a ghost town tour

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America's 15 coolest ghost towns to visit.

From Kentucky to California, the U.S. is filled with eerie abandoned cities.

(Courtesy of Travel South Dakota) |

Take a step back in time while visiting these historic – and slightly spooky – ghost towns.

(Courtesy of Scott Peterson) |

St. Elmo, Colorado

(Courtesy of Visit Montana) |

Nevada City, Montana

Spokane, South Dakota

(Sydney Martinez | Courtesy of Travel Nevada)

Goodsprings, Nevada

(Getty Images) |

Goldfield, Arizona

Blue Heron, Kentucky

South Pass City, Wyoming

Independence, Colorado

Calico, California

(Courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism) |

Frisco, Utah

White Oaks, New Mexico

(Courtesy of Aspen Historical Society) |

Ashcroft, Colorado

(Courtesy of The Arizona Office of Tourism) |

Ruby, Arizona

Bodie, California

Grafton, Utah

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Ghost Town Tours

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Ghost Town Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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16 eerie ghost towns in America you can actually visit

You might actually see a spirit at these long-forgotten, abandoned ghost towns in America

America is home to hundreds of ghost towns and abandoned settlements. While they’re dotted across the county, they are ubiquitous in regions like California, Nevada and Colorado that experienced the boom and then bust of industries like mining.

Visiting ghost towns in America is a chance to step back in time, taking in life as it once was. Picture tumbleweeds rolling down Main Street, once-bustling stores now sitting in eerie silence, and faded signs that hint at lives lived long ago. You can wander through old homes, buildings and streets to get a snapshot of the past, taking in stories of pioneers, prospectors, and dreamers. Like the name suggests, you may even spot a ghost along the way.

If you're interested in a glimpse into the past, we've rounded up the most fascinating ghost towns in the US to discover America’s hidden history. If spooky travel is your thing, don’t forget to visit the scariest real-life haunted houses , take yourself on a ghost tour or pay your respects at the most hauntingly beautiful graveyards .

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Ghost towns in America

1.  Centralia, PA

An underground mine fire gone seriously wrong led to this modern ghost town northwest of Philadelphia. In 1962, a fire accidentally spread to the town's old, underground mines, creating sinkholes that spewed smoke and toxic fumes across the community. In 1983, most of the town was evacuated, and in 1992, its real estate was claimed under eminent domain and condemned by the state (delivering the final blow, the ZIP code was officially recalled in 2002). Even though Centralia's fire is still burning today—and expected to burn for another 250 years—four residents still live in the doomed town as of 2020 (sounds like they’re playing with fire, if you ask us). Only five homes remain standing in this town. 

2.  Custer, ID

The population of this gold mining town, located deep inside Idaho's Challis National Forest, peaked in 1896. Home to a massive stamp mill, it had eight saloons and a tiny Chinatown complete with laundry services, a shoe store, and a joss house (a Chinese place of worship). But just 15 years after its boom, Custer's mills shut down and its residents had no choice but to leave their remote mountain home; by 1911, just two families remained. However, most of the town still stands, and in 1981 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Its buildings are open seasonally for visitors and the original school now serves as a museum.

3.  Bodie, CA

This Gold Rush-era town near Yosemite has stood eerily untouched for almost 100 years. Although it already showed signs of decline with dwindling numbers at the start of the 20th century, a series of fires forced the remaining residents to flee the town, leaving it almost exactly as it was in the early 1900s. Dinner tables are still set, shops are still stocked with supplies, and the schoolhouse still has lessons on the chalkboard. Be warned: bad luck is said to befall anyone who steals anything from the site while visiting. 

4.  Kennecott, AK

This preserved-in-time copper mining town is located at the end of a 60-mile-long dirt road in the middle of Alaska's Wrangell–St. Elias National Park (the largest national park in the USA). In its heyday, from around 1910 to 1940, Kennecott processed nearly $200,000,000 worth of copper. By 1938, however, the mine was empty and the Kennecott Copper Corporation abruptly abandoned the operation, leaving everything behind. Today, with St. Elias Alpine Guides, you can take a two-hour guided tour (the only official way to get into the town with its 14-story mill). Make sure also to visit the Root and Kennecott glaciers, too.

5.  Rhyolite, NV

This ghost town near Death Valley National Park was once a bustling ore mining community. In 1904, gold was found within its quartz (rhyolite is a silica-rich volcanic rock that contains quartz, hence the town name), and the game was on with 2,000 claims in a 30-mile area. Soon, Rhyolite boasted a hospital, an opera house, and a stock exchange. In 1906, Charles M. Schwab spent several million on its Montgomery Shoshone mine. Unfortunately, following the 1907 financial panic, businesses were shuttered and residents began to move out. In 1916, light and power were turned off, and the town went ghost. Today, Rhyolite is perhaps best recognized as the set for ScarJo's 2005 sci-fi thriller The Island .

6.  Cahawba, AL

Cahawba was the state's first capital from 1820 to 1825, situated at the junction of two rivers. After the war, the legislature was moved to Selma and the town lost business and population—and periodic flooding wreaked havoc. Today, it's visitable as Old Cahawba Archeological Park, which honors the history of the Native American presence there and the years when many freedmen and women lived there. You can see abandoned streets, cemeteries and building ruins—just make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the ghostly 'orb' that's been known to appear in the garden maze at the home of C.C. Pegues.

7.  Glenrio, NM/TX

Straddling the border between New Mexico and Texas, Glenrio was an action-packed stop on Route 66 for decades. From the 1940s until the 1960s, the tiny town's gas stations, diners, bars and motels were packed with road-trippers passing through the Southwest. But when I-40 was built in the 1970s, drivers no longer stopped in Glenrio, and the town fell into disrepair. Not all is lost, however: the Glenrio Historic District includes 17 abandoned buildings.

8.  St Elmo, CO

Like many ghost towns in the US, St. Elmo (originally called Forrest City) was once a thriving gold and silver mining community. When the gold and silver ran out and disease stalked the town, the population dwindled. The nail in the coffin ended the train service to Chalk Creek Canyon in the '20s. Surprisingly, a general store and Ghost Town Guest House are still operating, which means visitors can spend the night in this ghost town even if the scene is a little  unlively .

9.  Nelson, NV

Early Spanish settlers found silver in Nelson (then Eldorado) in the 1700s. It took another hundred years for other prospectors—many of them Civil War deserters—to find gold, creating the largest booms Nevada had ever seen. All hell broke loose when they did: disputes over the Techatticup Mine, the town's most notorious site, frequently led to murder. Nelson's mines remained active through the 1940s. An infamous 1974 flash flood destroyed the town of Nelson's Landing, five miles away. Nelson's buildings remain today—the ghost town is now a popular location for photo, film, and music video shoots.

10.  Bannack, MT

Paranormal enthusiasts may already know about this desolate former mining town in Montana—it’s featured in the Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures . The Gold Rush-era city was known in its time for being a little rough (holdups, robberies, and murders were well documented on the route to nearby Virginia City) and the sheriff of Bannack was a rumored outlaw. The town was abandoned by the 1950s, but more than 50 of its original 1800s structures still stand and can be explored now that it's a state park.

11.  Santa Claus, AZ

Sure, the middle of the Mojave Desert isn’t the first place you’d look for jolly old Saint Nick—and yet that didn’t stop this now-abandoned town in Arizona from dedicating itself to all things Christmas. Realtor Nina Talbot founded the town in 1937 to attract buyers to the desert, and while Santa Claus was popular with tourists for a bit, all the Christmas spirit wasn't enough to convince enough folks to move in. The decline of Route 66 sounded a death knell for the playing of Jingle Bells. You can still see rundown red-and-white buildings and forlorn tinsel for yourself (it’s not maintained, but you’re free to visit).

12.  Thurmond, WV

In the early 1900s, the railroad kept this West Virginia town humming as a thriving depot for coal. Thurmond had it all as a major stop on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway—hotels, banks, a post office, and more. Sadly, the Great Depression, followed by the invention of the diesel train in the 1950s, ended Thurmond's prosperity. Today, the National Park Service has restored the depot, and the town is on the National Register of Historic Places; you can take a self-guided tour of the now quiet town. Reach it by driving seven miles down a narrow, winding road.

13.  Calico, CA

Calico once thrived with its busy silver mines, beginning auspiciously in 1881. But in the mid-1890s silver lost its value and the inhabitants skedaddled. Walter Knott purchased some of Calico’s buildings to disassemble and move them to Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park near Disneyland. He returned to buy and restore Calico itself, which he later deeded back to the county; it’s now a county regional park that’s an accurate-looking ghost town if not wholly literal. There were once 500 mines here and now you can tour the Maggie Mine and 30 structures—shops, saloons, schoolhouse—and stay in a tent, bunkhouse or cabin overnight. In late October, watch for the “Ghost Haunt” weekend events.

14.  Goldfield, NV

This was your authentic Gold Rush mining camp, established in 1902, which was once the largest city in Nevada. The mines went bust and a flash flood spelled the town’s decline ten years before a fire put things to a conclusive end. Yet, about 250 people still live here among the remnants of the town with saloons, slanting homes, deserted hotel and shacks. It’s worth a visit to poke around this “living ghost town;” we especially recommend the said-to-be-haunted Mozart Tavern, where locals treat visitors with special kindness. Paranormal ghost tours take place here regularly, and the Goldfield Days in August temporarily fill the town back up to its boomtown population.

15.  Goldfield, AZ

There’s more than one Goldfield Ghost Town in the U.S., and this one in Arizona’s Superstition Mountains may provide less of that quiet contemplation of ruin and abandon than a ghost town usually provides; things are hopping here and the latest addition is a zipline. But there are tours of a legitimate century-old mine, a narrow gauge railroad, a walking ghost tour at night, seasonal historic gunfights over the contents of a Wells Fargo box, the typical gold-panning, and the not -typical chance to talk with a ‘floozy’ at Lu Lu’s Bordello. Bring the kids?

16.  Castle Dome, AZ

This place is enormous, with 80 buildings and 300 mines (not all are safe to enter). It represents a salvaging of the once-booming mid-1800s settlement (only seven buildings are original), with reconstructions harking to the gold and silver mining claims enacted here. The tales here are impressive, with an 1863 mine owner attacked by 180 Apaches and left in an arroyo to be half-eaten by coyotes, and the wild chain of events that followed, including an opium overdose, a stagecoach robbery and a fellow being shot trying to stop a lynching. There’s much more: an $800 million fluorescent minerals wall and a doomsday cult that wintered here, but we’ll just say it’s worth the visit.

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A List of Ghost Towns & Tours Southern Arizona

Feel free to send us a note and tell us about a Ghost Town in your area. Read our stories below about some of the ghost towns we have found. Click on a hotspot in the map below or scroll down and browse a list. Explore on your own or take a tour. It has been reported that some ghost towns are currently restricted due to vandalism.

Fairbank has an on-site docent most days when the Schoolhouse is open. The Friends of San Pedro River occasionally give tours of Charleston and Millville, as well as the old Clanton Ranch, Contention and the Charleston Cemetery, (hard to find). We have included Tombstone, Jerome, and Pearce even though some of them have made a successful comeback. Fun towns to visit and explore for the history.

We are definitely fans of the cemeteries in ghost towns and any city with a significant history to offer. You can see our post on interesting cemeteries here. Far from being macabre, they tend to speak to us and tell us a story.

Click on a spot below to bring up an excerpt of our story of the ghost town.

Ghost Towns and Tales of Southern Arizona

Ghost tours of southern arizona, please browse our content below:, a visit to the cochise hotel, cochise az, sally reichardt’s jerome anniversary adventure, fall vacation: jerome & the grand hotel, kentucky camp az: a ghost town with accommodations, arizona ghost towns: a book review, route 66 & the burros of oatman, az, ghost town of klondyke az & the power family saga, wickenburg & vulture city: a visit, ghost towns & cemeteries in southern arizona, one hundred sixty acres of dirt: a book review.

• Butterfield Overland Mail Company and the Dragoon Springs Stage Station
• Road Trip to Pearce Arizona Wine Country
• El Paso & Southwestern: Baja Arizona’s Forgotten Railroad: Part I
• Ghost Town Trail: Pearce To Courtland To Gleeson!
• Castle Dome City: A Mini-Road Trip From Yuma, AZ
• A Day In Santa Cruz County
• Fray Marcos Monument in Lochiel, a Ghost Town
• Beyond Tucson: Things to do In Southeast Arizona
• Tour Pearce AZ: A (Sometimes Lively) Ghost Town!
• A Hike to Charleston Cemetery with the FSPR
• Lochiel, Arizona. What? Where? Huh?
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• Fort Bowie, Arizona Territory: 1862 – 1894. A Pictorial
• Ruby Arizona: Our Best Ghost Town
• Tombstone: The Town Too Tough To Die Almost Did
• Mesilla New Mexico & Its Historical Connection to Tucson Arizona
• Steins: A Ghost Town With Stories To Tell
• The Ghost Town Tour You Should Not Have Missed!
• A Hike to the Ghost Town of Charleston Arizona Territory
• You Are Invited: Bisbee Overnight Tour
• Fairbank AZ: Ghost Town
• Southern Arizona Ghost Town Tour: A Slideshow!
• Ghost Town Trail: A Day Trip From Tucson!
• Fairbank: A Ghost Town Slideshow
• Big Nose Kate’s Saloon To Overland Trout: A Pleasant Sunday Drive!
• SASCO the Forgotten Ghost Town
• Guided Hike to Charleston Ruins
• Ghost Town Slideshow – Gleeson, Pearce, Courtland, Cochise, AZ
• Gleeson Ghost Town & Rattlesnake Oddities
• In The Middle of Nowhere: Rattlesnake Crafts & Rocks!
• The Village of Arivaca, The Ghost Town Of Ruby, & Sweet Peas Cafe’!
• Halloween Howl: Descent Into A Frightening Underworld!
• Ghosts and Ghost Tours of Bisbee
• Thar Be Ghosts In Downtown Tucson!
• Lil Abner’s Steakhouse – Marana

It was a Sunday in mid-September when Ms. Karen and I left our home in the Tucson Mountains to travel to the Cochise Hotel to visit with the proprietor, Phil Gessert. We arrived at noon and Phil was sitting on the front porch waiting for us. The Cochise Hotel is … Continue reading

(Ms. Karen and I sometimes invite knowledgeable others to post on our website. Friend Sally Reichardt lives in the beautiful rolling hills of Sonoita and when she and her husband, Bryce, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary recently, they did so in Jerome. The following is her account of that memorable … Continue reading

Following our train excursion on the Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarkdale, Arizona (featured in last week’s newsletter), we headed up the hill to the old mining town of Jerome. Ms. Karen’s brother Paul, and his wife, Linda, followed us in their car toting their electric bicycles on the rear. We, … Continue reading

More than a hundred years ago, Kentucky Camp was the headquarters for the Santa Rita Water & Mining Company, which was formed to extract placer deposits from the Greaterville Mining District in the foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains 9 miles NW of Sonoita.

We obtained this book from Arizona Highways’ Online Shop. The book’s full title is; ‘Arizona Ghost Towns: 50 of the State’s Best Places to Get a Glimpse of the Old West” by author Noah Austin. Published in 2020, it is a treasure trove of information about the territory’s early mining … Continue reading

A burro at our car window on Route 66 near Oatman.

We were in Wickenburg for the weekend in May 2021 with Neighbors Ron and Elaine. On Sunday morning we got up early to take the 2 and a half-hour drive up to Oatman, Az, one of the items on my bucket list. We connected to I-40 near Kingman and got off at old Route 66 and continued heading west. Soon, the road became switchbacks with signs indicating “Slow” and also “Burros in the Road Ahead”. For the uninitiated, “burro” is Spanish for “donkey”.

Ms.Karen feeding an Oatman burro.

Sure enough, around a steep corner was a gang of burros waiting for a passing car to give them something to eat. Ms. Karen opened the passenger side window and a burro stuck his head inside the car. We didn’t have any burro food, so she patted his snout and we proceeded on our way.

Oatman burro.

When we arrived in Oatman 10 very narrow, windy miles later, the street was crowded with people touring this old town, visiting open shops and feeding the ubiquitous burros. The burros are holdovers from mining days when the mines were shut down and the miners let their beasts of burden loose into the surrounding desert. While they seem tame enough, they are still wild animals.

Olive Oatman

The name Oatman was chosen in honor of Olive Oatman, a young Illinois girl who was captured and enslaved by Indians, probably from the Tolkepayas tribe, during her pioneer family’s massacre going on their journey westward in 1851. She was later sold or traded to the Mojaves, who adopted her and tattooed her face in the custom of the tribe. She was released in 1856 at Fort Yuma to her brother, who had survived the massacre of the Oatman family.

In 1863, prospector Johnny Moss discovered gold in the Black Mountains and staked several claims, one named the Moss and another after Olive Oatman, whose story was well known. For the next half-century, mining waxed and waned in the remote district until new technology, reduced transportation costs, and new gold discoveries brought prosperity to Oatman in the early 20th century. The opening of the Tom Reed mine, followed by the discovery of a rich ore body in the nearby United Eastern Mining Company’s property in 1915, brought one of the desert’s last gold rushes. The boom of 1915–17 gave Oatman all the characters and characteristics of any gold rush boom town. For about a decade, the mines of Oatman were among the largest gold producers in the American West.

Elaine petting burro.

The district had produced US$40,000,000 (equivalent to $703,801,000 in 2020) in gold by 1941, when the remainder of the town’s gold mining operations were ordered shut down by the government as part of the country’s war effort, because other metals were needed.

Ms. Karen and Ron at the Oatman jail.

In 1921, a fire burned down many of Oatman’s smaller buildings, but spared the Oatman Hotel built in 1902. It remains the oldest two-story adobe structure in Mohave County and is a Mohave County historical landmark. One of the hotel’s major attractions is a room designated as the suite where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard supposedly spent their honeymoon after their 1939 wedding in Kingman AZ. The notion that the couple actually stayed here is in doubt.

Oatman Hotel est. 1902.

The hotel isn’t open for overnight guests but it has a good restaurant and we took lunch there on their back patio. It was crowded but the food was good and so was the service.

Oatman Saloon.

Oatman was fortunate to be located on busy Route 66 as it catered to travelers driving between Kingman, Arizona, and Needles, California. Yet even that advantage was short-lived because the town was completely bypassed in 1953 when Route 66 was realigned between Kingman and Needles. By the 1960s, Oatman was all but abandoned after the completion of I-40. Today, however, at least on the weekends, Oatman is a busy place. If you go, watch out for burros on the road.

Klondyke is a near-ghost town in western Graham County. In the second decade of the 21st century, the only roads out there are still unpaved. The Klondyke cemetery is just southeast of town. There you will find the graves of the Thomas Jefferson “Jeff” Power and his family. Few know the sad story of these […]

Neighbors Elaine and Ron went with Ms. Karen and me to Wickenburg one weekend in late May 2021. To avoid Phoenix traffic we drove from Tucson through Gila Bend then north on Hwy 85 to Hwy 60. Before reaching Wickenburg, we came to Vulture City, the site of an old … Continue reading

Updated 2021-05-12. We love to wander around old cemeteries, a good excuse for a road trip. Cemeteries give us a sense of history, a sense of place. Many memories are hidden there, many stories to be told. Isn’t the cliche, “If only the dead could talk?” Sometimes, they do. Old cemeteries … Continue reading

Several months ago, Marsha Arzberger asked me to take a look at her soon-to-be-published book, One Hundred Sixty Acres of Dirt, and comment upon it. I did so, and what I wrote has been published in that book. Back then, I wrote: One Hundred Sixty Acres of Dirt is the … Continue reading

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Review Highlights

“ We had a great time, the emf went wild in the stairwell of the clubhouse, but the highlight was the storytelling. ” in 22 reviews

“ Me and my mom traveled from Mesa to Jerome to see the sites and wanted to finish our night with a ghost tour . ” in 50 reviews

“ We got some great voices that came through the spirit box and intelligent responses to some of our questions. ” in 11 reviews

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403 Clark St

Jerome, AZ 86331

Serving Jerome Area

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We provide authentic historical tours & ghost tours of Jerome, AZ. Our guides are local individuals that have a passion for knowledge and story telling. You will have an opportunity to enjoy these stories while learning the locations of Jerome's most notorious characters. You may choose to visit the local mines or you can take the ultimate Ghost adventure and research the para-normal with our ghost guides. No matter which tour you choose from our list of adventures you are sure to experience Jerome's History as never seen before. …

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374 reviews

I'm forgetting our tour guide's name but he was so awesome! We were the first people to tour the cottonwood cemetery, and the experience was great! He didn't hover over us, just let us do our thing and that was the best. He goes into some detail regarding the history of Jerome/Cottonwood which was interesting. We had so much fun that the 2 hours we were out there felt like 15 minutes. He even let us take the spirit box and EVP with us for the night! Super cool experience and would highly recommend it to anyone that likes to ghost hunt!

We had the best time! We love to go ghost hunting! So to find out that we could not only go on a historical tour, but to get out and do some communications with lingering spirits! We were thrilled! The cute lady at the desk was very friendly and helpful! Our tour guide was very nice, informative and fun! The tour showed us all kinds of things that we wouldn't have seen by ourselves. I'm so happy we did this!

See all photos from Shannon W. for Ghost Town Tours

So worth the money! Our guide Ginger was fantastic and SO knowledgeable, the store was great too. Loved exploring and learning the history of Jerome and looking for ghost activity. My son and husband also loved it. We will definitely be back to Jerome to explore more and recommend a trip through this business. Thank you Ginger, you were great.

Highly recommend this company. Our kids, 6 and 8, had a blast as well. Our tour guide was interesting and provide a ton of history. We had a lot of fun.

Josh was absolutely amazing. The tour was informative and we had an AMAZING time. Hands down recommend booking your tour and we will be going back for sure!

Spirit box at one is the stops from the tour.

First let me say I was late to our shuttle tour. There was no where to park, Jerome was packed for a Saturday. Cody was awesome he called me on my cell phone, he was very patient, luckily we were the only two passengers on our tour so he was very cordial and never made us feel rushed. He told us great stories and drove us around the city to the various haunted sites. With Covid it was difficult because we couldn't go in a lot of the buildings, but Cody made up for it with his stories and history lessons. Jerome is such a unique little town with full of haunted history. The best part was the cemetery. It was super creepy and out in the middle of nowhere. I thoroughly enjoyed it overall! Definitely worth the time and money. Thank you Cody!

We had an Awesome tour with Shane (Cody), He was friendly, super knowledgeable, and flexible. We went for my boyfriend's birthday on this actually bday for the driving ghost tour at 7pm. It was just the two of us and Cody. We learned the history of Jermone. We spent the majority of our time at the cemetery, which was our first spot. There was a lot of activity there. We communicated with a lot of spirits. Freaky thing is they mentioned our names loudly and clearly. I experienced a tumble down a hill after we heard Stop, Go Away. I hike so I know I didn't loose my footing. I just landed on my butt and spin around facing off the hill. Very strange. Then I feel a child hand gently squeezed my ring finger and pinky on my left hand that was at my side. We got pics of orbs and video of other things too. It fun was and scary at the same time. Yes, I would do this again!!!

See all photos from Judy L. for Ghost Town Tours

Shane was our tour guide and he has lots of stories and was very informational about the history of the town and the people that lived there. I thought the tour was going to be walking around and listening to the stories, but I saw the EMF readers getting passed out and the other listening equipment busting out, I was like WHAT? We are going to try to communicate with them??? We got a several CLEAR responses. We were at this Cafe and we asked we were were welcomed and a clear male voice said GO...then we heard HURRY! OK, peace out I am out of there. We made several stops and learned the history.

This was a fantastic tour! We visited Jerome a few years ago but learned so much more from Scott! It was worth every penny!

This was my second tour with Ghost Town Tours. Both tours were so much fun! Cody was our tour guide for this last tour and he's such a wealth of information. We highly recommend Ghost Town Tours and would definitely book with them again!

We took the one hour walking tour. By far the best, most knowledgeable guide I've ever had the privilege of. I highly recommend this place. Don't visit Jerome without a tour. There's so much to learn that will insure that you appreciate this unique community.,

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Kolmanskuppe

Ghost town tours.

Kolmanskuppe owes its existence to the one jewel that is as precious as it is timeless: the Diamond.

In the year 1908 the first diamond was found, leading to a frantic diamond rush as thousands of fortune seekers converged in the desert to seek its wealth. This is how the little town of Kolmanskuppe developed. Today this once vibrant town lies at the mercy of the Namib Desert, threatening to engulf the grand buildings.

Here amongst the windswept houses of Kolmanskuppe lies the key to a past long gone, the remains of an era where diamonds sparkled and sustained life along the coast of Namibia.

Let us enchant you with some magical tales of intriguing history in the heart of the forbidden territory.

Tours & Prices

Explore, discover and experience Kolmanskuppe with our directional map for ease of reference

Tavern & Curios

The Tavern at Kolmanskop is situated in the Champagne Bar of the Casino Building.

View a gallery of images and videos of the Kolmanskuppe Ghost Town and surrounding area

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Beautiful History

Wonderful architecture, the town tavern.

Visiting Cerro Gordo Ghost Town in the Inyo Mountains in California

Table of Contents

The Cerro Gordo Ghost Town is one of the best-preserved ghost towns I ever visited. I have been to other so-called “ghost towns” but they were more like a tourist trap. Cerro Gordo which means “fat hill” in Spanish was a bustling silver mine. The mine was established in 1867 and was the first major silver strike in Owens Valley.

Today the town is privately owned by a group of investors but still open for tourists. Ultimately the owners plan to transform the ghost town into a retreat center for conferences, workshop events, and film shoots.

Cerro Gordo is located 200 miles north of Los Angeles and 200 miles west of Las Vegas. The closest town, Lone Pine, is about 22 miles away. In Lone Pine, you can find hotels, restaurants, and stores if you are in need of these on your journey. From Lone Pine, you will travel east on State Route 136 until you meet the turn off to Cerro Gordo St in Keeler. The town sits in the Inyo Mountains near Death Valley National Park.

The drive from the intersection of Cerro Gordo Road and CA-136 to the ghost town is just under 8 miles. Cerro Gordo Road is a County-maintained dirt/gravel road. A 4WD-vehicle is recommended for the drive up to Cerro Gordo. In reality, you can do it in a 2WD car, but you should have some ground clearance.

On your way up to Cerro Gordo, you will gain over 4300 ft (1310 m) in elevation. The town is located at an elevation of approximately 8000 ft (2440 m) above sea level. You could suffer slight altitude sickness, so be aware.

Drive slowly ad the gravel here has some sharp edges and can damage your tires, which is the last thing you want to experience on your trip. Also, keep an eye on your transmission temperature. On your way down you should put your transmission into a low gear. That way the engine will assist you in breaking on your way down. This will save your brakes from high wear. It will take you about 30 minutes to get up or down.

The road starts out wide and flat but you will pass some very narrow spots and also drive very close to the side of the hill. There is two-way traffic on the road, be prepared to stop. There are plenty of turnouts to let opposite traffic pass. Here some photos from the drive to Cerro Gordo Ghost Town.

Once at the ghost town, park around the church or at the turnout just before that. Don’t park on the road as it is a public road and there are people traveling through here. Once there, make sure you check in with the caretaker. There is usually always a caretaker on site. Just look around. He lives in the first house you see on your right while driving into the town.

There is a fee to tour the ghost town. It’s private property and you have to pay the fee either for a self-guided tour or a tour given by the caretaker.

Cerro Gordo Ghost Town Tour

I recommend you make reservations in advance. As I just found out about the place as I was in the area, I tried my luck and drove up there and encountered the caretaker checking in another group just before me. They only accept cash when you pay on location. Advanced reservations can be made on the homepage of the Ghost Town . However, the website shows a price of $15 at the checkout page , but $10 on the regular homepage . I got charged $10 which I paid cash on site.

The Cerro Gordo Mining Town website shows that the guided tours take place at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Jonathan, the part-time caretaker giving my tour, told me that you can just come up and they are welcome to accommodate you.

Opening Hours

The town is open to be visited all year long. Remember that there is no snow removal in the winter. Hours are during the daytime and are as follows.

Standard Time

Monday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Daylight Savings Time

Monday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

You want to make sure, you get off the mountain before it gets dark. It’s just for safety.

Guided Tour

I joined a guided tour by the part-time caretaker Jonathan. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the town and all the artifacts around the place. He guided us through most of the different buildings in the ghost town. He told us about what buildings got upgraded from its original state. Some of them needed to have some work done for safety reasons. If you look closely you will find some satellite dishes up here on some of the buildings. Also, the large cell tower on the hill next door is a little bit disruptive in photos.

During the tour, you get to know all the facts about the mine past and current. Our guide, Jonathan was very knowledgeable and gave us in-depth information about how the mine was first founded, operated, and so on.

You won’t be able to get into the mine shafts themselves. There are 25 miles of tunnels in the mountain and many of them are unsafe, including the entry to the tunnel system. I got told, that you can request a special tour to get to the entrance and up to the tower, but you won’t be allowed inside the mines for safety reasons.

The old store got transformed into an exhibit hall for all kinds of artifacts from the mine’s time period. Our tour guide explained some of the objects found there, which I would have never guessed what they were supposed to be. Jonathan showed us how the silver came out of the mountain and in what it was transformed before it got loaded on a mule train heading down the mountain. You can buy Cerro Gordo Ingots in the old store as a souvenir or on their website .

In case you are a geocacher, there is a nice cache up at the ghost town. Easy to find, but wait until the muggles pass. Probably after the tour or in between. There are multiple other caches on the way up, might worth checking out as well.

Cerro Gordo (Fat HILL) Ghost Town

Photo Gallery

Below you find a gallery with all my pictures of Cerro Gordo Ghost Town. You can click the “Load more photos” button at the bottom of the gallery or just click on the album name to open Flickr.

Peter has a passion for Traveling, Photography, and Geocaching. These are the best ingredients for amazing adventures all over the globe. “Traveling is fun, no matter if you stay in a luxury hotel or travel like a backpacker.” Peter shares his experiences on his Blog www.gatetoadventures.com Some of Peter’s photos are published on corporate websites, in-flight magazines, travel guides, and much more.

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20 Best Things to Do in St. Augustine, Florida

Here's how locals recommend exploring the coastal city, from ghost tours to gourmet ice pops.

With more than 450 years of history, it's not surprising that St. Augustine — the oldest continuously occupied settlement in America — is packed with intrigue. This coastal city is one of the best places to visit in Florida , thanks to all the fascinating things to do and see here, plus quaint places to stay and delicious eats to enjoy.

If there’s anyone who knows the best things to do in St. Augustine, it’s Barbara Golden, who has served as communications manager at the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau since 2005. “I’ve been lucky enough to work in the tourism industry in the St. Augustine area for more than 40 years,” Golden says. “I get to explore and interact with great people and experiences here every day.”

Of course, the city has other superfans, too, like Florida travel and lifestyle blogger Mandy Mizell, who's known as The Flohemian to her followers. “I first visited St. Augustine on my fourth-grade field trip — a Floridian rite of passage — and fell in love,” Mizell says. “I told my mom at the tender age of 10 that I was going to Flagler College, which I did for a year. When I met my husband, a Flagler College alum, I started visiting the area three to four times per year and spending every Christmas there with his family. I began a Florida travel blog shortly after I met him, and I used our family visits as an opportunity to seek new adventures around St. Augustine.”

Serving as your unofficial tour guides, here's what Golden and Mizell point to as the best things to do in St. Augustine, from classic, can’t-miss attractions to lesser-known locals’ picks.

Related : Hotels to Book for a Trip to St. Augustine

Go for a ride with Old Town Trolley Tours.

It may be touristy, Mizell admits, but taking a ride with Old Town Trolley Tours is a great and easy way to get around St. Augustine, and you'll hear historical tidbits about the 458-year-old city as you go. Plus, Mizell points out, “It’s a free sober ride around town — and most of the local distilleries, wineries, and breweries offer free tastings. There’s also a connection to the Old Town Trolley Beach bus, so you can easily navigate the area without a car.”

Tour Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a Spanish stone fortress that was built in 1695 and offers unbeatable views of St. Augustine Inlet. “I love to stand on the ramparts, looking out at the Atlantic Ocean,” Golden says. “I love to imagine what it was like living here in the 1600s, being on watch for approaching pirates or British invaders. Today, the views are of boats moored in the Bayfront, pods of dolphins swimming and playing in the bay, and kayakers paddling by. The rangers, reenactors, and storytellers here are engaging, and I learn something new about our history every time I visit.”

Mizell shares the same love for the landmark and recommends visiting after sundown. “The fort has a special energy at night, and it’s completely free of charge to wander the grounds outside after hours. The entire fort is illuminated, making for some fun night photos with palm tree shadows in the background. You’ll also overhear haunted tales as ghost tours pass through the area. Sit on the wall during a full moon and watch boats cruise along the Matanzas River.”

Cool down with a gourmet popsicle.

Everyone loves a home-grown success story, and The Hyppo is exactly that. Opened in 2010 with a little money and a lot of passion, this shop sells ice pops that are inspired by Mexican paletas, and they contain local, in-season produce and herbs in super-fresh flavor combinations like cucumber lemon mint, blackberry jasmine, pineapple ginger, and (this writer’s favorite) mango mojito. Today, there are five Hyppo locations around Florida, plus pop peddlers across the nation. The pop shop is named for the patron saint of Saint Augustine — the city was discovered on the day of the Feast of Saint Augustine of Hippo — and their flagship store location is on Hypolita Street.

Get spooked on a ghost tour.

It’s another touristy itinerary item, but ghost tours in St. Augustine are popular for a reason, and you simply can’t leave the city without taking one. From Old Town Trolley Tours’ Ghosts & Gravestones tour aboard their signature ghoulish trolleys to lantern-lit walking tours with Ghost Tours of St. Augustine , there are many to choose from, some more spooky than others. Expect to end the night fully freaked out after hearing tales of St. Augustine’s dark past and the hauntings that continue today.

Tour the St. Augustine Distillery and have a drink upstairs.

The St. Augustine Distillery and upstairs Ice Plant Bar is a two-for-one stop. “No visit to the Oldest City is complete without embracing its true spirits,” Mizell says. “This local distillery is located inside the historic FPL Ice Plant. They offer free tours with complimentary tastings, which will get the light drinker quite tipsy. Be sure to visit the Ice Plant restaurant and bar upstairs for a cocktail, where each concoction is served with special types of ice.” There’s also a gift shop where you can purchase the distillery’s sippables, plus non-alcoholic treats that are often created in collaboration with other local businesses.

Visit St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum.

For a birds-eye take on the Oldest City, head to St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum . “Climb 219 steps to the top for the most spectacular view of historic St. Augustine, the surrounding area, and the Atlantic Ocean,” Golden recommends. “I also like touring the grounds to see the wooden boatworks and the local volunteers working to build authentic replica vessels. My favorite part is entering the archaeology lab to observe maritime archeologists working to identify and restore some of the treasures they find on wrecks off our coast — most hundreds of years old.”

Relax at the beach.

While the main appeal of St. Augustine is certainly its winding cobblestone streets and centuries-old Spanish colonial architecture, its beaches are also worth a visit. Nearby St. Augustine Beach is a popular choice, while the white sands of tranquil Crescent Beach and breezy Butler Beach are perfect places to unwind.

Dine at The Floridian Restaurant.

For full-fledged, Florida-style dining with a Southern twang, chow down at The Floridian Restaurant . “Located on Spanish Street, this farm-to-table restaurant is adorned with quirky Florida decor, such as vintage rattan, alligator heads, and Florida kitsch,” Mizell shares. “The native Floridian chef composed a menu sourcing local ingredients with dishes that pay homage to all the flavors that influence St. Augustine. It's predominantly upscale Southern fare with local recipes passed down over generations.”

Plan a wintertime visit to experience Nights of Lights.

There’s no bad time of year to visit St. Augustine, but some visitors make annual pilgrimages from mid-November to the end of January to witness Nights of Lights , one of the top holiday light displays in the world. Decked in millions of tiny white lights, the city glows with a warm and festive atmosphere that’s breathtaking to see, and the spectacle is completely free to enjoy.

Watch a show at St. Augustine Amphitheatre.

Located on Anastasia Island, the St. Augustine Amphitheatre is an outdoor amphitheater that seats up to 4,000 people, making it a great place to catch some of your favorite acts. Mizell also recommends going on a Saturday morning, when you can browse a farmers’ market full of local vendors selling produce, art, and prepared foods. “There’s always live music, and it gives you a real glimpse of the local life and flavors of St. Augustine,” Mizell says. “Oftentimes there’s a featured local artist or author that you can chat with and learn lore about the Oldest City.”

Zipline over crocodiles.

Alligators and Florida go together like beaches and sunshine, and the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is a great place for an up-close (but safe) encounter, plus educational programming. “My favorite experience is the Crocodile Crossing, a zipline and ropes course over the crocs and gators,” Golden shares. “It’s a workout and a fun way to see the park’s inhabitants.” Another favorite is the rookery, where hundreds of wading birds nest each year between February and June. “The sight is amazing,” Golden adds. “If you love birding, this is the spot — roseate spoonbills, egrets, herons of all kinds, and more can be seen here.”

Try local chocolate.

If you have a sweet tooth, Golden recommends touring the Whetstone Chocolates factory . “Free samples come with this tour that tells the story of chocolate (one of my favorite things in life), including the Spaniards introducing it to the rest of the world, how artisan chocolates are made, and the right way to eat fine chocolate,” she shares.

Stroll Magnolia Avenue.

Contrary to what its name suggests, Magnolia Avenue is lined not with blooming magnolias but with the second-most Southern of trees: “This scenic street is shaded by live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, and it's one of the most photographed streets in America,” Mizell says. “It also has a great photo opportunity in front of the Fountain of Youth sign.” Directly across the street, grab a freshly squeezed lemonade from The Fountain of Juice to enjoy as you walk.

Take a scenic drive.

Hit the road for a 72-mile coastal drive along the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway from Ponte Vedra Beach to Flagler Beach. “I like to pack a picnic and head down to the spectacular beaches at Matanzas Inlet, then take the ferry over to our other fort, Fort Matanzas ,” Golden shares. “Paddle the inland waters with Ripple Effect EcoTours to see dolphins and other native animals in their natural habitat, followed by a visit to Marineland Dolphin Adventure to take a deeper dive into the aquatic life here, and — my very favorite — swim with a dolphin and learn to speak their language.”

Get out on the water.

Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and sailing are great ways to get another perspective on St. Augustine. “I feel safest with minimal boat traffic, paddling in front of the Castillo de San Marcos, on Salt Run, or at Matanzas Inlet,” Golden shares. She also recommends sailing charters for all the salty fun with none of the work. “One of my favorites is St. Augustine Sailing for a sunset sail — makes me feel like I am in a Christopher Cross song. They also have some really fun themed sails — brunch, Magic on the High Seas, and dinner cruises with a private chef.”

Visit Ponte Vedra Beach.

Don’t forget about Ponte Vedra Beach — a luxury resort town with beaches, golf, and nature preserves just north of St. Augustine. “The beaches at Ponte Vedra are very unique, and between St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra sits the GTM NERR ; we refer to it as the GTM Reserve,” says Golden. “This is the coastal site where Ponce de Leon actually sighted land on April 2, 1513, and came ashore the following day and claimed all of Florida for Spain. There’s even a statue of Ponce de Leon at the north beach parking area. The sand dunes here tower over the coquina beaches; in fact, they are 40 feet high in some places — the highest dunes in Florida. It’s also a great place to hunt for fossilized shark’s teeth .”

Take a nighttime bioluminescent kayaking tour.

Want to get out on the water, no SPF required? “One of my other favorite activities at the GTM Reserve is a night paddle with Geo Trippin ,” Golden shares. “They take guests out on Guana Lake, where they paddle into the night to see the bioluminescent jelly combs. It’s like magic to see the sparkles that light up around your paddle in the water, and your guide will explain the existence of this natural phenomenon since the beginning of man and its importance to our environment. Unlike other places where biolumes are a seasonal occurrence, they are present year-round on Guana Lake.”

Book a food tour.

The food scene in St. Augustine has exploded in recent years, with eateries dedicated not only to the latest food trends but also to showcasing locals’ culinary heritage, from Greek, Menorcan, and Latin influences to down-home Southern cooking. “It’s hard to eat at all the great restaurants here, so I like to taste a few at a time on one of our city’s food tours ,” Golden says. “They change featured restaurants (usually three to four on each tour) and the chef or a manager comes to the table to talk about what’s so special at their restaurant.”

Groove at Colonial Oak Music Park.

According to Mizell, one of the hidden treasures of historic St. George Street is Colonial Oak Music Park , where you can “listen to live local music under a 300-year-old oak tree streamed with lantern lights.” What could be better? The one-of-a-kind venue also has improv comedy nights, where you can sit back and enjoy a laugh or become part of the show as an audience volunteer. “In September, the Colonial Oak hosts artists during St. Augustine’s annual Sing Out Loud Festival and features national music acts,” she adds. “The best news is that most events have free admission, so you can pop in for a song or hang out for the whole evening.”

Visit Anastasia State Park.

Located less than 10 minutes by car from historic downtown St. Augustine, the serene Anastasia State Park has 1,600 acres of beaches, tidal marshes, maritime hammocks, and ancient sand dunes, where visitors can swim, fish, canoe, kayak, hike, and even camp. The park also has a full calendar of events , from guided paddle adventures and bird walks to trail hikes and coffee with a park ranger. It’s a vacation within a vacation, right in the middle of everything.

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11 Creepy Idaho Ghost Towns You’ll Never Forget

Do you love exploring abandoned places? Are you a fan of history and the Wild West? If so, Idaho is the perfect destination for you! From small mining towns to larger cities, Idaho is home to many ghost towns that are just waiting to be explored. Whether you’re looking for a spooky adventure or simply want to discover the past, Idaho’s ghost towns offer something for everyone. So buckle up and join us as we take a closer look at some of these fascinating historical sites!

The ghost towns of Idaho will transport you back to a time when people lived by a different code and worked hard for their survival. In many cases, these towns have a colorful past filled with stories of miners, ranchers, performers, and even outlaws! The remains of old saloons, churches, hotels and other structures give visitors an insight into the lives of those who lived there before them.

So whether you’re an adventure seeker or simply curious about Idaho’s rich history – don’t miss out on visiting one of Idaho’s unique ghost towns.

Warren Idaho

If you’re looking for a creepy ghost town with a lot of character Warren is for you. Warren established itself as a gold mining district on July 22, 1862. From 1866 to 1868, Warren was the most prosperous mining town in Northern Idaho . Then, in 1874, Chinese miners dominated the mining industry and further developed Warren until 1876. 

When in Warren , tourists can indulge in the “Warren Historic Walking Tour” to see the buildings and hear stories about the town. Another highlight is the Chinese Gardens, located eight miles from Warren. 

The town’s historic artifacts provide a glimpse into the heritage and culture of the Chinese-American settlers during Warren’s economic prosperity.

Don’t miss the Warren Baum Shelter for some great food or a cold beverage. It’s a great little tavern which is full of history and some unique artifacts.

Pierce Idaho Ghost Town

Captain E.D. Pierce found Pierce as he led a group in search of minerals. Pierce marks the beginning of Idaho’s gold mining as one of the state’s first mining districts. 

Life still exists in Pierce. In 2019, the town’s population had 553 residents, according to the United States Census Bureau. A notable building is the Pierce Courthouse which is a historical reminder of Pierce’s mining days. 

While Pierce is not technically a ghost town, it is notable since it is one of Idaho’s first mining towns . When in Pierce, tourists should visit the Pierce Courthouse and the J. Howard Bradbury Logging Museum.  

If you happen to be in Idaho in August, consider visiting Pierce during their “1860s Days,” an event hosted by the town to celebrate its beginnings and contribution to the Idaho gold rush. 

Placerville 

Placerville is one of the gold mining towns discovered during the Idaho gold rush. In 1862, Placerville, along with Idaho City and Centerville, were the top Idaho mining camps. Early days attracted thousands of residents to Placerville, but Idaho City later surpassed Placerville due to its long-lasting water supply in the spring. 

Placerville is one of the old mining towns in the Boise Basin where remnants of the district still exist.

Silver City Ghost Town

Silver City is one of the mining towns that didn’t burn down. Fortunately, the mining town survived through the 1875 California Bank Failure and, during that time, managed to produce a yield of about $40 million. 

Visiting Silver City is like “taking a step back in time” due to the vast historical buildings that still stand. In particular, the Idaho Hotel is a notable attraction that appears as it did 100 years ago.

De Lamar Ghost Town

Joseph DeLamar, a former sea captain, established De Lamar in 1888 and cleverly named it after himself. His creativity quickly paid off as the town grew to great wealth and prosperity due to large silver deposits that were uncovered in the nearby Owyhee Mountains.

De Lamar experienced tremendous success in a short amount of time, but when the mining industry began to dwindle, many residents left in search of employment and more prosperous prospects. The situation worsened further after World War I as plummeting silver prices caused an additional exodus from De Lamar. Ultimately, these departures led to its ultimate abandonment by 1914.

Despite some buildings enduring the test of time, many have been reduced to ashes due to fires. The De Lamar area currently encompasses an expansive 1,600 acres and is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.

Rocky Bar Idaho

When miners searched for more gold outside of the Boise Basin, they found the Rocky Bar. Rocky Bar was a mining camp, and it, unfortunately, closed down during the war in 1942.

Rocky Bar is truly a ghost town that brings frequent visitors every year. A notable tourist attraction is the Rocky Bar Masonic Hall that George Golden rebuilt in 1892 after it burned down.

Leesburg Mining Camp

Miners found Leesburg during the mining expansion in Montana. In 1866 they found gold, and 500-600 miners decided to settle in Leesburg. During the camp’s mining days, they reached a population of about 2,000, and in 1868 they produced $100 million in gold. 

Not much remains in Leesburg except some dilapidated buildings. When there, you will see plaques that contain photos and historical information about the town.

Custer and Bonanza Ghost Town

Nestled on the westernmost edge of Salmon-Challis National Forest, you’ll find Bonanza and Custer Ghost Town. All that stands between you and this historic destination is a 20 minute drive down Route 75 until Sunbeam, then followed by a left onto Yankee Fork Road. In no time at all, these creepy ghost towns will come into view to your left!

In 1878, Bonanza and Custer Ghost Town were established as two distinct towns that eventually became one due to their close proximity. After the General Custer Mill revealed to be a wealth of tetrahedrite, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite, towns sprung up around it in no time. The mine fueled its inhabitants for years until early 1900s when miners decided to seek more lucrative prospects elsewhere.

The majority of the remaining structures are well-maintained, creating an opportunity for tourists to take a step back in time. Detailed maps and informative historical markers can help you gain further insight into this town’s past.

In addition to the many preserved buildings, visitors can also take a short walk up from the ghost town and explore one of America’s best-maintained gold dredges – The Yankee Fork Gold Dredge. It is certainly worth seeing!

Bayhorse Ghost Town

Step back in time and explore the mining past of historic Bayhorse Ghost Town, one of the most well-preserved ghost towns in Idaho! Here visitors will uncover a range of sites such as charcoal kilns, cabins, a cemetery and even an old saloon – all near pristine Salmon River.

The Bayhorse Ghost Town, nestled beside Idaho’s Salmon River, was once home to miners who were on the hunt for gold and silver. When locals first established it in 1877, there weren’t many inhabitants – but when news spread of their mineral findings, residents began flocking in droves!

As the town expanded, so did its requirements. To make transportation of minerals easier, citizens constructed an aerial tramway to wagons. Unfortunately, tragedy struck a few years later when part of Bayhorse Ghost Town was set ablaze. Shortly after this incident there began a scarcity of water which further eroded the town’s population until it was deserted by the 1920s and never recovered from its devastation.

Cariboo City

Miners arrived at Cariboo Mountain on Sept. 8, 1870. Residents named the town after Jesse Fairchilds, better known as “Cariboo” Fairchilds, because of his work in the Cariboo mines in British Columbia. Most of the Cariboo Mountain mining camp burned down in 1885, and, sadly, it was never rebuilt. Even though very few structures remain, visitors can still explore the mining ruins.

Chesterfield Ghost Town

When exploring the numerous ghost towns of Idaho, you can often sense a peculiar and eerily spooky feeling. After all, that’s why they’re called “ghost” towns! Yet in spite of its title as an abandoned settlement, Chesterfield is surprisingly peaceful. Visiting this place is an experience unlike any other ghost town. Walking through the restored log cabins, constructed in 1881, you can feel a profound connection to the past and appreciate all of the care that went into creating this beloved community during its peak years.

Embark on an unforgettable journey back in time when you explore Chesterfield – the one-of-a-kind, forgotten town of Idaho. Come experience its captivating charm and be mesmerized by its alluring atmosphere!Venture through the past and explore a hidden gem in the Portneuf River Valley- Chesterfield. This historical city lies between Lava Hot Springs and Soda Springs on the Oregon Trail, allowing you to step back in time with its charming atmosphere.

In 1881, Mormon settlers chose to establish the town without prompting from Church authorities – a decision that was unique among many other Mormon settlements of the time.

Wickahoney Ghost Town Ruins

Idaho’s southwest corner is the perfect paradise for anyone seeking untamed beauty, from endless stretches of sagebrush and breathtaking basalt canyons. But in this region lies a forgotten secret — Wickahoney, an abandoned town that hides many stories within its ruins.

Although it may not seem so today, Wickahoney was once a flourishing stop along the route from Mountain Home, Idaho to Mountain City, Nevada. This path served as an important supply line for the mines in northern Nevada and saw many lively travelers pass through its quaint little station.

Thousands of adventurers traveled to Idaho dreaming of finding their fortune in the state’s booming mining industry. From these humble beginnings, entire towns were built – however, many eventually failed as miners moved on once gold and silver had been extracted from the ground. Today, all that remains are ghost towns like this one – testament to a bygone era when individuals risked everything for potential riches. Once a busy waypoint between booming mining settlements, Wickahoney is now nothing but crumbling remains left to the relentless march of time and nature.

Burke Ghost Town Wallace Idaho A True Mining Community

Take a short drive from the well-known town of Wallace a true mining community in North Idaho and you’ll find Burke Ghost Town. Although the Burke Road canyon has been declared polluted by the EPA, it remains a spectacular sight to behold. Unfortunately, some locals still call this place home despite its hazardous condition.

The ruins of this deserted town are absolutely remarkable. The structures still stand proud, and it’s easy to envision the city alive with activity in its heyday.Despite its quietness, the town of Burke is burdened by a painful past. Founded in 1887, it has endured immense grief throughout its existence.Through all of the trials and tribulations, such as labor disputes between miners and mine owners to natural disasters like avalanches or fires, Burke was a resilient town that endured for nearly one hundred years. Though only a few people live in this area today, visiting its picturesque ruins is an experience filled with reflection on days gone by.

Tips For Exploring Idaho Ghost Towns

When exploring the backcountry of Idaho it’s always a good idea to pack the 10 essentials and make sure you’re ready for an unexpected night over. You’ll likely have no cell service in these areas so getting help can take some time.

• When visiting Idaho’s ghost towns, remember to bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and a first aid kit. 
• Ghost towns usually consist of rough terrain, so wear hiking or athletic shoes. 
• Keep an eye on the little ones, kids and pets, as there can be some unmarked hazards around these old buildings
• Most importantly, have a blast and get your eyes on these treasures before they’re gone.

You may also enjoy: 45 Idaho Hot Springs Maps and Guides ​​10 Unforgettable Fire Lookout Rentals in Idaho 11 Incredible Day Trips From Boise, Idaho

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13 Ghost Towns In Idaho [MAP]

Last Updated on August 26, 2022 by Urbex Underground

If you’re searching for ghost towns in Idaho, we’ve got you covered! Below are 13 different ghost towns you can explore across the great state of Idaho along with their status and exact GPS coordinates.

We rate ghost towns in Idaho based on their status. Here’s how our system works:

• Abandoned: Is abandoned with ruins and structures in a decayed state. Great for urban explorers .
• Historic: Preservation efforts have been made and sometimes plaques installed. Great for everyone .
• Barren: Almost nothing remains of the town. Ideal for metal detectorists.
• Commercial: Is commercially owned with amenities, restaurants, and stores. Great for families .
• Semi-Abandoned : Abandoned areas with a small population in the area.
• Privately Owned: Tours might be available but not open to the general public.

1. Bayhorse

4. de lamar, 5. rocky bar, 6. white knob, 7. idaho city, 8. wallance, 9. silver city, 10. yankee fork, 11. bonanza, 13. placerville, the anarchist’s guide to exploration.

If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of urban exploration, this book is for you. Learn how to uncover more abandoned places and the techniques used to capture their beauty.

44.39761, -114.31311 Status: Abandoned

If you’re a fan of the Old West and mining, you may want to visit the ghost town of Bayhorse, located 14 miles southwest of Challis, Idaho. The town lies in the Salmon-Challis National Forest and is easily accessible by U.S. 93. Take Idaho State Road 75 south and turn left onto Bayhorse Creek Road. This road is three miles long and will take you to Bayhorse Creek Road. 

What’s Left?

You’ll be able to explore the abandoned buildings of Bayhorse while you’re here. Remember to pack plenty of water and snacks, sunscreen, and a first aid kit. The ghost town is surrounded by rugged terrain, so wear appropriate footwear and bring a camera to take pictures.

47.5209, -115.8167 Status: Abandoned

This small city was founded in 1887 and was once a bustling mining town. Unfortunately, the town started to decline in the middle of the 20th century when several mines closed.

The town was formerly a thriving mining community, but the mining industry dwindled and eventually closed the mines. Although there are remnants of mining, most buildings remain today. The Hecla Mining Company built these structures as livable spaces for miners. Even today, the abandoned town beckons visitors to come and explore. The historic downtown stretches more than three-quarters of a mile and is 300 feet wide.

Visitors to Burke can tour the remnants of the mining community. Historic markers and environmental restoration are a welcome addition to the city’s haunted past. Now, the town is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon, and is one of my favorite ghost towns in Idaho.

44.4588, -113.26974 Status: Abandoned

Gilmore was founded in 1873 and came to life after silver-lead ores were discovered. The town eventually ceased to exist in the 1930s when its power plant burned down.

Once a bustling mining town had a population of over 600. The town had a bank, post office, and mercantile. It even had a city park and a large school with seventy-one students in 1928. The town had a railroad that was built by hand in under a year. It carried ore across the Continental Divide while in use.

The ghost town is home to old buildings, mines, and mining equipment. If you are visiting the area, you can camp on the host’s property or nearby.

43.02432, -116.83151 Status: Abandoned

The town of De Lamar was originally a mining community, named for its founder, Joseph De Lamar. This community was thriving and prospered as silver was found in the nearby Owyhee Mountains. Once the mining boom subsided, the town’s residents started to move away. The second wave of abandonment came after World War I, when the price of silver dropped dramatically, severely damaging the silver industry.

The town is located in the southwest corner of Idaho, on the Owyhee mountain range. The town has a population of fewer than 300, and has many interesting buildings from the past. While the town has been vacant for decades, you can still find remnants of the original mining industry. Today, there are only a few structures left standing.

43.68906, -115.29008 Status: Abandoned

Founded in 1863, Rocky Bar once had a population of 2,500. After gold was discovered in nearby Feather River, residents flocked to the town. Hundreds of cabins and stamp mills were built in the area. The town burned down in the 1890s, but the ruins of buildings still remain. Originally, Rocky Bar was a possible Idaho Territory capital. The town can be found in the county of Featherville. Take North Pine Featherville Road to reach the town.

Today urban explorers can venture through town exploring many of the remaining homes and structures. Rocky Bar is one of the most isolated

43.89977, -114.68605 Status: Abandoned

This tiny town lies on the hill between Mackay, Idaho, and the White Knob Mountains. It is the perfect place to visit if you love history. While visiting the town, you’ll be able to explore a variety of historical and cultural sites. This small town was once a bustling center for mining and ranching but is now void of any modern activity.

There are several trailheads on the mountain that are accessible to hikers and mountain bikers. The trails are maintained by the Bureau of Land Management and are suitable for four-wheel-drive vehicles. If you’re not comfortable driving to remote places, consider renting a mountain bike and seeing the White Knob ghost town from above.

43.8285, -115.83455 Status: Commerical

Idaho City was originally named Bannock back during its inception in the late 1800s. Gold mining was a huge industry in the area. During the Civil War, Idaho was not immune to conflict and saw some of the county’s westernmost fighting.

More than $100 million was mined in the area, which is more than double the amount of gold found in neighboring California. After the gold rush, however, the population of Idaho City sank to less than 100.

Today, Idaho City is an easy day trip from Boise and is one of the most popular ghost towns in Idaho. It’s an easier drive than some of the more rural ghost towns on this list, making it a great quick exploration with the family.

47.47409, -115.92793 Status: Commercial

Wallace was founded after Colonel William Wallace built a cabin in the area in 1884. After the Civil War, he retired to explore different mining ventures around the area. News traveled quickly that Wallace was in a premium area for new prospecting, and by 1885 the town already had a general store, numerous homes, and several small businesses.

As the town grew Wallace was known for its “work hard play hard” culture. Miners would work hard all day, and then drink, gamble, and screw the night away. There were countless saloons and five brothels where over 60 women worked just to keep up with the vices of the town.

Wallace is one of the more “active” ghost towns in Idaho, with a population of around 800. Despite its residents, Wallace still has a lot to offer in terms of its history. Of all the ghost towns in Idaho, Wallace is by far my favorite “active” town.

43.01682, -116.73318 Status: Historic

In the late 19th century, Silver City, Idaho, was a thriving community. In addition to the local brewery and bottling plant, the town was home to millions of dollars in ore. The town’s population was as high as 400 people in 1865, with 125 businesses. Currently, the town has only a summer population of 12 people and a winter population of one.

At an elevation of 6,200 feet, Silver City receives between four and six feet of snow per year, making it quite inhospitable during the cold seasons. The town was one of the first towns in Idaho to be electrified, but the transmission lines were diverted to build the nearby Mountain Home Air Force Base.

Although the town began to decline after 1889, it still has a number of charming features, such as a white chapel and two general stores. There are even three cemeteries, with a third tucked away on the hill above Slaughterhouse Gulch

The old buildings in Silver City are in various states of disrepair and decay. There are several nearby mine dumps, and the old schoolhouse is still in use today as a gift shop.

Some of the better houses, like the Stoddard House with its ornate gingerbread trim, are used as summer cabins. In addition to the historic Idaho Hotel, Silver City was home to the state’s first telegraph service, and in 1874, a telegraph line was built from Winnemucca to Boise City.

44.2709, -114.73496 Status: Historic

In the heart of central Idaho, the town of Yankee Fork is a relic of the past. Its mining history was prominent, and three ghost towns are located here. The town was established in 1879, and is lined with buildings, including the General Custer Mill and China Town.

In 1896, the population was 600, but by 1911, the last mine closed and the town’s population sank. In 1990, the town was revived by the Land of the Yankee Fork Historical Association, which hosts events such as Custer Day, a mining history exhibit, and historical reenactments.

In the heart of central Idaho, the town of Yankee Fork is a relic of the past. Its mining history was prominent, and three ghost towns are located in the nearby area. Along the way, you can explore a 988-ton dredge, see a sandstone mountain, or simply take a scenic drive through the stunning countryside.

Be sure to check out the Yankee Fork Cemetery which is dotted with dozens of headstones and replacement wooden markers. One child’s grave is marked by a “cradle” fence, with a flower basket suspended from it.

44.37046, -114.72785 Status: Historic

In the early 1890s, Bonanza and Custer grew together, with the two towns sharing the same water supply and a water system. The towns grew together and were nearly two-to-one in population.

After two fires in 1889, many of the merchants in Bonanza relocated to Custer, making the two towns virtually the same size. Eventually, the town had a population of 600, but the waterworks and water system were in disrepair and firefighters couldn’t save much of the town when a fire broke out.

While the town is now vacant, you can see the remains of the buildings from the 1880s, including the famous Boot Hill cemetery. You can also visit a nearby mining town, Custer, which was founded near the Bonanza mine in 1878.

44.38741, -114.69591 Status: Historic

Custer was founded in 1879 by a group of gold prospectors hoping to strike it rich. Custer peaked at around 600 residents by the late 1800s. When significantly less gold was found in the region than expected the population dropped off. By 1910 the area was officially a ghost town.

Today the Custer is a part of the Challis National Park Forest and is maintained and protected by the park service. you can explore some of the original buildings, and check out some of the mining equipment.

43.94322, -115.94706 Status: Semi-Abandoned

The mining industry in the area began in the mid-1860s with placer workings and later transitioned to quartz mining. By 1864, a stamp mill was operating and there were hydraulic giants, too. The population decreased from around 2500 in 1864 to only 318 by the end of the century. In the early twentieth century, Chinese immigrants were allowed to work in less-profitable claims. They later started establishing laundries and restaurants.

Placerville in Idaho offers a number of activities. In addition to historic structures, Placerville offers two active museums. The Mercantile and the Placerville Museum tell the history of the town. The Mercantile is the first store in Placerville, and features an old jail cell. In the early days, criminals were prosecuted with unrelenting rope or deadly bullets.

Go out and explore!

That concludes our list of ghost towns in Idaho, but that doesn’t mean that’s all there is to find. Take the back roads, follow train tracks, and find some places for yourself. There are plenty of places I kept off this list so get out there and explore.

If you’re having trouble finding ghost towns be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Finding Abandoned Places , or explore other ghost towns across the country .

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