The 5 Best Ghost Towns to Visit in 2023

Ghost towns are abandoned settlements that were once thriving communities but have since been deserted, often due to economic or natural disasters. These eerie, abandoned places are a window into the past, offering a glimpse into what life was like in a different time and place. If you’re interested in visiting ghost towns, there are plenty of great options to choose from in the United States. Here are some of the best ghost towns to visit in America:

1. Bodie, California: Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Bodie was a gold mining town that was founded in 1859. At its peak, the town had a population of around 10,000 people and over 2,000 buildings. However, as the gold mines dried up, so did the town’s prosperity. By the 1940s, Bodie was a ghost town, with only a handful of residents remaining. Today, Bodie is a popular tourist attraction and is maintained in a state of “arrested decay,” with many of the original buildings still standing.

The majority of Bodie, CA seen in one photo

2. St. Elmo, Colorado: Located in the San Juan Mountains, St. Elmo was a mining town that was founded in 1880. At its peak, the town had over 2,000 residents, multiple hotels, stores, and even a school. However, as the mining industry declined, so did the town. By the 1950s, St. Elmo was a ghost town, with only a few residents remaining. Today, the town is a popular tourist attraction, with many of the original buildings still standing.

St. Elmo, CO and its picturesque backdrop

3. Calico, California: Located in the Mojave Desert, Calico was a silver mining town that was founded in 1881. At its peak, the town had a population of around 1,200 people and was home to multiple hotels, stores, and even a school. However, as the silver mines played out, Calico’s population began to decline. By the 1920s, the town was a ghost town. Today, Calico has been restored and is a popular tourist attraction, with many of the original buildings still standing.

Calico, CA is one of the most visited ghost towns today

4. Rhyolite, Nevada: Located in the Mojave Desert, Rhyolite was a gold mining town that was founded in 1904. At its peak, the town had a population of around 10,000 people and was home to numerous hotels, stores, and even a stock exchange. However, as the gold mines played out, Rhyolite’s population began to decline. By 1920, the town was a ghost town. Today, Rhyolite is a popular tourist attraction, with many of the original buildings still standing.

A 1906 photo of Rhyolite, Nevada

5. Kennecott, Alaska: Located in the Copper River Valley, Kennecott was a copper mining town that was founded in 1906. At its peak, the town had a population of around 2,000 people and was home to multiple hotels, stores, and even a hospital. However, as the copper mines played out, Kennecott’s population began to decline. By 1938, the town was a ghost town. Today, Kennecott is a popular tourist attraction, with many of the original buildings still standing.

Kennecott, Alaska — commonly referred to as a town at the end of the world

There are many other great ghost towns to visit in the United States, including Centralia, Pennsylvania; Fort Jefferson, Florida; and Terlingua, Texas. No matter where you go, you’re sure to have a unique and interesting experience exploring these abandoned settlements and learning about the history of these once-thriving communities.

Terlingua, TX is experiencing a massive boom yet again due to visitors’ desire to see Big Bend National Park, and experience some of the best stargazing opportunities on planet earth. Photos like this still don’t do it justice!

If you want to visit one of the aforementioned ghost towns, you will soon be able to stay at one of our properties in Terlingua, Texas. In fact, you’ll even have the opportunity to invest into one of these properties in 2023!