escape rooms. Pacific County’s coastal Haunt-tober extends festivities across multiple towns with trolley rides and ghost parades, offering immersive experiences that reveal why these historic communities continue drawing visitors year after year.
Key Takeaways
- Bucoda hosts the annual BOO-CODA Festival at the former “Hell on Earth” prison site, featuring ghost town legends and Casket Races.
- Concrete conducts nightly Ghost Walk tours in October, starting at the 102-year-old Concrete Theatre and highlighting industrial history.
- Manson celebrates Haunted Harvest throughout October with grape stomping, pumpkin picking, Ghost Train Escape Room, and Freakfest costume party.
- Port Townsend’s Haunted Histories and Mysteries Festival offers paranormal investigations, psychic medium sessions, and Victorian architecture tours at historic sites.
- Pacific County hosts Coastal Haunt-tober with ghost tours, haunted trolley rides, and the Ghosts of Ilwaco parade across coastal towns.
Bucoda: BOO-CODA Transforms a Former Prison Town Into Halloween Central
While most ghost towns fade quietly into history, Bucoda resurrects its dark past every October with BOO-CODA, transforming Washington’s former “Hell on Earth” prison site into Halloween central.
You’ll discover how this once-notorious settlement embraces ghost town legends that made it infamous—the Seatco Prison, where shackled inmates endured brutal conditions from 1874-1888 in a three-story wooden fortress.
Though the prison architecture burned in 1905 and remnants were demolished by the 1920s, you can explore commemorative plaques marking where 500+ prisoners suffered.
The town’s name change from Seatco (“Devil’s Place”) to Bucoda couldn’t erase its haunted reputation.
Now you’re invited to experience BOO-CODA’s annual celebration, where darkness becomes entertainment and history’s horrors fuel festive thrills in this transformed coal-and-lumber town.
Beyond the haunted festivities, you can witness the town’s quirky Casket Races that add another layer of macabre celebration to Bucoda’s unique cultural identity.
Near the former prison site, you’ll find Forest Grove Cemetery, established around 1870, where deteriorated markers may conceal the unmarked graves of inmates who died during their imprisonment.
Concrete: Ghost Walks Through a Century of Mining and Mischief
Your ghost walk adventure begins at Concrete’s historic theatre, where guides lead you through a century of scandalous brothels, unsolved mysteries, and paranormally active buildings.
You’ll visit the old newspaper office where the founder’s spirit reportedly lingers, then venture to the infamous Devil’s Tower and haunted limestone quarry.
The town was named for the local limestone deposit that fueled regional cement production, with the quarry’s walls still displaying bedding dipping 50° to the north among scattered limestone blocks.
The October tours make strategic stops at the “super haunted” little bridge and abandoned structures marked with painted URLs, offering intimate encounters with the town’s darker past.
The iconic Henry Thompson Bridge, dedicated in June 1918, was once the longest single-span concrete bridge in the world and remains a testament to the town’s engineering heritage.
Historic Theatre Tour Starting Point
Where better to begin a journey into Concrete’s storied past than at the historic Concrete Theatre, a 102-year-old landmark that’s stood on Main Street since 1918? You’ll find this cultural hub at 45920 Main Street.
Owner Valerie Stafford launches her acclaimed Ghost Walk tours every October Saturday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The theatre architecture itself sets the atmospheric tone—this venue’s witnessed over a century of Concrete’s evolution from lawless mining village to thriving community.
Stafford’s storytelling techniques emphasize authentic historical narratives over manufactured frights, with actors portraying real residents who lived through scandals, love affairs, and boom-town chaos. The 2024 season marks a significant milestone, celebrating the event’s 20-year anniversary since beginning in 2006.
You’ll need advance tickets; they’re never sold on-site and regularly sell out. The 90-minute tours accommodate participants 16 and older, winding through dimly lit streets beyond the theatre’s doors. Recent additions include the Mount Baker Hotel, where spirits are said to linger with untold stories.
Brothels, Mysteries, and Haunted Houses
As October darkness descends on Concrete’s streets, you’ll discover why this former mining village once boasted more brothels than churches—a scandalous past that fuels the Ghost Walk’s most enthralling tales.
Your guides reveal authentic mystery scandals from the lawless early 1900s, when miners, loggers, and cement workers raised hell in dimly lit alleys you’ll traverse yourself.
Beyond the walking tour, Concrete delivers additional thrills at its haunted barn attraction on Cascade Highway.
Open select October nights (18th, 24th, 25th, 31st) from 7-10 PM, this warehouse-style haunt features themed rooms, live actors, and heart-stopping jump scares.
Before the walk begins, you’ll gather at the 102-year-old Concrete Theatre, where the evening’s ghost stories officially launch you into the town’s darkest history.
The tour runs every Saturday night in October, offering multiple opportunities to experience the supernatural storytelling.
The haunted brothels theme weaves through both experiences, connecting you to a century of mining-town vice and supernatural lore that’ll keep your adrenaline pumping long after you leave.
Port Gamble: Annual Ghost Conference Draws Paranormal Enthusiasts
Paranormal prompts await through panel discussions, hands-on classes in ghost hunting techniques, and three nightly investigation slots.
You’re free to choose your experience: attend psychic panels, learn intuitive tarot, or join expert-led investigations starting at just $10. Investigation tickets are assigned upon arrival with no reservations necessary, ensuring spontaneous access to haunted locations like the Walker-Ames House and St. Paul’s Church.
Weekend passes run $45-$55, with Friday’s meet-and-greet kicking off your supernatural adventure at 4PM.
Port Townsend: Victorian Mysteries and Psychic Investigations
You’ll explore Port Townsend’s haunted Victorian past through guided waterfront walks, paranormal investigations at historic sites like Fort Worden, and psychic medium sessions at the annual Haunted Histories and Mysteries event.
The 1892 Manresa Castle hosts overnight investigations where guests encounter whispering voices and shadowy figures throughout its storied halls.
Book your tickets through Eventbrite for October and November tours, with Friday and Saturday evening investigations led by experienced paranormal research teams.
Haunted Victorian Architecture Tours
Port Townsend’s Victorian-era buildings transform into paranormal investigation sites each fall, when multiple organizations host ghost tours and psychic events throughout the historic seaport.
You’ll explore haunted mansion properties like Starrett House on October 18, where mediums lead investigations and Peninsula legends come alive through expert presentations.
The Jefferson County Historical Society’s Strange Shadows walks take you through downtown’s most active locations, culminating in the 1892 City Hall’s historic jail spaces.
Port Townsend Main Street Program offers waterfront tours featuring shipwrecks, shanghaiing tales, and ghostly encounters from the town’s 1851 founding.
The Palace Hotel harbors at least 10 spirits in its former brothel rooms, while the vacant Hastings Building opens its doors for brave explorers willing to climb steep steps into 70 years of abandonment.
Manresa Castle Paranormal Investigations
Atop a hill overlooking Port Townsend’s Victorian downtown, Manresa Castle beckons ghost hunters to its most intensive paranormal investigation experiences in Washington State.
You’ll join 4-hour investigations led by experienced guides who’ll teach you authentic paranormal research techniques using audio-visual equipment in documented hotspots like Room 302 and the notorious basement.
The castle’s dark past as a Jesuit seminary creates compelling haunted hotel stories—from Kate’s tragic leap in Room 306 to the monk apparition haunting the windows.
You’re free to explore independently after midnight when activity peaks, capturing evidence like the child’s laugh documented during Ghost Adventures’ lockdown.
Book Room 302 or 306 specifically, where previous investigators have recorded spirits repeating their words verbatim and experienced unexplained phenomena firsthand.
Psychic Medium Readings Available
When darkness falls over Port Townsend’s Victorian streets, psychic mediums open doorways to the spirit domain during the town’s annual Haunted Histories and Mysteries Festival.
You’ll find Ankhasha Amenti presenting “Connecting with the Other Side” at 4 PM Saturday, offering intuitive readings that bridge the gap between worlds. This spiritual connection experience complements the evening’s paranormal investigations, giving you multiple ways to explore Port Townsend’s supernatural side.
The Starrett House also hosts its own Mediums & Mysteries event, where you’ll participate in gallery readings before late-night investigations begin.
At $60 per person, you’re getting hands-on access to authentic psychic mediumship in genuine haunted locations. Tickets remain available through Eventbrite and ptmainstreet.org, though some sessions sell out quickly as seekers claim their spots.
Manson: Lake Chelan’s Lighthearted Haunted Harvest Celebration
Though technically not a ghost town, Manson transforms into a Halloween haven each October with Haunted Manson, a month-long celebration that blends the Lake Chelan Valley’s agricultural heritage with spooky seasonal fun.
You’ll find haunted harvest activities ranging from grape stomping at Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards to pumpkin picking at Chelan Valley Farms’ 7th Annual Pumpkin Patch. Autumn festivities run daily from October 1-31, offering both free and ticketed experiences.
Challenge yourself at the Ghost Train Escape Room, test your aim at Four Lakes Winery’s Apple Shoot & Spooky Graveyard, or dance at Freakfest 2025‘s costume party.
The Manson Chamber presents family-friendly daytime farm adventures that shift into evening haunts. You’re welcome to explore wineries, participate in bee tours at Tsillan Cellars, or join Fresh Press Fridays—no rules, just seasonal thrills.
Pacific County: Haunt-tober Across Coastal Communities
While Manson celebrates Halloween along the lakeside, Pacific County’s coastal communities scatter spooky experiences across their waterfront towns throughout October with Haunt-tober Happenings. You’ll discover haunted hotels, ghost hunts, and trolley rides leveraging local lore for hair-raising adventures.
Start at Shelburne Hotel, Washington’s oldest continuously operating hotel, where you’ll hunt four resident spirits during self-guided tours. Ride the Haunted Trolley through downtown Long Beach on Saturdays, or catch the first annual Ghosts of Ilwaco parade along the Port waterfront in early November.
These Haunt-tober celebrations feature pop-up bingo, trick-or-treating, and coastal ghost stories from author Ira Kitmacher at Salt Hotel & Pub.
With Halloween Block Parties and festival grounds harvest events, every corner promises mystical encounters throughout these freedom-loving waterfront communities.
Planning Your Visit to Washington’s Spookiest Small Towns
Port Orchard’s Bay Street Ghost Hunt transforms into family-friendly waterfront trick-or-treating October 24-26, trading intense paranormal experiences for accessible weekend costumes and merchant participation.
Bay Street’s October transformation swaps serious ghost hunting for costumed families exploring waterfront merchants during three festive weekend nights.
Spring visits (March-April) provide hands-on investigations.
While fall concentrates activity into October’s peak season.
You’ll encounter folklore legends spanning three distinct communities—choose based on your preferred intensity level.
What Makes These Ghost Town Events Worth the Trip
These ghost town celebrations deliver experiences you won’t find in typical Halloween attractions. You’re exploring authentic 1900s settings where historical legends come alive through buildings that actually housed miners and loggers.
The supernatural tales aren’t manufactured—they’re rooted in documented paranormal encounters from local residents and investigators.
You’ll participate in hands-on ghost hunts using real equipment at Union Cemetery, conduct 3-hour paranormal investigations in Walker-Ames House, and battle zombies with paintballs at Field of Screams.
Urban legends blend with historical fact during guided walks through cemeteries, haunted mansions, and abandoned town centers.
The atmosphere beats corporate theme parks because you’re wandering genuine ghost towns where the past whispers its secrets.
These events respect your desire for authentic thrills without sanitized, manufactured scares.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are These Events Family-Friendly or Designed Primarily for Adults?
You’ll find both options available! Boo-Coda and Concrete offer family friendly experiences with kid-oriented haunts and parades, while Port Gamble and Field of Screams deliver adult themed activities featuring intense scares, paranormal investigations, and zombie paintball battles.
Do I Need to Book Ghost Tours and Haunted Houses in Advance?
Yes, you’ll want to book ahead. Port Gamble’s paranormal investigations sold out last year, proving event ticket safety beats spontaneous walk-ins. While some venues accept cash at doors, reserving online guarantees your spot for these wildly popular haunted adventures.
What Should I Wear for Outdoor Ghost Walks in October Weather?
Layer waterproof jackets over fleece and moisture-wicking base layers for weather preparations against October’s rain and 40-50°F temps. Wear waterproof boots with wool socks. Add costume ideas over your layers, plus pack headlamps for dark trails—you’ll stay comfortable exploring freely.
Are Pets Allowed at Outdoor Halloween Events Like Trunk-Or-Treats?
Ironically, while ghosts roam freely, pet policies aren’t specified for these outdoor events. You’ll want to contact organizers directly about pet safety and costume guidelines before bringing your furry friend to trunk-or-treats or ghost walks.
Which Towns Offer Overnight Accommodations Within Walking Distance of Events?
You’ll find local lodging within walking distance at all four towns! Concrete, Port Gamble, Bucoda, and Richland each offer nearby accommodations, so you can freely enjoy spooky events without worrying about driving afterward. Perfect for ultimate convenience!
References
- https://www.experienceolympia.com/events/annual-events/boo-coda-spook-tacular/
- https://concrete-wa.com/events/ghost-walk-halloween-fun/
- https://www.evergreencoastwa.com/annual-small-town-events/
- https://www.experienceolympia.com/our-communities/bucoda/
- https://www.seattlemet.com/travel-and-outdoors/2023/09/haunted-halloween-road-day-trips-washington-seattle
- https://www.wahauntedhouses.com/washington-paranormal-events.aspx
- https://bucoda.us/boo-coda
- https://www.portgamble.com/events-festivals/seasonal-events/ghost-conference/
- https://www.pobsa.com/boobash
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucoda
