COLFAX HISTORY TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Into the Dark Heart of St. Ignatius: A Small‑Group, Three‑Hour Ghost Hunt in an Abandoned Hospital
A 3‑hour, small‑group exploration of the old St. Ignatius Hospital in Colfax that combines a history briefing with freeform investigation using provided paranormal equipment.
Into the Dark Heart of St. Ignatius: A Small‑Group, Three‑Hour Ghost Hunt in an Abandoned Hospital.
Adventure brief
Into the Dark Heart of St. Ignatius: A Small‑Group, Three‑Hour Ghost Hunt in an Abandoned Hospital
Step inside an old hospital and into stories that linger in its corridors: history and reported paranormal activity set the stage for a guided three‑hour investigation. This public ghost hunt blends an orienting history at the outset with unhindered exploration of the main building’s multiple floors, using advanced ghost‑hunting devices supplied by the operator.
Located in the small town of Colfax, Washington, St. Ignatius Hospital offers a uniquely immersive 3-hour public ghost hunt that ventures deep into the building’s shadowed past. This historic hospital, a fixture of Colfax’s early 20th-century landscape, has long drawn curiosity for its peeling walls and reportedly restless spirits. Positioned on South Mill Street, the hospital is an atmospheric setting for anyone drawn to the unknown.
Unlike typical haunted tours, the St. Ignatius experience limits groups to just 10 to 15 participants, ensuring a focused, hands-on investigation. Guests are equipped with advanced paranormal tools—including K2 Meters, SLS cameras, phasma boxes, spirit boxes, REM pods, shadow detectors, and data loggers. The mission? To detect unexplained phenomena and capture moments that standard sightseeing can’t offer.
The hospital’s architecture, with its aged hallways and abandoned patient rooms, provides a natural backdrop for chilling stories shared at the outset of the hunt. These narratives root participants in the hospital’s past, from its medical significance to its darker tales whispered by locals over decades. The eerie ambient noises, dim lighting, and creaking floors create an electric tension that amplifies the hunt’s excitement.
St. Ignatius Hospital’s commitment to small groups, quality gear, and candid storytelling makes it more than a paranormal tour—it is a deep dive into Colfax’s cultural heritage through a spectral lens. This activity appeals especially to those interested in history, the paranormal, or anyone seeking an adventure that stretches beyond typical outdoor pursuits. The hospital stands apart in this region for offering an intense, intimate paranormal inquiry, complementing the rural Pacific Northwest’s broader outdoor offerings with something hauntingly different.
Route Schematic
Itinerary & Route Schematic
The hunt begins with a group overview and then proceeds through the main building, allowing time for independent investigation and optional volunteer assistance.
Introductory Briefing
A presentation of the hospital’s history and accounts of reported paranormal activity before investigation begins.
Independent Exploration
Participants are free to explore the building on their own, moving through rooms and corridors to investigate reported phenomena.
Volunteer‑Assisted Investigation
You may request a volunteer to remain with you for more detailed information during exploration.
Equipment‑Led Checks
Use the supplied paranormal equipment to scan rooms and record potential anomalies.
Upper Floors Sweep
The tour includes access to all six floors of the main building for a comprehensive sweep of the site.
Tours are limited in size and have a strict no‑intoxication policy; expect an investigative format that involves moving through multiple floors of the building.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Explore an old hospital through six floors of history and rumor
The investigation gains access to all six floors of the main building, offering a rare inside look at the site’s layout, rooms, and the stories that accompany them.
Hands‑on paranormal equipment supplied
A suite of investigative tools is available to participants, letting you use industry‑standard detectors and recorders during the hunt.
Small groups with room to roam
Tours are intentionally limited to a compact group size, creating an intimate investigative environment where participants can explore on their own or request a volunteer for more detailed context.
What the day feels like
What the three hours feel like
The evening opens with a briefing that covers the hospital’s past and reports of paranormal activity, then shifts to free exploration: you’ll move through the building at your own pace, test equipment, take photos, and pursue anything unusual that shows up on the devices.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Basic personal items and a camera — you’re encouraged to take photos. Paranormal equipment (K2 meters, phasma boxes, spirit boxes, REM pods, shadow detectors, and data loggers such as the EDI Plus) is provided during the tour.
Tours admit 10 to 15 people; intoxicated persons are not allowed. Expect a small‑group investigative setting.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the ghost hunt?
The experience lasts three hours.
How many people are on each tour?
Tours are limited to 10 to 15 participants.
Is equipment provided?
Yes — paranormal equipment is included and available to check out during the tour.
Can I take photographs?
Yes; participants are encouraged to take lots of photos during the investigation.
Are intoxicated people allowed on tours?
No. Intoxicated individuals are not permitted to participate.
How much of the building will we be able to explore?
The tour includes access to all six floors of the main building.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-09-07T20:57:42.078Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.