If you’ve seen photos of a plane in the woods in Oregon and wondered if it’s real, it is. And no, it’s not abandoned.
It’s the Airplane Home, which some people call the Airplane House: a retired Boeing 727 sitting in the forest outside Hillsboro, about 40 minutes west of downtown Portland. Bruce Campbell, an electrical engineer and former pilot, has lived in it for more than 25 years. The best part? He lets you visit for free.
I visited in 2020 with my drone and ended up standing on top of the plane. Here’s everything you need to know before you go, plus what it was actually like.
Airplane Home quick facts (2026)
Where: 15270 SW Holly Hill Road, Hillsboro, Oregon. Search “Airplane Home” in Google Maps.
Cost: Free. Bruce doesn’t charge for visits, tours, camping or lodging, and he asks visitors not to leave money.
Hours: Walk around outside anytime during daylight, no appointment needed. Indoor tours are usually after 1 p.m., when Bruce is available (not guaranteed).
Parking: Drive up his private driveway and park near the plane. Don’t park on Holly Hill Road, keep the turnaround clear, and don’t spin your tires on the driveway.
Staying overnight: Free camping and indoor lodging, arranged by email with Bruce.
Drones: Allowed if you stay at or below the treetops and don’t film the neighbors.
House rules:
- Shoes off at the air stairs
- No weapons and no smoking
- Sober visitors only
- His rules still ask indoor guests to be vaccinated against COVID-19
Official info: Read Bruce’s visitor information page before you go. He last updated it in May 2026.
Is the plane in the woods in Oregon abandoned?
Nope! It’s the question everyone asks. It looks like it crash-landed in the forest, but it’s someone’s home, and has been since 1999.
Why is there a plane in the woods in Oregon?
In 1999, Bruce bought a retired Boeing 727 from a salvage company for $100,000. The jet was flown from Greece to Oregon, then moved in pieces to his wooded property and reassembled. He kept the cockpit, the airline seats and the flight controls.
When we met, Bruce told us he would never live in a traditional house. He doesn’t like debt, loves not having a mortgage, and calls the plane his “bachelor pad.” After seeing it, honestly, I get it. He also wants retired jetliners reused as homes instead of scrapped.
Where does Bruce Campbell live?
Right here, in the plane. He has also spent time in Japan, where he’s long dreamed of building a second airplane home (more on that below).
Where is the plane in the woods? Location and getting there
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The Airplane Home is in the forest outside Hillsboro, Oregon, about 40 minutes west of downtown Portland. You’ll need a car to get there. If you’re flying into Portland, you can compare rental cars here.
Search “Airplane Home” in Google Maps and it’ll take you to Bruce’s driveway. When Maps says you’re a minute away, don’t freak out if you don’t see a plane. You can’t see it from the street.
You’ll know you’re close when you see the ConcertOnAWing.com sign. From there, the unpaved driveway winds through the woods. Once you catch the plane’s nose peeking through the trees, you’ll probably start walking a little faster. I did.
What visiting the Airplane Home was like (my 2020 visit)
Walking up to the plane
The first thing you’ll probably see is Bruce’s pet bird, and you’ll want your camera out immediately. Hold your horses. As you get closer, you’ll hear a voice calling from somewhere up high.
That would be Bruce.
He greeted us from a window above the right wing and told us to come around to that side, where all the magic happens. He invited us to walk on the wing. The group behind us stayed on the ground and flew their drones, but there was no way we were saying no.
Flying a drone over the plane
Seeing the plane from the ground is cool, but the views from above are unreal. I flew a DJI Mavic Mini and finally got the aerial shots I’d been dreaming about for months. If you have a drone, bring it (my current drone pick). Just follow Bruce’s rule: stay at or below the treetops and don’t film the neighbors.
While we flew, Bruce walked us through his background and what living in an airplane is actually like. He never rushed us. He told us to hang around as long as we wanted.
Climbing on top of the plane
The climbing story below describes my 2020 visit. Access may differ today. Bruce warns about slippery surfaces and unguarded edges and prohibits walking on the left wing. Read his current safety instructions before exploring.
There’s an entrance at the back of the plane that leads inside and up to the top. Getting up is a little tricky: you climb metal bars and need a tight grip. Those monkey bars at the park when you were a kid? Training for this exact moment.
Bruce has one simple rule: take your shoes off before heading up the stairs, because he “despises indoor dirt.” He even lends you clean gloves for a better grip. And just like that, you’re standing on top of a Boeing 727 in the middle of the woods. How often can you say that?
Getting back down
There are two ways down (unless you’re planning a backflip):
The way you came up. Bruce says going down is trickier than climbing up, but it’s doable.
Sliding down onto the right wing. Take your gloves off for grip, sit down, and slide while Bruce guides you. It looks higher than it is.
Bruce was happy to let us do it again as many times as we wanted.
Can you go inside the Airplane Home?
Yes. Indoor tours usually happen after 1 p.m., when Bruce is available. You’ll take your shoes off at the air stairs. In winter, bundle up: Bruce warns it can be close to freezing inside. He’s kept the original cockpit, airline seats and flight controls.
When I visited in 2020, tours were outdoor-only, so I only passed through the back of the plane on my way up to the top.
Can you stay overnight at the Airplane Home?
If you were searching for an airplane Airbnb in Oregon, this is even better. Bruce offers free camping with electricity and water, plus free indoor lodging. There’s no online booking. You email him to reserve, and his visitor page has the details.
Is the Airplane Home worth visiting? My honest review
Absolutely. If you only have time for one quirky stop near Portland, make it this one.
Worth it if: you love unusual places, aviation, photography or drones.
You don’t have to climb: plenty of visitors stay on the ground, and it’s still worth the trip.
Plan for: one to two hours.
Best time: a dry day, in daylight.
What stuck with me most was Bruce. Even with 20+ visitors a day back then, he told us he never gets tired of meeting people from all over the world. He made me want to come back to Oregon, and he reminded me to be as kind and welcoming to strangers as he was to us.
Be a good guest
This is Bruce’s home, not a theme park. Visit in daylight, follow his rules, stay out of the neighbors’ driveways, and don’t treat it as a party spot. In late March 2026, a large unauthorized party at the property ended in a shooting. Bruce was out of the country at the time, and he told local news he still wants the property to stay open to visitors.
Airplane Home V2: Bruce's "part 2" plane in Japan
When we visited, Bruce told us about his dream of building a second airplane home in Miyazaki, Japan, partly because he’s dealt with break-ins in Oregon. You can follow the project on AirplaneHomeV2.com.
Make it a day trip
The Airplane Home pairs well with a Portland weekend. Nearby ideas:
Things to do in Downtown Portland
Planning a bigger Oregon trip? Start with my things to do in Oregon guide.
Airplane Home FAQ
Is the plane in the woods in Oregon real?
Yes. It’s a retired Boeing 727 that Bruce Campbell has lived in since 1999.
Where is the abandoned plane in Oregon?
It isn’t abandoned. The Airplane Home is at 15270 SW Holly Hill Road in Hillsboro, about 40 minutes west of Portland.
Do you need an invitation to visit?
No. Outdoor visits are welcome anytime during daylight without an appointment.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. Bruce doesn’t charge, and he asks visitors not to leave money.
Can you fly a drone at the Airplane Home?
Yes, as long as you stay at or below the treetops and don’t film neighboring properties.
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