Ghost Towns in Arizona
26 documented ghost towns
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History
Arizona has over 275 documented ghost towns. Copper, silver, and gold mining created boomtowns that went bust when ore ran out.
Regions: Sonoran Desert • High Desert • Mountains
All Ghost Towns
Bisbee
Bisbee was the 'Queen of Copper Camps' - once the largest city between St. Louis and San Francisco. Now an arts community lives among Victorian archit...
Chloride
Chloride is Arizona's oldest continuously inhabited mining town (since 1862). About 350 people live here. Famous attractions include Roy Purcell's 196...
Clarkdale
Clarkdale was built as a planned company town by Senator William Clark for his copper smelter. The town had all amenities - hospital, schools, communi...
Congress
Congress was a gold mining town that was larger than Phoenix in the 1890s. The Congress Mine was one of Arizona's richest. When gold ran out, most lef...
Contention City
Contention City processed the ore from Tombstone's mines, as Tombstone lacked water. It was a violent town, scene of a shootout involving the Cowboys....
Courtland
Courtland was part of Arizona's copper triangle with Gleeson and Pearce. The town had 2,000 residents, but low copper prices closed the mines. Stone j...
Crown King
Crown King sits at 6,000 feet in the Bradshaw Mountains, accessible only by a challenging back road. The gold town survives as a weekend destination w...
Fairbank
Fairbank was a railroad junction serving Tombstone's silver mines. The 1882 commercial building and schoolhouse remain....
Gila Bend Air Force Base
Gila Bend AFB trained WWII bomber crews in desert aerial gunnery. At its peak, 3,000 personnel were stationed here. After the war, it became auxiliary...
Gleeson
Gleeson completes the Cochise County ghost town triangle with Courtland and Pearce. The jail, hospital ruins, and schoolhouse remain. A caretaker live...
Gleeson Jail
Gleeson was a copper and turquoise mining town that boomed across three different eras. The stone jail, hospital, and school ruins remain photogenic a...
Goldfield
Goldfield was a gold mining town that boomed briefly in the 1890s. Reconstructed as a tourist attraction, it now offers mine tours, a saloon, and narr...
Harshaw
Harshaw was a silver mining town that boomed in the 1870s. Fire destroyed the town in 1881 but mining continued. Today, a gold/silver mine operates ne...
Jerome
Jerome was one of the largest copper towns in Arizona. The sliding jail (which moved 225 feet downhill) is famous. About 450 people live here now amon...
Oatman
Oatman was a gold mining town that peaked at 10,000 people. When gold ran out, descendants of miners' burros remained. Today, wild burros roam freely ...
Pearce
Pearce was a gold mining town near the Cochise Stronghold. Gold was discovered by James Pearce while looking for stray horses. About 200 people remain...
Ruby
Ruby was a prosperous mining town until ore ran out. In the 1920s, it was the site of two brutal double murders by bandits from Mexico. Today, approxi...
Sasco
Sasco (Southern Arizona Smelting Company) processed copper ore from the Silverbell Mine. The impressive stone smelter ruins and foundations remain. Ac...
Stanton
Stanton earned a reputation as Arizona's most violent town. Named for a man who allegedly killed the original owner, the town saw murder after murder....
Swansea
Swansea was a copper smelter town named after the Welsh smelting city. Impressive industrial ruins include the smelter, power plant, and worker quarte...
Tip Top
Tip Top was a silver mining town with about 500 residents. The cemetery tells a sad story - most graves are young men who died in mining accidents or ...
Tombstone
Tombstone is the most famous Wild West town in America. The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881 lasted just 30 seconds but created legends...
Total Wreck
Total Wreck got its name when a prospector asked 'Who'd be a total wreck to look for silver here?' But he found silver! The town peaked at 300. Founda...
Two Guns
Two Guns was a Route 66 tourist trap with a zoo, curio shop, and fake 'Apache Death Cave' attraction. When I-40 bypassed it, the owner died and the to...
Vulture City
Vulture Mine was Arizona's most productive gold mine. Eighteen alleged high-graders (ore thieves) were hanged from the Hanging Tree, which still stand...
Vulture Mine
The Vulture Mine produced 340,000 ounces of gold. High-graders (ore thieves) were hanged from an ironwood tree. Tours are available....
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ghost towns are in Arizona?
We have documented 26 ghost towns in Arizona. These range from completely abandoned mining camps to semi-inhabited historic settlements.
Are ghost towns in Arizona safe to visit?
Most ghost towns are safe to explore, but exercise caution. Watch for unstable structures, mine shafts, and wildlife. Some are on private property - always check access rules before visiting.
What should I bring when visiting ghost towns?
Bring water, snacks, sun protection, sturdy shoes, a flashlight, and a first aid kit. Many ghost towns are in remote areas without cell service, so download offline maps.
Can I take artifacts from ghost towns?
No. Removing artifacts, bottles, or debris is illegal and destroys historical sites. Take only photos and leave only footprints.
What's the best time to visit ghost towns in Arizona?
Spring and fall offer the best weather for exploring. Summer can be extremely hot in desert locations, while winter may make roads impassable.