Top 5 Ghost Towns in the USA

The ghost towns of the American West hold a special fascination for travelers seeking authenticity and history. Silent witnesses to the gold rush and the broken dreams of pioneers, these "Ghost Towns" offer a striking plunge into the tumultuous past of the United States.

From the majestic Bodie in California to the mysterious remains of Rhyolite in Nevada, each of these destinations tells a unique story.

Discover our selection of 5 must-see ghost towns to enhance your itinerary in the American West!

5. Animas Forks

The town, founded in 1873, is located 19 kilometers northeast of the city of Silverton, Colorado.

The first prospectors built their log cabins here to mine, and 10 years later, 450 people lived there.

At the time, the town was called "Three Forks of the Animas" because three rivers met there. The US Postal Service later simplified the name to "Animas Forks".

Located at nearly 3,413 meters in altitude, Animas Forks holds the record as the highest ghost town in Colorado. The conditions there were especially harsh:

• Harsh winters: Most miners left in the fall and wouldn't return until the following spring
• Total isolation for several months
• Frequent avalanches constantly threatening residents
• Extreme temperatures that could drop well below -30°C

4. Rhyolite

Rhyolite is located in the state of Nevada, between the East entrance of Death Valley National Park and the city of Beatty.

It first appeared in 1904 during the gold rush era, and at its peak around 1908, it is said that up to 10,000 people could have lived there.

The town developed around the Montgomery Shoshone Mine, which produced exceptionally rich silver ore worth $16,000 per ton at the time. This sudden prosperity attracted investors like steel magnate Charles M. Schwab, who bought the mine in 1906.

Rhyolite had impressive infrastructure for a desert town:

• 3 railroad lines serving the town
• An opera house, theaters, and luxurious hotels with electricity
• A school, a hospital, and a stock exchange
• Concrete sidewalks and electric lighting
• Telephone and telegraph lines

If you visit Rhyolite today, you’ll find several remnants from its glory days, such as some walls from the three-story bank, part of the old jail, the Bottle House made mostly of beer bottles, and the train station, which is almost perfectly preserved.

3. Tombstone

Located in southern Arizona about 50 kilometers from Mexico, the city of Tombstone welcomes about 400,000 visitors every year.

What was once one of the deadliest cities in the United States developed in the 19th century thanks to silver mines, but the population quickly declined in the 20th century due to resource scarcity.

Today, it’s said that Tombstone is "too tough to die," and it’s easy to see why as you wander its lively streets.

You'll truly feel like you are reliving its heyday and being in the Far West, with its people dressed in period costumes, wooden sidewalks, perfectly preserved historic buildings, and streets where only horses and horse-drawn carriages can circulate.

The small cemetery is particularly worth a visit, with tombstone inscriptions that reveal much about the city’s history, which was the site of the famous OK Corral shootout in 1881.

2. Calico Ghost Town

Located near Barstow in California in the Mojave Desert, Calico is a former mining town founded in 1881 during the silver rush.

If you’re driving Route 66 between Kingman and Los Angeles, it’s a must-see!

At its peak, the town had more than 500 silver mines and produced nearly $20 million worth of ore over a 12-year period.

At that time, there were several businesses, including hotels, and the town even had its own newspaper, the "Calico Print".

When the price of silver ore collapsed in the mid-1890s, the population began to desert the town and it was completely abandoned in 1907.

The town was bought in the 1950s by a certain Walter Knott, who, after restoring the remaining buildings according to historical photos, made it a tourist site.

It is therefore possible to visit the town by paying an entrance fee, and you should know that only a few buildings are original, including the General Store, the Town Office, Lil's Saloon, Joe's Saloon, Smitty's Gallery, and the Home of Lucy Lane. A must-see during a California road trip.

1. Bodie: the Most Beautiful Ghost Town in California

Located in California in Mono County, Bodie is certainly the "queen" of ghost towns in the USA and it even has its own Facebook page!

It stands out from other abandoned towns because it has truly remained frozen in time. It can still be found today just as it was before it was abandoned, and since then, it’s said that nothing has changed.

It was discovered in 1859 by William S. Bodey, who found gold nearby. The first mill was built there in 1861, and from that moment on, the town began to flourish.

The population rose from 20 workers to about 10,000 people by 1880, making Bodie the second largest city in California after San Francisco. At its peak, the town had some impressive infrastructure:

• 65 saloons and numerous houses of "ill repute"
• 2 banks and a railroad line
• Schools, a hospital, and even a theater
• Gaming halls and opium dens
• A prison to contain the many outlaws

There were families, thieves, miners, business owners, bandits, prostitutes, and people from all over the world. In total, the mines of Bodie produced $34 million worth of gold ore.

Its inhabitants gradually left as the gold veins were slowly depleted and after several major fires in the 1930s.

If you’re traveling in the area, you can freely visit the town of Bodie as it is open year-round. However, it’s recommended to go in summer as the road is often closed in winter. Today, 110 buildings are still standing and perfectly preserved as part of Bodie State Historic Park.

Top 5 Ghost Towns to Visit in the Western USA – Quick Guide

These 5 ghost towns of the American West offer you an authentic journey into the history of pioneers and the gold rush. From the mysterious Animas Forks perched at over 3,400 meters altitude to the fascinating remains of Rhyolite, via the unmissable Bodie frozen in time, each destination tells a unique story of the Wild West.

Whether you’re on a road trip on Route 66 or exploring the national parks of California and Nevada, these ghost towns are must-see stops to understand the soul of the American West. Allow enough time for each: the fascinating anecdotes and authentic remnants are worth your attention.

Practical tip: Plan your visits by the season. Some, like Animas Forks or Bodie, can be inaccessible in winter due to weather conditions. It’s best to visit between May and October to fully enjoy the experience.

These silent witnesses of the past guarantee unforgettable memories and spectacular photos. So, are you ready to travel back in time and follow in the footsteps of the gold seekers?