There’s something hauntingly beautiful about ghost towns. These once-booming settlements — abandoned in the wake of gold rushes, railroad closures, or changing economies — are frozen in time. But not all ghost towns are crumbling relics. Across the United States, many have found a second life, transformed into quirky, atmospheric travel destinations filled with stories, scenery, and sometimes even surprises like gourmet food and thriving art scenes.
From the windswept deserts of the Southwest to the rugged mountains of the Pacific Northwest, these ghost towns offer more than spooky aesthetics — they invite travelers to dig deep into America’s forgotten past and witness how history, when preserved with purpose, can attract a new wave of visitors.
Here’s a guide to the most fascinating ghost towns in the U.S. that are now worth the journey.
1. Jerome, Arizona
Once a: Mining Boomtown | Now: A Bohemian Artist Enclave
Perched precariously on Cleopatra Hill overlooking Arizona’s Verde Valley, Jerome was once known as the “Wickedest Town in the West.” At its peak in the 1920s, it had a population of 15,000 — along with saloons, brothels, and constant mining drama. When the copper ran dry, Jerome nearly vanished.
Today, it thrives as a historic artists’ colony with restored buildings, ghost tours, and boutique hotels. The streets are steep and narrow, the buildings beautifully weathered, and the town embraces its eerie charm with open arms.
What to Do:
- Explore the Jerome State Historic Park, housed in a former mansion
- Stay at the famously haunted Jerome Grand Hotel
- Visit the countless art galleries, wine tasting rooms, and shops
Why Visit: Jerome is a ghost town with soul — still edgy, creative, and gloriously weird.
2. Bodie, California
Once a: Gold Rush Boomtown | Now: A State Historic Park
Bodie is the textbook definition of a ghost town — remote, windswept, and eerily well-preserved. In the late 1800s, it was a gold-mining metropolis with over 60 saloons, gambling halls, and a reputation for lawlessness. By the 1940s, it was abandoned.
Now protected as a California State Historic Park, Bodie is kept in a state of “arrested decay,” meaning buildings are maintained but not restored. You can peer into homes with furniture still in place, schoolrooms with chalk on the board, and shops with dusty shelves.
What to Do:
- Wander through the 100+ buildings left standing
- Take a guided tour of the Standard Stamp Mill
- Capture hauntingly beautiful photography
Why Visit: It’s a rare chance to experience a true ghost town untouched by commercialism.
3. Terlingua, Texas
Once a: Mercury Mining Camp | Now: A Desert Destination with an Edge
On the edge of Big Bend National Park, Terlingua is a ghost town that has reinvented itself as a rugged outpost for adventure seekers, artists, and off-grid wanderers. In the early 1900s, it was a thriving cinnabar (mercury ore) mining town. Today, it’s a funky desert escape.
Adobe ruins blend with eclectic cafes, music venues, and offbeat lodging options. The town hosts an annual chili cook-off that draws thousands, and it’s the perfect base for exploring Big Bend’s dramatic terrain.
What to Do:
- Visit the Terlingua Ghost Town Cemetery — especially at sunset
- Stay in a restored miner’s cabin or a vintage trailer
- Dine at Starlight Theatre, a saloon-turned-restaurant with live music
Why Visit: It’s part outlaw nostalgia, part desert freedom, and completely unforgettable.
4. Rhyolite, Nevada
Once a: Gold Mining Town | Now: An Open-Air Art Gallery
Rhyolite boomed and busted fast — founded in 1904 and nearly empty by 1916. What’s left are hauntingly cinematic ruins: a bank with only its stone facade, a train depot, and the famous three-story Cook Bank building.
What makes Rhyolite unique is its proximity to the quirky Goldwell Open Air Museum, where ghostly sculptures, including a full-size “Last Supper,” dot the desert landscape.
What to Do:
- Explore the ruins scattered around the old townsite
- Visit the Goldwell Open Air Museum and nearby Beatty
- Bring a camera for striking desert photography
Why Visit: Where else can you find haunting ruins and surreal art installations under Nevada skies?
5. St. Elmo, Colorado
Once a: Silver Mining Community | Now: A Preserved Mountain Town
Tucked in Colorado’s Sawatch Range, St. Elmo is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the Rockies. Founded in the 1880s, it prospered until the silver bust. But rather than rot away, it was carefully maintained.
Today, St. Elmo feels like a Wild West movie set, complete with a general store, former saloons, and cabins you can rent. Ghost stories abound, especially around the old hotel. In summer, ATV riders and hikers make this a bustling seasonal escape.
What to Do:
- Feed chipmunks at the General Store
- Hike to Alpine Tunnel or Mount Princeton Hot Springs
- Photograph the antique storefronts under alpine skies
Why Visit: It’s a ghost town that still lives — without losing its historical integrity.
6. Garnet, Montana
Once a: Gold Mining Camp | Now: A Hidden Gem of the West
If you’re looking for peace and solitude with a rich backstory, Garnet is your place. Located in the forested hills of western Montana, it was once home to around 1,000 miners. When the gold dried up, the town faded into obscurity.
Unlike more touristy ghost towns, Garnet remains quiet and authentic. It’s managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and much of the town is in remarkable condition. Some say it’s still haunted — especially in winter, when the silence is nearly complete.
What to Do:
- Tour the preserved cabins and mining buildings
- Explore the nearby Garnet Range for hiking and wildlife watching
- Visit in winter for cross-country skiing to the ghost town
Why Visit: A true off-the-beaten-path experience in pristine nature.
7. Calico, California
Once a: Silver Mining Hub | Now: A Family-Friendly Historic Park
Calico is a rare example of a ghost town turned theme park — and it’s done with care. Founded in 1881, it became a silver-mining powerhouse before going bust in the 1890s. In the 1950s, Walter Knott (of Knott’s Berry Farm) restored it and opened it as a historic attraction.
While some purists prefer untouched ghost towns, Calico offers a blend of fun and education. There’s a narrow-gauge railroad, recreated saloons, and mine tours. It’s ideal for families looking to spark a love of history.
What to Do:
- Take the Calico Odessa Railroad tour
- Pan for gold with kids
- Shop for souvenirs in Western-themed stores
Why Visit: Educational and entertaining, with just enough spookiness to keep it real.
8. Goldfield, Nevada
Once a: Gold Mining Capital | Now: A Spooky Western Road Trip Stop
Goldfield was once the largest city in Nevada, with over 20,000 residents during its 1906 heyday. Today, it’s a semi-ghost town with a handful of full-time residents, a Wild West feel, and some truly bizarre roadside attractions.
The decaying Goldfield Hotel is the centerpiece — long rumored to be haunted and featured on multiple paranormal shows. You’ll also find art cars, antique shops, and desert oddities scattered through town.
What to Do:
- Snap photos of the Goldfield Hotel
- Visit the International Car Forest of the Last Church
- Take a haunted tour, if you’re brave enough
Why Visit: A surreal stop with Wild West grit and creative desert weirdness.
Why Ghost Towns Are Trending Among Travelers
There’s a growing fascination with forgotten places — especially those that offer solitude, mystery, and authenticity. Ghost towns capture the imagination because they reflect the fragility of human ambition and the power of nature to reclaim what’s left behind.
But they also offer something more: a stage where history plays out without scripts. You can stand where miners once toiled, dine where saloons once roared, and sleep under stars that saw it all unfold. Whether you’re an amateur historian, an urban explorer, or just someone craving a different kind of escape, ghost towns deliver that rare feeling of being somewhere truly different.
Tips for Visiting Ghost Towns
- Check Accessibility: Many ghost towns are remote and may require 4WD or seasonal access.
- Pack Water and Supplies: Services can be limited, especially in lesser-developed towns.
- Respect the Past: Don’t take artifacts or disturb buildings — preservation keeps the magic alive.
- Embrace the Quiet: The silence is part of the experience. Let it sink in.
Final Thoughts
Ghost towns aren’t just relics — they’re reminders. They remind us that civilizations rise and fall, that nature always has the last word, and that even in decay, there’s immense beauty.
By exploring these transformed ghost towns, you’re not only stepping into America’s past — you’re helping keep it alive.
In another related article, American Towns That Feel Like a Step Back in Time — Where History Still Lives
