Your ghost town road trip to Vantage begins where Interstate 90 crosses the Columbia River, where the original town now sleeps beneath Wanapum Dam’s reservoir after its 1962 drowning. You’ll discover relocated petroglyphs at Ginkgo center, explore nearby Sherman’s lonely 1888 church, and marvel at the “Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies” sculpture towering above the water. Visit Thursday through Monday when interpretive centers open, and spring offers the best hiking weather for uncovering the stories these drowned streets left behind.
Key Takeaways
- Original Vantage townsite was submerged around 1962 by Wanapum Dam; current town sits safely above the flooded area.
- Visit Thursday through Monday when interpretive centers open; spring offers ideal hiking weather with accessible trails.
- Take Interstate 90 to Vantage, then follow Vantage Highway to trailheads and roadside petrified wood viewing areas.
- Explore nearby ghost towns including Sherman’s 1888 church, Govan’s ruins, and Liberty’s 1870s mining artifacts.
- See Ginkgo Petrified Forest, relocated petroglyphs, “Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies” sculpture, and Trees of Stone Trail.
The Story Behind Vantage’s Relocation and Wanapum Dam
The sleepy town of Vantage didn’t just relocate—it climbed uphill to survive. When Grant County Public Utility District began constructing Wanapum Dam in the early 1960s, the original townsite faced certain drowning.
When the dam rose, so did Vantage—a town that climbed to escape the flood below.
Named after the Wanapum people—meaning “river people”—the dam’s 186.5-foot concrete and earth structure would create a massive reservoir. You’ll find the current town perched safely above where floodwaters claimed the old streets around 1962.
The dam’s primary purpose drives hydroelectric power generation through its 10-unit powerhouse, while honoring Native American heritage through its name. Standing 8,600 feet across the Columbia River, this engineering marvel forced an entire community upward. The steel tied-arch bridge that carries Interstate 90 across the river opened in 1962, replacing the original two-lane span that once served the Sunset Highway. The total length of the bridge stretches 2,504 feet across Wanapum Lake.
Today, you’re driving through a monument to adaptation—a town that literally rose above displacement to maintain its identity.
What Remains at the Original Vantage Site Today
Beneath Columbia River’s surface lies a drowned history you’ll never see—original Vantage disappeared when reservoir waters rose in 1962. No remnant foundation structures survived above the waterline. What the dam didn’t swallow, salvagers moved:
- Petroglyphs relocated to Ginkgo center wall, preserved from cliff faces
- Original bridge materials reconstructed as Lyons Ferry Bridge near Starbuck
- Petrified wood specimens displayed at nature center and trailheads
- Closed airport runway still visible with faded “X” markings
- Town relocated uphill; current Vantage sits above flood zone
You’re free to explore what survived—ancient rock art standing sentinel beside the visitor center, petrified logs caged along interpretive trails. The submerged historic landmarks remain inaccessible, but relocated artifacts tell stories of Wanapum heritage and frontier resilience. The reconstructed bridge earned recognition when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Meanwhile, another Vantage project makes headlines as Vantage Data Centers breaks ground on a $15 billion facility in Port Washington, creating thousands of jobs as part of the Stargate AI initiative.
Best Times and Routes for Your Ghost Town Adventure
Seasonal visitation patterns favor Thursday through Monday when interpretive centers open year-round.
Winter snow limits access, while spring offers mild hiking weather.
Take Interstate 90 to Vantage, then follow Vantage Highway several miles to trailheads.
Park along the Columbia River for roadside petrified wood viewing—no permits, no crowds, just you and remnants of worlds that vanished long before this town followed suit.
The lower hill sections remain gentle enough for visitors with knee issues, thanks to well-maintained ground conditions.
For a complete ghost town experience in Washington, explore sites ranging from Franklin’s sealed mine shafts near Mount Rainier to Northern State’s buildings along Highway 20, each offering unique historical features accessible through WTA’s Hiking Guide.
Exploring Nearby Ghost Towns: Sherman, Govan, Trinidad, and Liberty
Beyond Vantage’s petrified forests, four forgotten settlements dot the Columbia Basin and Cascade foothills, each telling its own story of boom and abandonment.
Sherman’s 1888 church stands as a monument to homesteading dreams, where Civil War veterans staked claims. The historical significance of Sherman’s church reverberates through its preserved interior and cemetery stones dating to the 1880s. Behind the white country church, generations of families rest in a small cemetery overlooking rolling hills.
Fifteen minutes southwest, Govan’s skeletal remains harbor darker tales. The unsolved mysteries surrounding Govan’s murders add an eerie dimension to your photography sessions among rusting farm equipment. The historic schoolhouse that closed in the 1940s continues to draw photographers to this remote location.
What you’ll discover:
- Trinidad’s crumbling rock foundations on private land
- Liberty’s 1870s mining artifacts near Cle Elum
- Interpretive signs explaining Gold Rush history
- Original schoolhouses frozen in time
- Keep-out warnings requiring respectful navigation
Each site demands careful exploration—these aren’t manicured parks but authentic remnants where wheat fields reclaimed human ambition.
Must-See Attractions Along Your Central Washington Journey
When you crest the final hill before Vantage, the Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies sculpture emerges against the sky—fifteen life-sized steel horses galloping eternally above the Columbia River. You’ll find freedom in these high desert landscapes.
Above the Columbia, steel horses run wild—a permanent stampede frozen in metal, chasing horizons you’ll never stop pursuing.
At Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park, you’ll walk among ancient stone sentinels—a petrified wood collection spanning over 200 species from a 16-million-year-old forest. The Trees of Stone Trail puts you face-to-face with logs still resting where they fell eons ago. The visitors center houses a petroglyphs display transported to preserve these ancient rock carvings.
Drive up Whiskey Dick Mountain to Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center, where modern turbines slice wind at 3,500 feet. The scenic Columbia River views stretch endlessly below. Time your visit for early morning or late afternoon to catch Vantage’s most dramatic ridgeline views across the gorge.
Frenchman Coulee’s volcanic columns tower overhead—climbers scale The Feathers while you explore desert trails nobody owns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Guided Tours Available for Vantage Ghost Town Visits?
No guided local history tours exist for Vantage Ghost Town—you’ll explore independently. Heritage preservation initiatives haven’t established formal tours here, so you’re free to wander the windswept ruins at your own pace, discovering hidden stories without schedules constraining your adventure.
What Camping Facilities Exist Near Vantage for Overnight Ghost Town Explorers?
You’ll find Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground and Vantage Riverstone Resort near historical landmarks, offering full hookups and river access. Frenchman Coulee provides free dispersed camping with scenic viewpoints perfect for adventurous explorers seeking unforgettable sunsets over ancient landscapes.
Do I Need Special Permits to Explore the Old Vantage Site?
You won’t need special permits for Old Vantage’s submerged remnants—there aren’t permitted access restrictions for shoreline viewing. Just respect private property concerns near the reservoir, and you’re free to explore this drowned town’s ghostly traces.
Are the Ghost Town Sites Safe for Children and Elderly Visitors?
Safety varies substantially by site. You’ll need to weigh accessibility considerations and health precautions carefully—uneven terrain, structural hazards, and remote locations make most ghost towns demanding for young children and elderly visitors with limited mobility.
What Cell Phone Coverage Can I Expect in the Vantage Area?
You’ll find excellent cell phone reception quality across Vantage, with available network providers Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T all delivering 100% coverage. Signal strength fluctuates near hills and coulees, but you’re connected throughout your ghost town adventures.
References
- https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/wa/vantage.html
- https://stateofwatourism.com/ghost-towns-of-washington-state/
- https://rsftripreporter.net/ghost-towns-of-the-upper-potomac/
- https://andrewsullivan.substack.com/p/vfyw-a-ghost-town-for-halloween
- https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/weekend-photography-trip-to-central-washington
- https://www.sunset-hwy.com/trinidad.htm
- https://www.historylink.org/File/5379
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vantage_Bridge
- https://www.georgewashingtonrealty.com/vantage-wa/
- https://damfailures.org/case-study/wanapum-dam-washington-2014
