Ghost Towns in Idaho
23 documented ghost towns
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Explore the ghost towns of Idaho.
All Ghost Towns
Atlanta
Atlanta was a gold mining town in the 1860s. It remains one of the most remote inhabited places in the Lower 48, accessible only by long dirt roads. A...
Bayhorse
Bayhorse was a silver mining town with 600 residents. It closed in the 1940s. The BLM now manages the site with 15+ original buildings including the a...
Bonanza
Bonanza was the largest town in the Yankee Fork gold district. Buildings include the Boothill Cemetery and General Custer Mine. Part of Land of the Ya...
Burke
Burke was so narrow that the train tracks ran through the Tiger Hotel lobby. It was America's narrowest town, squeezed into a canyon....
Centerville
Centerville was situated centrally in the Boise Basin mines. It had a large Chinese population who worked the mines and ran businesses. Today, it is a...
Chesterfield
Chesterfield is unique among Western ghost towns for its brick architecture. Founded by Mormon settlers, it was bypassed by the railroad. The Chesterf...
Chesterfield
Chesterfield was a prosperous Mormon colony of 400 people with its own cooperative store, amusement hall, and tithing office. When irrigation projects...
Custer
Custer is a well-preserved gold mining town in the Land of the Yankee Fork. The schoolhouse, assay office, and stamp mill are restored. Part of the Ya...
De Lamar
De Lamar was founded by Captain Joseph De Lamar who bought existing mines. At 1,000 residents, it had a hotel, saloons, and a school. The Captain beca...
Gilmore
Gilmore was a lead and silver mining town at the end of the Gilmore & Pittsburgh Railroad. When the ore ran out, the railroad closed and the town died...
Idaho City
Idaho City was the largest city in the Pacific Northwest in 1863, bigger than Portland. The Boise Basin produced more gold than all of Alaska. Today, ...
Leesburg
Leesburg was founded by Confederate Civil War veterans who struck gold. It was named after Robert E. Lee. At its peak, it had 7,000 residents. The nea...
Murray
Murray was where the famous 'Jackass Trial' occurred - Noah Kellogg's donkey found the Bunker Hill lead-silver lode. The trial over ownership led to a...
Pearl
Pearl was a remote gold mining camp in the Sawtooth foothills. Cabin ruins remain in the forest....
Pioneerville
Pioneerville was the first settlement in the basin, nicknamed 'Hog'em' because the early prospectors hogged all the claims. It remains as a small comm...
Placerville
Placerville was site of Idaho's first gold discovery and first permanent settlement. Over $100 million in gold was extracted. About 50 residents remai...
Rocky Bar
Rocky Bar was a gold mining town with 2,500 residents. It briefly served as Alturas County seat. Today, it's privately owned but some buildings are pr...
Ruby City
Ruby City was the first county seat of Owyhee County. It was a violent place. When nearby Silver City proved to be a better location (and winter shelt...
Silver City
Silver City is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the Pacific Northwest. Over 75 buildings survive, including the 1866 Our Lady of Tears church....
Vienna
Vienna was a silver mining camp that briefly boomed in the 1880s. At 7,800 feet in the Sawthooth Mountains, harsh winters hastened its decline. Sparse...
Wallace
Wallace claims to be the Center of the Universe. Its entire downtown is on the National Register. The silver mining town reinvented itself as a touris...
Warren
Warren was a major gold mining town with 2,000 residents and a large Chinese population. Only about 12 people live here now. Access is via rough road ...
Yellow Pine
Yellow Pine is a remote former mining town accessible via 50 miles of dirt road. About 30 residents remain. It's famous for hosting the Yellow Pine Ha...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ghost towns are in Idaho?
We have documented 23 ghost towns in Idaho. These range from completely abandoned mining camps to semi-inhabited historic settlements.
Are ghost towns in Idaho 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 Idaho?
Spring and fall offer the best weather for exploring. Summer can be extremely hot in desert locations, while winter may make roads impassable.