7 Must-Visit Ghost Towns in the United States

Once sister city to the still-bustling Atlantic City, Miner’s Delight in Wyoming is a shadow of its former self. The town prospered in the 19th century when gold was discovered in the area. The town was abandoned around 1960 and, today, only several buildings remain, including cabins, a saloon, a cellar, a shop/barn and meat house. © Mkopka | Dreamstime.com

After a vein of gold was uncovered in the Bodie Hills in 1876, people flocked to the region and established Bodie, a California mining town. However, by 1915, the town was already described as a ghost town as miners relocated to other destinations pursuing jobs and gold. The last Bodie mine shut down in 1942. The town today is a National Historic Landmark, preserved in a state of arrested decay, operated by Bodie Foundation. © Miroslav Liska | Dreamstime.com

Arguably more of a “living ghost town” than an actual ghost town on account of its 12 residents as of 2023, Liberty, Washington, like many other ghost towns, emerged after gold was found in the area. Visitors to the town today will find a hotel and boarding house, as well as a grocery store dating back to the 1890s. The town is also home to a 19th-century butcher shop, log house and stage office. © Clovercity | Dreamstime.com

In the Calico Mountains of the Mojave Desert in Southern California sits Calico, a former silver mining town. At its height, Calico had more than 500 mines. Walter and Cordelia Knott, founders of Knott’s Berry Farm, purchased Calico to restore the town to look how it did during the silver rush era. The park today operates gunfight stunt shows, gold panning, mine tours, a train, stores and restaurants. © Randomshots | Dreamstime.com

Founded in 1893, Goldfield, Arizona, was abandoned not once, but twice by its residents throughout its history. After being deserted for a second time in 1926, the town fell into decay before being purchased and revived to become a tourist attraction. The town has the only 3-foot narrow gauge railroad in operation in the state, as well as a bakery, brothel, jail, livery and leather works. © Printezis | Dreamstime.com

At its peak, nearly 2,000 people called St. Elmo, Colorado, home. The town emerged amidst the gold and silver rushes and is considered one of Colorado’s best-preserved ghost towns. Despite its name, Saint Elmo is still technically inhabited, but the town is a popular tourist site thanks to a campground, general store, mining roads now open for off-road vehicles and nearby Chalk Creek for fishing. © Kylie Dingman | Dreamstime.com

Bannack, Montana, was founded in 1862 after a major gold discovery, booming to a population of 10,000. The town is very remote, connected only by the Montana Trail. At its height, the town had three hotels, three bakeries, two meat markets, a grocery store, brewery, billiard hall and four saloons. Now a state park, Bannack’s history is preserved in 60 remaining structures, all open to visitors. © Sue Smith | Dreamstime.com