Ghost Towns in Colorado
34 documented ghost towns
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History
Colorado has more ghost towns than living towns. Silver and gold mining in the Rockies created camps at extreme elevations.
Regions: Rocky Mountains • San Juan Mountains
All Ghost Towns
Animas Forks
Animas Forks is Colorado's highest ghost town at 11,200 feet. The iconic Bay Window House is one of the best-preserved structures. Accessible via the ...
Ashcroft
Ashcroft briefly rivaled Aspen as a silver boomtown with 2,500 residents. But the railroad chose Aspen, not Ashcroft, and the town collapsed. The Aspe...
Bonanza
Bonanza was one of Colorado's richest silver districts, producing over $10 million in ore. At 10,000 feet, winters were brutal. When silver prices cra...
Capitol City
George T. Lee built Capitol City to become Colorado's capital. He constructed an elaborate brick mansion with a ballroom. The silver ran out before hi...
Caribou
Caribou was a silver town known for its harsh weather. It burned down twice and was eventually abandoned. The ruins of the stone Potosi Mine building ...
Carson
Carson was a silver mining camp at nearly 12,000 feet near the Continental Divide. It had 500 residents at its peak. Access requires 4WD on the Alpine...
Central City
Central City was called the 'Richest Square Mile on Earth' after the 1859 gold strike that helped launch Colorado's mining era. The 1878 Central City ...
Como
Como was a major railroad hub in South Park, Colorado. The stone roundhouse and depot from the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad remain. About 430...
Creede
Creede boomed overnight in 1890 and poet Cy Warman wrote 'It's day all day in the daytime, and there is no night in Creede.' Bob Ford (Jesse James' ki...
Creede
Creede was Colorado's last silver boomtown (1890s), producing 84 million ounces. Bob Ford—the man who shot Jesse James—ran a saloon here before being ...
Cripple Creek
Cripple Creek was Colorado's last great gold rush (1890s), producing more gold than California and Alaska combined. Winfield Scott Stratton sold his I...
Crystal
Crystal is famous for the Crystal Mill, arguably the most photographed structure in Colorado. The powerhouse sits dramatically over the Crystal River....
Dearfield
Dearfield was an African American agricultural colony founded by O.T. Jackson in 1910. The community thrived until the Dust Bowl destroyed it....
Eureka
Eureka was a silver mining town on the Alpine Loop. The massive Sunnyside Mill processed ore from the Sunnyside Mine. The mill ruins and town foundati...
Gilman
Gilman was a zinc and lead mining town perched dramatically on a 1,000-foot cliff above Eagle River. The EPA declared it a Superfund site due to toxic...
Gilman
Gilman was a zinc and lead mining town perched on a cliff above the Eagle River—until the EPA discovered contamination so severe they evacuated everyo...
Gold Hill
Gold Hill claims to be Colorado's oldest mining town—gold was discovered here in January 1859, weeks before the famous Gregory Gulch strike. At 1,500 ...
Gothic
Gothic was a silver mining town that died when the mines closed. In 1928, the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory took over the townsite. Scientists ...
Independence
Gold was discovered here on July 4, 1879, hence the name Independence. At 10,900 feet, winter temperatures could reach -40°F. Residents famously skied...
Ironton
Ironton is on the spectacular Million Dollar Highway. A few buildings remain from this Red Mountain Mining District town....
Keota
Keota thrived on farming until the Dust Bowl. The 1930s droughts destroyed agriculture, and the population fled. A handful of residents remain in this...
Leadville
Leadville is the highest incorporated city in North America (10,152 feet). Once Colorado's second-largest city with 40,000 people, it boomed on silver...
Marble
Marble quarried here built the Lincoln Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The massive marble mill ruins stand 3 stories tall. About 150 residen...
Nevadaville
Nevadaville (or Nevada City) rivals Central City in history but not in preservation. Dozens of original buildings and mine structures remain, includin...
Ohio City
Ohio City and Pitkin fought bitterly for the county seat. Ohio City lost by 32 votes after accusations of fraud. The town declined while Pitkin surviv...
Silver Plume
Silver Plume is the western terminus of the famous Georgetown Loop Railroad. The entire town is a National Historic Landmark district. About 170 resid...
Silverton
Silverton is the northern terminus of the famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The entire downtown is a National Historic Landmark. About...
Silverton
Silverton is the 'Mining Town That Wouldn't Quit'—sole municipality in San Juan County (highest mean elevation in US). The Durango & Silverton Narrow ...
St. Elmo
St. Elmo was a mining supply town at 10,000 feet elevation. When the railroad closed in 1922, the town died. Over 40 original buildings remain, making...
Swan City
Swan City served the gold dredges and mines of the Swan River valley. It was a small but lively camp. Today, only a few log buildings remain, includin...
Teller City
Teller City briefly rivaled Denver in size during the silver rush. Today only scattered cabin ruins remain in the pine forest....
Tin Cup
Tin Cup was called Colorado's wildest town - four town marshals were killed in one year. Originally named Virginia City, it was renamed for a miner's ...
Vicksburg
Vicksburg was a silver mining town near Leadville at 10,000 feet elevation. When silver prices crashed in 1893, the town died quickly. Foundations and...
Winfield
Winfield was a silver mining town near the Continental Divide. Several cabins, the schoolhouse foundation, and mine structures remain. The popular Hur...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ghost towns are in Colorado?
We have documented 34 ghost towns in Colorado. These range from completely abandoned mining camps to semi-inhabited historic settlements.
Are ghost towns in Colorado 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 Colorado?
Spring and fall offer the best weather for exploring. Summer can be extremely hot in desert locations, while winter may make roads impassable.