Get Quartz in your inbox

Free daily briefing on global business news.

The 10 coolest ghost towns in the U.S. to visit, ranked

From a Colorado town that birthed women's suffrage rights to a Nevada saloon where Clark Gable waited out a divorce, America's coolest ghost towns

Drew Hastings / Unsplash

While the term ghost town might sound like a village haunted by spirits, it actually refers to an old, abandoned city. America’s western states are full of these towns, many founded during the mining boom of the late 1800s to serve as home bases for miners. Today, these historically significant areas memorialize the once-bustling populations that lived there and let visitors discover a past filled with mystery, legends, and folklore.

Each town below carries its own distinct history, whether tied to a specific mineral rush, a notorious outlaw, or a pivotal moment in American political history.

The 10 ghost towns below appear on U.S. News, covering America’s coolest ghost towns to visit. They span Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, Nevada, Arizona, Kentucky, Wyoming, California, and Utah, giving travelers a genuine cross-section of frontier history spread across the American West and beyond. Mining ties most of these towns together, whether gold, silver, or copper drew the original settlers, though each site also carries its own particular claim to fame beyond the mineral rush that built it. South Pass City holds genuine political significance tied to women’s suffrage, while Goodsprings carries a Hollywood ghost story and Frisco earned a reputation as one of the most violent towns of its era. Accommodations near each site vary considerably too, from rustic pioneer cabins and campgrounds to full-service hotels in nearby towns, giving visitors plenty of flexibility depending on how rustic or comfortable they’d like their overnight stay to be. Admission costs also vary widely, from free honor-system donations at some sites to modest fees at others, so a full weekend of ghost town hopping remains affordable for most budget travelers, even when factoring in fuel and lodging.

1. St. Elmo preserves wooden storefronts near Aspen

Rolf Blauert / Wikimedia Commons

St. Elmo, located less than 83 miles southeast of Aspen, Colorado, ranks as one of the state’s best-preserved ghost towns. Formed in 1880 for miners in search of gold and silver, the town’s final residents supposedly took the last train out in 1922 and never returned. Visitors can reach St. Elmo by car or all-terrain vehicle to see several wooden storefronts, including the general store, and renting a log cabin makes for a fitting mountain getaway. The infamous town of Tin Cup, Colorado, known for its ties to shady Wild West outlaws and a spooky town cemetery, also sits nearby.

This blend of accessibility and genuine period authenticity sets St. Elmo apart from ghost towns requiring a lengthy hike or specialized vehicle just to reach the site.

Travelers $TRV -0.25% hoping to make a full day of the visit should plan a stop at Tin Cup afterward, since the two towns sit close enough together to pair naturally within a single trip through the region.

Visitors hoping to experience St. Elmo without crowds should aim for a weekday visit, since the town’s easy access from Aspen makes it a popular weekend destination during peak summer months.

This pairing of preserved architecture and easy access gives St. Elmo real standing as one of Colorado’s most rewarding ghost towns for a day trip from Aspen. Travelers driving standard vehicles instead of an ATV should check road conditions ahead of time, since certain stretches leading into town can grow rough enough to challenge a typical passenger car. This small check saves a lot of frustration compared with turning back partway through the drive. It also spares tires and undercarriages from unnecessary wear on the rougher stretches. This matters most in spring and early summer, when melting snow tends to soften dirt roads. Checking a local road report before setting out helps avoid an unexpected turnaround partway there. A quick call to a local ranger station usually settles the question in a few minutes.

2. Nevada City reenacts gold rush life each summer

Judy Beth Morris / Unsplash

Nevada City, a ghost town situated roughly 90 miles northwest of Yellowstone National Park, offers a fitting pit stop while touring Montana’s blue skies and breathtaking scenery. The restored former gold-mining town boasts many original log structures alongside a collection of antique music boxes, player pianos, and calliopes. Admission starts at $10 for adults and $8 for kids ages 4 to 11, with younger travelers admitted for free, though weekends run a few dollars extra per person.

During a visit, travelers can pan for gold, watch live reenactments of past events, and take a roughly 15-minute train ride between Nevada City and Virginia City, Montana. Overnight stays are possible in an authentic pioneer cabin or at the historic Nevada City Hotel, a former 1860s stage stop. The site operates only from Memorial Day to Labor Day, so travelers should plan accordingly.

This mix of hands-on activities and genuine historic lodging sets Nevada City apart from ghost towns offering little beyond a self-guided walk through empty buildings.

Visitors hoping to catch a live reenactment should check the schedule before arriving, since these events run at set times throughout the day instead of continuously.

This pairing of interactive programming and authentic overnight lodging gives Nevada City real standing as one of Montana’s most immersive ghost town experiences. Families hoping to ride the train between Nevada City and Virginia City should arrive early, since seating fills up quickly during the busiest........

© Quartz