Creepy Cool Abandoned Ghost Towns That Are Actually Worth Visiting
- Written by
- On Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Once thriving boomtowns, the U.S. is dotted with ghost towns that stand as near whispers of what they once were. When everyone was chasing the riches of America and the wild West, towns were erected nearly overnight with pioneers flocking to surrounding untapped wealth.
But what used to be bustling mining towns have since dried up of residents as well as riches, and in their place we find eerie ghost towns that leave us with a trace of what once was. The ultimate time capsules, these abandoned towns now offer visitors a peek into the history of our country with a side of haunted houses and intriguing ghost stories.
So whether you’re a history buff, enthusiast of the occult, or merely searching for an affordable (yet unique!) vacation, here are five creepy cool abandoned ghost towns in the U.S. that are actually worth visiting.
St. Elmo, Colorado
Image source: colorado.com
According to the website, St. Elmo is the most original ghost town in Colorado with its population quite literally catching the last train out of town. Founded in 1880 after the discovery of gold and silver in the area, it was a hub town for train supplies until even the railroad tracks themselves were abandoned in 1922.
In town now you will find a general store with antiques and souvenirs, as well as a guest house where you can spend the night - that is if you’re not too much of a yellow bellied coward!
Kennecott, Alaska
Image source: nps.gov
Made famous by the Kennecott Copper Mine, this ghost town is located within the country’s largest National Park, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Known for its high concentration of volcanoes and glaciers, if you can make it out to this ghost town, it’s worth it for the stunning views alone. Hidden in the mountains of Alaska, deep within the forest, you’ll need a seriously good off-roading vehicle to get to the copper mine.
The story begins after copper was discovered in 1900 within the area and a group of investors decided to mine the mountains above the Kennecott. The town processed nearly $200 million worth of copper until the late 1930s, but it was abruptly abandoned in 1938, and becoming completely deserted by the 1950s.
The mine tour is worth taking, and you can also hike nearby on the Root Glacier. Although it’s far off the beaten path, it’s worth the trek!
Bodie, California
One of the largest ghost towns in the west, Bodie is a state historic park preserved from the California gold rush. Not only can you book a ghost tour within the city, you can visit nearly 200 abandoned buildings where everything from full dinner table set ups to bottles of whiskey have been left onsite.
Once a booming town of 10,000+ residents during the gold rush, it now resembles the set of a horror film or an episode of WestWorld. Rivaling the population of Los Angeles in its time, Bodie was established in 1859 and abandoned to decay by 1942 when the mine shut down. Located near Yosemite National Park, it's a can’t-miss on your tour of decaying ghost towns.
Virginia City, Montana
Virginia City’s biggest claim to fame is as the former home of frontierswoman Calamity Jane. A remote town with little law enforcement, the town was run rampant with robberies, murderers, gangs, and outlaws. In fact, 100 people were killed between 1863 and 1864 alone by highwaymen and the like. Growing to a population of 10,000 and serving as the capital of the Montana territory for a time, the Victorian-era town is now just a wrinkle in time.
Today you can take a walking tour of this Montana city, ride the scenic railway, visit the old fire truck, or drink a sarsaparilla in Jane’s honor at any of the many bars in town.
Dawson, New Mexico
Image source: newmexico.org
Reserved for ghost hunters and the truly morbid, Dawson, New Mexico is one of the most haunted places in America today. Founded in 1901 by the Dawson Fuel Co, there were three different devastating coal mine explosions that decimated the local immigrant population. The final in 1923 killed 120 men and shattered the once thriving community.
The last coal mine in the area closed in 1950 and the city itself was left to decay, the only landmark left behind being the Dawson Cemetery, housing over 400 lives lost in the mine explosions. So if you’re hoping for a ghost sighting, then you just might find it in Dawson where visitors have reported hearing moans and voices, seeing mining helmets dancing, and distant figures looming.
Wherever your ghost town tour takes you, enjoy the look back into American history!
For more ideas on what to do and where to explore, check out all of our Stories + Articles.
