The United States is home to many ghost towns, each with its own unique history, atmosphere and weird vibes. In the past, I've visited a few ghost town just outside of National Parks in both Arizona and Utah. Here are some of the top ghost towns I wish to visit.
1. Bodie, California
History: Bodie is one of the most famous ghost towns in the U.S. It was a booming gold mining town in the late 1800s, with a population that reached around 10,000. By the early 20th century, the town was in decline, and it was abandoned in the 1940s.
What to See: Bodie is now a State Historic Park, preserved in a state of "arrested decay." Visitors can explore the town's well-preserved buildings, including the schoolhouse, church, saloons, and homes, many of which still contain original furnishings and artifacts.
Know Before You Go: If it's snowing around Bishop, CA please do not even attempt to go to Bodie as your car might get stuck. I was told by a woman in the Bishop Visitor's Center that it can take months to get a car rescued from the area. My two brothers and I attempted to visit in late March. We turned around and were told it was a dumb move to try driving the snowy dirt road. My goal is to eventually visit Bodie in the dryer months!
Bodie Hero Photo Credit: Marc-Lautenbacher, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
2. Virginia City, Nevada
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| Photo Credit: Alvi via Creative Commons License |
History: Virginia City was the site of the famous Comstock Lode, the first major silver deposit discovery in the U.S., which led to a silver rush in the 1860s. The town was once a bustling center of wealth and culture.
What to See: Today, Virginia City is a living ghost town, with many of its historic buildings preserved and open to the public. Visitors can tour the old mines, visit museums, and explore the town's wooden sidewalks and saloons.
3. Custer, Idaho
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| Photo Credit: Jon Roanhaus via Creative Commons License |
History: Custer was founded in 1879 during Idaho's gold rush and quickly grew into a thriving mining town. The town's decline began after the gold supply dwindled in the early 20th century, leading to its eventual abandonment.
What to See: Custer is now part of the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park, with many original structures still standing, including the schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, and several homes. Visitors can take self-guided tours to learn about the town's history.
4. Terlingua, Texas
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| Photo Credit: National Register of Historic Places via Creative Commons |
History: Terlingua was a mercury mining town in the late 1800s and early 1900s. After the demand for mercury declined, the town was largely abandoned by the 1940s.
What to See: Terlingua has experienced a revival as a tourist destination, with its historic ruins, old cemetery, and annual chili cook-off attracting visitors. The ghost town is located near Big Bend National Park, making it a great stop for travelers.
5. Rhyolite, Nevada
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| Photo Credit: Gedstrom, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons |
History: Rhyolite was founded in 1905 during a gold rush and quickly grew into one of Nevada's largest towns. However, the town declined just as rapidly after the gold was depleted, and by 1916, it was abandoned.
What to See: Rhyolite is known for its ruins, including the remains of the three-story Cook Bank building, the old train station, and a house made entirely of glass bottles. Nearby, you'll find the Goldwell Open Air Museum, an outdoor sculpture park.
6. Centralia, Pennsylvania
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| Photo Credit: formulanone from Huntsville, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons |
History: Centralia was a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania. In 1962, a coal seam beneath the town caught fire, leading to an underground blaze that still burns today. The fire forced the town's evacuation, and only a few residents remain.
What to See: While most of Centralia's buildings have been demolished, visitors come to see the eerie, smoke-emitting ground and the famous "Graffiti Highway," a section of road covered in colorful graffiti (though it has since been buried for safety reasons).
7. St. Elmo, Colorado
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| Photo Credit: Dariusz Kowalczyk, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons |
History: St. Elmo was a bustling gold and silver mining town in the late 1800s, with a population of around 2,000. The town declined after the mines closed in the early 20th century.
What to See: St. Elmo is one of Colorado's best-preserved ghost towns, with many original buildings still standing, including the general store, schoolhouse, and several homes. The town is located in a scenic area of the Rocky Mountains, making it a popular destination for photographers.
8. Cahawba, Alabama
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| Photo Credit: Jeffrey Reed, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons |
History: Cahawba (or Cahaba) was Alabama's first state capital from 1820 to 1826. After the capital moved, the town slowly declined, and it was eventually abandoned after the Civil War and frequent flooding.
What to See: Cahawba is now an archaeological park where visitors can explore the ruins of the old town, including the foundations of buildings, streets, and the eerie remnants of a once-thriving river port.
9. Kennecott, Alaska
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| Photo Credit: Sewtex, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons |
History: Kennecott was a copper mining town in the early 1900s. The town was abandoned after the mine was depleted in 1938.
What to See: The town is now part of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, where visitors can explore the impressive remains of the mine buildings, including the massive Kennecott Mill, which is one of the most photographed ghost town sites in Alaska.
10. Calico, California
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| Photo Credit: Pierre André, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons |
History: Calico was a silver mining town founded in 1881. At its peak, it had around 500 mines. The town was abandoned in the 1890s after silver lost its value.
What to See: Calico has been restored and operates as a ghost town tourist attraction. Visitors can tour the old mines, visit restored buildings, and experience what life was like in a 19th-century mining town. It’s also known for its ghost stories and paranormal activity.
These ghost towns offer a look into America's past and are destinations for history buffs, photographers, and adventurers alike.
Have you been to any of these ghost towns? Let me know in the comments!
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Trip Resources
If you’re planning a road trip, here are some helpful sites that I use. Note, below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission for every booking, with no extra cost to you. Thanks so much, in advance!
Booking.com - Anytime we need a rental car, we use this site to find deals.
Expedia.com - I like to use this site to explore upcoming cruises that I'd like to take. I also refer to it to compare hotel prices, flights, and car rentals.
GetYourGuide.com - Book things to do, attractions, tours and discover new food.
VRBO.com - When we’re not staying in an AIRBNB, we’re in a VRBO rental. We use this option when we want to enjoy a full house with individual bedrooms, a kitchen, backyard and other amenities.
TripAdvisor.com - Anytime I want reputable reviews, tips, and overall advice about a vacation area, I leverage this site.
Viator.com - Looking for cool tours in your vacation area? This site has a number of options.
Hey, I'm Christy Scronce, a Filipina-American Los Angeles native and travel enthusiast. I love visiting new places and trying new food. Welcome to my adventure blog where I capture both State & National Park visits, family excursions, and road trips, while sharing my travel photos and recaps. My goal is to visit as many National Parks using my “America the Beautiful” annual pass. 
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