Sanger

North Dakota's ghost towns are homestead-era towns the drought and the Depression emptied in a single brutal decade.

Sanger is an unincorporated community and former ghost town in Oliver County, North Dakota, United States. The population in 2023 was 2; there are no businesses or services. Founded in 1879, the town was originally known as Bentley. The town declined during the 20th century, and was fully abandoned by 1985. Sanger is located about 40 miles north from Bismarck, and is a short distance from the west bank of the Missouri River. There is a directional sign on the highway. It was the county seat until 1884, when the community was renamed Sanger.

The on-the-ground condition of Sanger is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Sanger is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.