Ghost Town Etiquette: The Visitor's Code of Conduct

Why Etiquette Matters

Ghost towns are irreplaceable time capsules. Unlike restored historic sites, most ghost towns survive through benign neglect—and every visitor's actions either help preserve or hasten their decay. The rules aren't complicated, but they matter deeply.

"Take only photographs, leave only footprints, kill only time."

— The explorer's creed, adapted for ghost towns

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The 10 Commandments of Ghost Town Visiting

1. Never Take Artifacts—Period

It's tempting. That rusted nail, that purple glass bottle, that weathered board with hand-forged nails. But here's what happens when thousands of visitors each take "just one small thing":

• Bodie lost countless artifacts before becoming a state park
• Rhyolite has little left at ground level from decades of scavenging
• Private ghost towns have been stripped to foundations

Park rangers at Bodie receive packages nearly every day—artifacts returned by visitors convinced they've been cursed since taking them. Bad luck? Guilt? Doesn't matter. The point is: leave everything exactly where you found it.

#### Legal Consequences

2. Don't "Rearrange" for Photos

Photographers sometimes move objects for "better" compositions. This destroys:

• Historical context — Where something sits tells a story
• Archaeological evidence — Researchers study placement patterns
• Other visitors' experience — They deserve to see authenticity too

3. Stay on Marked Paths

Paths exist for two reasons:

• Your safety — Unmarked areas may hide hazards (mine shafts, unstable ground)
• Site preservation — Foot traffic damages fragile surfaces

4. Don't Enter Buildings Unless Explicitly Allowed

"But the door was open..."

Open doors don't mean open invitations. Most ghost town buildings are:

• Structurally unsound
• Off-limits for preservation
• Protected by law

5. Photograph Respectfully

• Photographing exteriors from public areas
• Shooting through windows from outside
• Using telephoto lenses for details
• Drone photography where specifically permitted

• Flash photography through glass (damages artifacts)
• Climbing on structures for "the shot"
• Staged photos with "props" (artifacts you've moved)
• Posting exact GPS coordinates of fragile sites

6. Leave No Trace (Literally)

Pack out everything you bring in:

• Food wrappers and bottles
• Cigarette butts (fire hazard too!)
• Photography equipment packaging
• Any and all trash

7. Control Pets and Children

• Leashes required at most sites
• Keep away from wildlife and fragile areas
• Clean up after them (pack out waste)
• Some sites prohibit pets entirely

• Supervise constantly near hazards
• Teach the rules before arrival
• Make it educational, not destructive
• Consider their endurance—short visits work best

8. Respect Other Visitors

Ghost towns should feel contemplative, even reverent. Help maintain that atmosphere:

• Keep voices low
• Don't monopolize photo spots
• Give space for others' experiences
• If playing music, use headphones

9. Verify Access Before Visiting

Many "ghost towns" are on private property. Visiting without permission is:

• Trespassing — A crime in all states
• Disrespectful — Landowners deal with trash, vandalism, and liability
• Unnecessary — Many owners grant permission if asked

• Check land ownership (BLM, Forest Service, private)
• Look for posted signs
• Ask locally (general stores, gas stations)
• Research online for visiting information

10. Report Vandalism and Theft

If you witness someone:

• Removing artifacts
• Spray-painting graffiti
• Damaging structures
• Digging for relics

• Park rangers (at protected sites)
• Local sheriff (on private/public land)
• BLM/Forest Service law enforcement

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Special Situations

Private Ghost Towns

Some ghost towns are privately owned but allow visitors. These often have:

• Entrance fees ($5-20 typical)
• Guided tours only
• Stricter rules than public sites
• Liability waivers to sign

Support these owners—they're preserving history at personal expense.

Active Archaeological Sites

Some ghost towns are being actively studied. If you encounter:

• Marked excavation areas
• Grid strings or flags
• Researchers at work

Ghost Towns on Native American Land

Many Western ghost towns sit on or near tribal lands. Additional considerations:

• Verify tribal policies before visiting
• Some areas require permits
• Cultural sites may be off-limits
• Respect is paramount

Cemeteries

Ghost town cemeteries deserve particular respect:

• Never walk on graves
• Don't do grave rubbings without permission
• Don't move headstones for photos
• Leave flowers if you wish, but nothing that won't decompose

What If Everyone Did What You're Doing?

The simplest ethical test: Would this ghost town survive if every visitor behaved like me?

• If you take one artifact, and 10,000 visitors take one artifact, the site is stripped.
• If you walk through one building, and 10,000 visitors walk through it, the floor collapses.
• If you leave one piece of trash, times 10,000... you get the picture.

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The Reward for Doing It Right

When everyone follows these guidelines, ghost towns remain:

• Authentic — Unchanged from how abandonment left them
• Atmospheric — Undisturbed by modern intrusion
• Available — Open for decades more of visitors
• Alive — The past preserved in physical form

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