One of the guides at this crumbling old hospital was actually born inside it. Today she leads guests through the same halls and shares stories about patients she once knew.
The building sits in eastern Washington, and nobody has polished it up for company. Paint peels from the walls, and the ground floor stays chilly even on hot days.
Guests get ghost-hunting gadgets and the freedom to roam at their own pace. Night visits unlock the morgue, which stays closed during daytime tours.
Somewhere upstairs waits a doll room that fans of the place call a must-see.
I like how this spot skips the fake cobwebs and simply lets an old building be old. So how long would you last in those dark corridors before checking for the exit?
A Massive Old Hospital Waiting At The Edge Of A Palouse Town
St. Ignatius Hospital is a former hospital in Colfax that now operates as a historical place museum. Instead of patients, it welcomes curious visitors, ghost hunters, and photographers.
Small towns usually don’t hide giant spooky buildings in plain sight. Colfax does, and it sits right in the heart of the Palouse region of eastern Washington.
The building is huge, and that matters for planning. Guests get to roam most of the hospital, so expect plenty of stairs, hallways, and empty rooms.
Don’t expect a shiny museum with velvet ropes and glass cases. The place is intentionally left run down, with peeling paint and original walls still in place.
That gritty look is the whole point for many guests. One visitor compared the experience to feeling like an urban explorer with a dash of history mixed in.
It also carries a strong reputation among those who’ve gone. The hospital holds a 4.6-star rating from more than a hundred reviews on Google.
So yes, it’s creepy, but it’s also genuinely popular. That combination makes it one of the more unusual day trips you can plan in the state.
The Guide Who Was Born Inside These Walls
Most tour guides learn their history from books. At this hospital, one of the hosts was born in the building herself.
Her name is Val, and her name pops up again and again in feedback about the tours. She shares stories about the building and has described knowing some of its former patients.
That personal connection changes the feel of a visit. Instead of dry dates, guests hear memories tied to real people and real rooms.
Val also gets credit for being fun, welcoming, and packed with knowledge. Some guests describe her as knowing the resident spirits on a personal level, which is quite a resume line.
She isn’t the only host, either. Other guides are around during tours, and they’re described as friendly and easy to reach during your exploring.
That support matters when you’re wandering a dark, crumbling building. Questions get answered, and you never feel totally on your own.
Honestly, a great guide can make or break a historic site. Here, the hosts seem to be a big reason people return for second and third visits, sometimes from Montana and Canada.
Peeling Paint, Chilly Floors, And Very Little Light
Cleaned up? Not even a little.
The hospital is left looking like the abandoned building it is, and that’s exactly how fans like it.
Paint curls off walls throughout the halls. Visitors are advised not to touch it, which is good advice for any building this age.
The ground floor has its own mood. It stays chilly even when the weather outside is hot, so a light layer is smart in summer.
Light is another surprise. Most of the building relies only on natural light, with power limited mainly to an office and the shop.
That means daytime tours feel dim, and night tours feel properly dark. Flashlights stop being optional pretty quickly.
The owners have removed exposed asbestos, but some walls are still original. One guest suggested wearing a mask, though the space isn’t described as especially dusty.
None of this is staged or added for effect. It’s simply an old hospital showing its age, which might be scarier than any haunted house prop ever built.
Your Own Ghost-Hunting Toolkit, No Shopping Required
Good news for beginners: you don’t need to own a single gadget. Ghost-hunting equipment is included with your visit.
Guests describe the gear as excellent for exploring. Some groups say their devices were going off for much of their visit.
Already have your own tools? You’re welcome to bring them along and use them during your tour.
There’s one big exception to know before you pack. The owners don’t allow Ouija boards, so leave that at home.
The equipment adds a playful, interactive layer to the walk. Even guests who call themselves skeptics mention that the gadgets add to the ambience.
Not everyone is convinced by every beep, and that’s fine. One guest noted that some word-based spirit devices could be programmed ahead of time, so treat them as fun rather than proof.
Either way, it turns a quiet walk into something more like a game. That makes it easier for first-timers to jump in without feeling silly, and it gives everyone something to do with their hands.
Roam Free Instead Of Following A Tight Script
Freedom is one of the biggest draws here. Tours are largely self-guided, so you set your own pace through the building.
Guests describe having free rein over most of the hospital. That means you can linger in a room that gives you chills or hurry past one that doesn’t.
Hosts stay nearby for questions. They’re happy to share stories, history, and their own experiences inside the building.
Plaques around the hospital add context as you go. They describe parts of its history and some of the residents who may still be lingering.
This setup works for different personalities. History lovers can read every plaque, while thrill seekers can chase their equipment readings down a dark corridor.
The building is big, so give yourself time. One guest recommended comfy shoes because walking through everything takes a while.
If you like museums but hate being herded, this format fits nicely. You’re exploring, not just listening, and that makes the place feel like your own adventure, at least until a door creaks.
A Doll Room You Should Not Skip
Old dolls. A dark hospital.
Somebody decided those belonged together, and apparently it works.
The doll room comes up as a highlight worth seeking out. One guest flat-out advised visitors not to miss it.
It fits a larger point about this place. The rooms with older items and history inside tend to be the favorites.
One guest who toured at night said those furnished rooms were the best part. They also wished more rooms held authentic older pieces, which tells you how much those spaces stand out.
So when you plan your route, keep an eye out for the rooms with objects in them. They offer the strongest link between the empty building and the people who once spent time there.
Bring your camera, too. Photographers come here specifically for shots like these, and a room full of staring dolls practically composes itself.
Whether you find it charming or deeply unsettling probably depends on your feelings about porcelain faces. Either way, you’ll be talking about it on the drive home.
The Morgue Only Opens After Dark
Here’s a detail that shapes your whole booking choice. The morgue is not included in day tours and opens only on nighttime visits.
That one rule makes the night tours feel like the full experience. If seeing every corner matters to you, plan around the evening schedule.
Night tours can run long. One guest booked a 6-hour night tour and headed home after about four and a half hours, joking about being too old for late nights.
Leaving early is allowed, which is a relief. You don’t have to tough it out until the end if your energy fades.
The darkness also changes the building. With so little electric light, evening visits feel completely different from daytime walks.
One guest enjoyed going around the hospital in the dark so much they wanted to return during daylight. Seeing it in two different lights seems to be a popular idea.
So the morgue becomes a kind of bonus level. Earn it by staying up late, and bring a good flashlight for the trip downstairs.
Daylight Tours For The Easily Spooked
Not everyone wants to wander a haunted hospital at midnight. Thankfully, day tours exist, and they’re a great entry point.
Daytime visits still feel moody because most of the building runs on natural light. You get shadows without total darkness.
Photographers often prefer daylight anyway. One day-tour group said they explored all over the building and grabbed great photos.
Daytime doesn’t mean dull, either. One June visitor worried that daylight would mean less activity and found the atmosphere eerie anyway.
Day tours also pair well with a relaxed road trip. You can arrive, explore, and still drive home before bedtime.
There’s a clever middle option worth considering. One guest suggested booking a tour that starts while it’s light and ends after dark.
That way you get the history-friendly daylight and the spooky nighttime mood in one visit. It’s a smart compromise for groups with mixed nerves, where one person wants thrills and another wants to read plaques in peace.
Private Investigations For Serious Ghost Hunters
Serious investigators sometimes want the building to themselves. Private bookings make that possible here.
One group of ten reserved a 3-hour block with no other investigators present. They wanted nothing contaminating their findings, and they called it worth the money.
Another group of six booked a 3-hour ghost investigation. They said they felt well equipped and planned to return.
Group tours are also available for those who don’t mind sharing. One set of five friends did a 4-hour group tour and loved exploring the building together.
Private visits tend to cost more than joining a shared tour. Prices can vary by tour type and group size, so check current options when booking.
Groups have even booked private time on Halloween. That date understandably made the visit feel extra special for them.
If you’re celebrating a birthday or wrangling a club of paranormal fans, a private session might fit best. You get quiet halls, fewer distractions, and fewer people blamed for mysterious footsteps.
Television Ghost Hunters Have Walked These Halls Too
Fans of paranormal TV might recognize these halls. According to one visitor, Ghost Hunters, Paranormal Lockdown, and Ghost Adventures have all filmed episodes here.
That helps explain the steady stream of guests from out of state. People have made the trip from Montana and Canada for a chance to explore.
Ghost hunting is clearly the main attraction. It’s the most frequently mentioned topic by far, alongside tours, spooky atmosphere, and the haunted hospital reputation.
Some guests share intense stories. One said they felt a strange pain on the second floor and felt odd for weeks afterward.
Others keep things lighter. One guest said the focus leans heavily on spooky fun, and they enjoyed it as an atmospheric game.
So which camp are you in? Believer, skeptic, or somebody who just wants dramatic photos for the group chat?
The nice part is that all three can enjoy it. The building delivers atmosphere either way, and whatever you hear in the dark is yours to explain.
Who Will Love It And Who Should Think Twice
Thrill seekers are the obvious fit. Anyone who enjoys creepy old buildings, ghost hunting, and exploring at their own pace will feel right at home.
Photographers and history fans also find plenty to enjoy. Guests who aren’t ghost hunters at all have come just for a cool experience and photos.
Families should plan carefully, though. This is a crumbling building with peeling paint, original walls, and a required waiver.
Younger kids and easily frightened guests may struggle with long, dark tours. Older teens who love scary stories might be the sweet spot, so check age rules when booking.
Grandparents can join, but stamina counts. The building is large, there’s lots of walking, and night tours can stretch late.
Pet owners should take note as well. One visitor warned about debris on the grounds, especially in back, so be careful letting dogs wander.
Not everyone loves the rough condition, and one guest found it unwelcoming. If crumbling and dilapidated sound exciting instead of alarming, you’re the target audience.
Two Sister Spots That Extend The Spooky Fun
The hospital isn’t the only eerie stop connected to this tour operation. Two other haunted locations are linked to it, and tickets can be purchased for them as well.
One is an old brothel located downtown in Colfax. A recent guest described it as spooky, with a lively guide.
The other is the Perkins House. That same guest felt it played more like a museum at night, with displays to read and fewer spaces to explore.
These locations have also served as a backup option. When the hospital closed recently, ticket holders were offered a refund or tours of these two sites.
So think of them as add-ons rather than replacements. They’re interesting extras, but the hospital is the main event for most people.
Spending a full evening in town? Pairing the hospital with a second stop could stretch one drive into a fuller adventure.
Just keep expectations realistic for each site. A historic house and an abandoned hospital deliver very different kinds of shivers, and that variety can actually be fun.
Book Ahead And Check Status Before The Long Drive
Planning matters with this one. You’ll find St. Ignatius Hospital at 1009 S Mill St, Colfax, WA 99111, in the Palouse country of eastern Washington.
For many families, that means a real drive. Showing up without tickets would turn a fun outing into a long, disappointing loop.
Tickets should be bought in advance. Guests repeatedly stress reading the tour descriptions first so you book the right experience.
Status deserves a check too. A very recent visitor reported the hospital was temporarily closed after a complaint to the state Department of Labor and Industries.
That guest’s group was offered either a refund or tours of the two sister locations. Confirm the hospital is open before you leave home, and contact the operators if unsure.
Hours and prices vary by tour type, so check the official booking page for current details. Day tours, night tours, group tours, and private sessions all run differently.
Pack comfy shoes, a flashlight, and a light jacket for that chilly ground floor. Remember you’ll sign a waiver before exploring.
A Creaky, Memorable Outing Worth Planning Around
October seems made for this place. One guest called it the perfect activity for a crisp fall evening, and it’s hard to argue.
Still, the hospital works beyond Halloween. June visitors have found it eerie, and day tours give it a different personality entirely.
What stands out most is the honesty of the experience. Nobody dressed this building up, and that rawness gives it real character.
The hosts add warmth to all that decay. A guide who was born in the building brings stories most historic sites simply can’t offer.
I believe the best visitors here are curious more than fearless. You don’t need to believe in ghosts to enjoy a dim hallway and a good story.
Plan smart, though. Book early, confirm it’s open, and choose the tour length that matches your crew’s energy.
Do that, and you’ll likely leave with photos, goosebumps, and at least one story you’ll retell for years. Washington has plenty of pretty places, but few with this many creaks per square foot.
