Kirwin

Amelia Earhart's Retreat

State: Wyoming County: Park County Founded: 1897 Abandoned: 1907 Peak Population: 200

Kirwin was a remote gold mining town in the Absaroka Mountains. After a fatal avalanche killed three miners, the town declined rapidly. Amelia Earhart later built a summer cabin here, drawn by the isolation. Her cabin still stands.

Gold Mining

Kirwin mined gold at 9,300 feet elevation. The extreme isolation and harsh winters limited growth.

Earhart's Cabin

Aviator Amelia Earhart fell in love with the area and built a cabin in 1934. She disappeared in 1937 before using it much.

Timeline

  • 1897 - Founded Mining began
  • 1907 - Avalanche Three miners killed
  • 1934 - Earhart Built her cabin

Plan Your Visit

Best Time: Summer only

Difficulty: Difficult - remote, high elevation

Time Needed: Full day

Quick Facts

  • Amelia Earhart's cabin still stands
  • At 9,300 feet elevation
  • Fatal avalanche hastened decline

Location

Address: Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming

Coordinates: 43.8669, -109.3183