Ghost Towns in New Mexico
24 documented ghost towns
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Explore the ghost towns of New Mexico.
All Ghost Towns
Cerrillos
Cerrillos was a mining and railroad town featured in movies. The petting zoo, saloons, and old-west feel make it a tourist stop on the Turquoise Trail...
Chloride
Chloride was a silver mining town in the Black Range. Harry Pye discovered silver chloride ore here, giving the town its name. About 12 people remain....
Cimarron
Cimarron was a Santa Fe Trail town famous for its violent history. The St. James Hotel (1872) reportedly saw 26 men killed within its walls. Guests in...
Colfax
Colfax was a coal mining town in the mountains near Cimarron Canyon. When the mines closed, the town emptied. Foundations and a cemetery remain. Near ...
Cuervo
Cuervo was a bustling Route 66 town until Interstate 40 bypassed it. Today only a few residents remain amid decaying buildings....
Dawson
Dawson was a major coal town that suffered two deadly mine explosions (1913: 263 dead, 1923: 120 dead). The haunting cemetery has iron crosses for the...
Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown (E-Town) was New Mexico's first incorporated town, booming with 7,000 gold miners. When the gold gave out, everyone left. The Mutz Hotel...
Fort Union
Fort Union was the largest military fort in the Southwest, protecting the Santa Fe Trail. The massive adobe ruins are now a national monument....
Glenrio
Glenrio straddled the Texas-New Mexico border on Route 66—with cafes and gas stations on both sides. When I-40 bypassed the town in 1975, Glenrio died...
Golden
Golden claims the first gold strike west of the Mississippi River in 1825 - decades before California. The San Francisco church (ruins) and Henderson ...
Hagan
Hagan was a coal mining town that served Albuquerque's needs. When the mines closed, the town was abandoned. In the 1970s, filmmakers discovered the p...
Hillsboro
Hillsboro was the Sierra County seat during the mining boom. Geronimo was held here briefly. The town had 13 saloons. About 200 residents remain in wh...
Kelly
Kelly was a lead-zinc mining town with 3,000 residents and 3,000 burros. The church, headframe, and other structures remain scattered on the hillside....
Kingston
Kingston was once the largest town in New Mexico Territory with 7,000 people and 22 saloons. Mark Twain and Grover Cleveland visited. The Silver Panic...
Lake Valley
Lake Valley's Bridal Chamber mine produced the largest silver nuggets ever found. One nugget was exhibited at the 1893 World's Fair. The town had 4,00...
Lincoln
Lincoln was the site of the Lincoln County War, the bloody feud that made Billy the Kid famous. The courthouse where he escaped through murder and the...
Madrid
Madrid was a company coal town that was completely abandoned in 1954. Artists began moving into the cheap houses in the 1970s. Today, it is a thriving...
Mogollon
Mogollon is reached via 9 miles of dramatic switchbacks on NM-159 (not for RVs). The remote silver-gold town had 2,000 residents. About 10 residents r...
Pinos Altos
Pinos Altos (Tall Pines) was a gold mining camp. Billy the Kid was briefly jailed here before escaping. The Buckhorn Saloon (1860s) still operates. Ap...
Roy
Roy is in Harding County, one of America's emptiest counties with only ~700 people in 2,126 square miles. The ranching town has about 234 residents. H...
Shakespeare
Shakespeare was a silver mining town known for frontier violence. Russian Bill and Sandy King were hanged in the Grant House dining room for horse the...
Steins
Steins is a privately owned ghost town offering paid tours. Original buildings, railroad relics, and volunteers in period costume bring the town to li...
White Oaks
White Oaks was a thriving gold mining town where Billy the Kid gambled at the Starr Saloon. When residents refused right-of-way to the railroad, it by...
White Oaks
White Oaks was one of New Mexico's richest gold towns—until residents reportedly refused the railroad's demand to close their saloons. The railroad bu...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ghost towns are in New Mexico?
We have documented 24 ghost towns in New Mexico. These range from completely abandoned mining camps to semi-inhabited historic settlements.
Are ghost towns in New Mexico 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 New Mexico?
Spring and fall offer the best weather for exploring. Summer can be extremely hot in desert locations, while winter may make roads impassable.