Hike to Bordeaux Ghost Town

Olympia, Washington

Save

View all 4 photos

All 4 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

0.75 miles

Elevation Gain

50 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Elizabeth Jane

This short jaunt through the forest leads you to the former logging town and site of Bordeaux. There are all sorts of relics and crumbling buildings to be found, but the forest is slowly taking over. There's a burn tower, a sawmill, and the powerhouse.

Do not follow Google Maps' directions if you type it in yourself (or, the WTA website), as it led me astray initially. On the map listed below I indicated the right route.

As you're driving towards the Capitol Forest, look out for the concrete bank fault hidden in the trees on the right hand side. (If you have pulled off the main road and see lots of "Private Property" signs, a seemingly residential area, and run into a dead end, head back to the main road). You'll see a car pullout across from the bank vault. There are two trailheads, follow the one further west, where you'll shortly see a bridge crossing the creek. Stay to the right (there are several paths to explore) to take you to the biggest of the building foundations.

There are some trails that will take you up into the forest for a longer stroll if you're inclined, but we didn't find any further artifacts or remnants in that area.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin

Photography

Hiking

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Forest

Hike to Bordeaux Ghost Town Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Tumwater Falls Trail

High Steel Bridge

Located about 20 minutes outside of Shelton, Washington on US Forest Service Road NF-2340. To get there, head North on Highway 101 and exit onto W Skokomish Valley Rd. about 12 miles (or 20 minutes) after passing Shelton. W Skokomish Valley Road will take you through a beautiful area of farmland, beware, the road may be flooded at times. It was for us. After about 10 minutes of driving on ...

Hike to Little Mashel Falls

If you have been trying to get behind a waterfall Eatonville Falls is the place to hike and get a great feeling out of it. Hiking to the waterfall would lead you to a railroad and pass it would lead to a river where you would follow it down to get to the waterfall. The hike itself is pretty simple not a hard hike to do. During the hike you can get a view from the top of the waterfall and also...

Kayak Gig Harbor

Just over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge is a small, quiet, and tranquil town of Gig Harbor. The best way to experience the town is from the water.Tucked beneath Anthony's restaurant is Gig Harbor Rent-a-Boat, a small rental company that will outfit you for your afternoon on the water. Most days the company has rentals available, but it's worth calling in advance to reserve, especially on sunny day...

Run through Point Defiance Park

Point Defiance Park is the largest urban park in Pierce County and it provides a variety of amenities. Located at the very northwest tip of Tacoma, the park provides residents with a much needed retreat from the bustle of everyday life. Point Defiance Park is the place to go if you need a quick dose of nature, but you don't have a lot of time to travel out of Tacoma. The Owen Beach parking lot ...

Hike Spoon Creek Falls

This is a great low effort, high reward hike that offers several viewpoints along the trail of the falls below before it meanders all the way to the shore of the creek. While it doesn't take long to hike to this spot you can easily spend an entire morning or afternoon exploring everything it has to offer. Make sure to beware of the creek levels in the winter and spring, the current is swift an...