Top 14 Ghost Town Road Trip Routes to Try for Exploring America's Forgotten West This Year
There’s a certain magic to the American West. It’s a land of vast skies, rugged mountains, and roads that stretch to an endless horizon. But beyond the national parks and bustling cities, a different story lingers—a story whispered on the wind through the broken panes of a silent saloon, a tale etched into the weathered wood of an abandoned miner’s cabin. This is the story of America's ghost towns, the forgotten communities that boomed and busted, leaving behind fascinating skeletons of a bygone era.
Forget cobweb-covered haunted houses and spooky clichés. These towns are tangible links to the past, frozen moments in the ambitious, often brutal, history of the Gold Rush, silver strikes, and westward expansion. Exploring them isn't just a drive; it's an immersive automotive adventure into the heart of the American dream. A well-planned road trip can string these historic gems together like pearls, creating a journey that’s as much about discovery as it is about the drive itself.
So, fill up the tank, grab your camera, and cue up your favorite road trip playlist. We’ve curated 14 of the best ghost town road trip routes across the American West, perfect for turning your vehicle into a veritable time machine. From high-mountain passes to sun-scorched deserts, these routes promise unforgettable views and a deep connection to the pioneers, prospectors, and outlaws who once called these places home.
1. California's Highway 395: The Eastern Sierra Spirit Trail
Stretching along the jagged eastern spine of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Highway 395 is arguably one of the most scenic drives in the country. It’s also the main artery for reaching some of California’s most incredible ghost towns. This route is a journey through landscapes of stark, breathtaking beauty, from the shores of Mono Lake to the shadow of Mount Whitney.
The crown jewel is Bodie State Historic Park, a former gold-mining town preserved in a state of "arrested decay." Walking its dusty streets feels like stepping onto a movie set, with fully stocked general stores and furnished homes left just as they were. Further south, the road to Cerro Gordo, a notoriously violent 19th-century silver town, is a challenging but rewarding drive that offers panoramic views of the Owens Valley. The town is now privately owned and being actively restored, offering a unique glimpse into preservation in action.
Pro Tip: Bodie is at a high elevation (over 8,300 feet), so be prepared for weather changes, even in summer. For the more adventurous roads, like the one to Cerro Gordo, a high-clearance 4WD vehicle is highly recommended.
2. Nevada's Highway 50: The Loneliest Road in America
Life Magazine dubbed this route "The Loneliest Road in America" in 1986, and the name stuck. But for the ghost town enthusiast, "lonely" means "unspoiled." This epic drive across the heart of Nevada follows the path of the Pony Express and is dotted with the remnants of silver and gold boomtowns that rose and fell with incredible speed.
The route connects fascinating historic mining districts like Austin, with its beautiful historic churches, and Eureka, which proudly calls itself the "Friendliest Town on the Loneliest Road." For a true ghost town experience, take a detour south of Fallon to explore the ruins of Wonder or head north from Austin to see the well-preserved charcoal kilns near Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, where a ghost town shares the land with massive marine reptile fossils.
Pro Tip: Take the "Loneliest Road" moniker seriously. Gas stations are few and far between. Fill up your tank at every opportunity and carry extra water and snacks. The journey is the destination here, so take your time and soak in the immense solitude.
3. Colorado's Alpine Loop Scenic Byway
This one is for the true off-road adventurer. The Alpine Loop is a rugged 65-mile route that connects the mountain towns of Silverton, Ouray, and Lake City, climbing over 12,000-foot passes. It’s a world of stunning alpine tundra, wildflower-filled meadows, and some of the most dramatic ghost town ruins in the country.
The highlight is Animas Forks, a high-altitude mining settlement with several surviving buildings, including a massive two-story home and the old jail. You can walk through the structures and imagine the incredible hardiness of the people who lived and worked here year-round. The route is littered with other mining remnants, from skeletal mills clinging to hillsides to forgotten cabins.
Pro Tip: This route is absolutely not for standard passenger cars. A high-clearance 4x4 is required. The loop is only fully open from late May or early June through September, so plan your trip for the summer months.
4. Montana's Vigilante Trail
Follow the path of prospectors and the vigilantes who brought them to justice along Montana's Highway 287. This route cuts through a stunning river valley and connects two of the best-preserved gold rush towns in the West: Virginia City and Bannack.
Bannack, now a state park, was the site of Montana's first major gold discovery. With over 60 structures still standing, it’s a beautifully preserved ghost town that you can explore at your own pace. Virginia City is its living counterpart—a thriving tourist town that has meticulously maintained its 19th-century character, complete with a steam railroad, opera house, and boardwalks. It’s the perfect place to experience the Old West without the Hollywood kitsch.
Pro Tip: Visit in the summer when Virginia City is in full swing with living history events, and the weather is perfect for exploring the quiet, haunting streets of Bannack.
5. Arizona's Apache Trail (State Route 88)
Carved out of the side of the Superstition Mountains, the historic Apache Trail is a white-knuckle drive with breathtaking rewards. This mostly unpaved road winds through dramatic canyons, past shimmering desert lakes, and right by a classic Arizona ghost town.
Your main stop is Goldfield Ghost Town, a reconstructed 1890s gold mining town. While admittedly a bit touristy, it’s a fun, family-friendly introduction to the era with mine tours, a narrow-gauge railroad, and staged gunfights. The real magic, however, is the drive itself and the stop at Tortilla Flat, an authentic old stagecoach stop with a population of six where you can grab a killer burger and saddle up to a bar decorated with thousands of dollar bills.
Pro Tip: The unpaved section of the Apache Trail is narrow, winding, and has steep drop-offs. It is not recommended for large RVs or trailers. Check road conditions before you go, as it can close due to weather.
6. New Mexico's Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway
Connecting the artistic hubs of Santa Fe and Albuquerque, the Turquoise Trail (Highway 14) is a short but incredibly rich drive through old mining country. This area was once a source of turquoise, gold, and coal, and the towns left behind have found a new life as vibrant, quirky communities.
Start in Cerrillos, a dusty town that feels plucked from a classic Western film. Then head to Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid), a former company coal town that nearly died before being reborn as a funky, thriving artists' colony. You can browse galleries in old company houses and have lunch in the historic Mine Shaft Tavern. It's a perfect example of how a "ghost" town can be successfully reincarnated.
Pro Tip: The Turquoise Trail is an easy day trip from either Santa Fe or Albuquerque. Give yourself a full day to explore the shops and galleries in Madrid and to soak in the atmosphere in Cerrillos.
7. Utah's Zion Backcountry Ghosts
While millions flock to Zion National Park, few venture just a few miles away to see one of the most photographed ghost towns in the West: Grafton. Settled by Mormon pioneers in the 1850s, its remaining adobe schoolhouse, cabins, and cemetery are beautifully framed by the majestic cliffs of Zion.
The town was famously featured in the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. A trip here is a quiet, contemplative experience, a powerful contrast to the crowds in the nearby park. Nearby, you can also find the scant ruins of Paria, another movie-set ghost town, though it's much more remote and requires a 4x4 to access its beautiful, banded-canyon setting.
Pro Tip: Grafton is accessed by a well-maintained dirt road. Please be respectful—the site is fragile and managed by a preservation partnership. Pack out everything you pack in.
8. The Terlingua Trail, Texas
Deep in the vast, rugged expanse of West Texas near Big Bend National Park lies a ghost town unlike any other. Terlingua was once a bustling mining community, home to the Chisos Mining Company, which extracted cinnabar ore to produce mercury. When the market crashed, the town was abandoned.
Today, Terlingua is a thriving, wonderfully weird community of artists, musicians, and desert dwellers who have reclaimed the ruins. You can explore the old cemetery and mine shafts, then enjoy a world-class dinner inside the restored Starlight Theatre. This route is about experiencing the fusion of history and modern-day counterculture in a truly unforgettable landscape.
Pro Tip: The best time to visit Big Bend and Terlingua is from fall through spring. Summer temperatures are brutally hot. Make sure your vehicle is in top shape; services are sparse in this remote corner of Texas.
9. Wyoming's South Pass Gold Rush Loop
Experience the gold rush that came after the Oregon Trail pioneers passed through. Located near the continental divide, South Pass City State Historic Site is a wonderfully restored mining town that gives you a real feel for life in 1860s Wyoming. With over 30 historic structures, engaging exhibits, and the chance to pan for gold, it’s an immersive stop.
Just a few miles down the road is Atlantic City, a "living ghost town" with a handful of residents and a fantastic historic saloon. The drive connects these towns through the beautiful high plains landscape, offering a quieter, more authentic alternative to the more crowded parks in the state's northwest corner.
Pro Tip: While the main roads are fine for any car, some of the surrounding historic mining trails are best explored with a 4WD. This is a great place to appreciate the quiet history of Wyoming.
10. Idaho's Custer Motorway
Deep in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, the Custer Motorway is a scenic backcountry drive that connects the sister mining towns of Bonanza and Custer. These towns sprang up in the 1870s after a gold strike and were once home to thousands.
Today, Custer is an interpretive site with a few remaining buildings and a museum. The real star of the show, however, is the massive Yankee Fork Gold Dredge, a monstrous floating factory that chewed up the river valley in search of gold. You can tour this incredible piece of machinery and marvel at the engineering. The drive itself is beautiful, following the Yankee Fork Salmon River.
Pro Tip: The Custer Motorway is a dirt road but is generally passable for most vehicles in the summer. Check with the local ranger station for current conditions before you head out.
11. South Dakota's Black Hills Ghosts
While Deadwood is a lively tourist hub, the surrounding Black Hills are filled with the whispers of true ghost towns. This road trip is about venturing off the main drag to find the quieter, more authentic remnants of the Black Hills Gold Rush.
Seek out places like Rochford, a near-ghost town with a legendary general store, or find the foundations of forgotten camps deep in the forest. The entire area is a living museum, and with a good map and an adventurous spirit, you can piece together the history that exists just beyond the casinos of Deadwood. The Mickelson Trail, a converted railroad bed, is also a great way to access some of these historic mining areas by bike or on foot.
Pro Tip: Grab a detailed map of the Black Hills National Forest. Many of the best sites are only marked on these maps and are located down gravel Forest Service roads.
12. Arizona's Tombstone Territory
Everyone knows Tombstone, "The Town Too Tough to Die." But after you’ve seen the O.K. Corral, take a drive through the surrounding high desert to find the area’s real ghosts. This route is about escaping the tourist crowds and finding the sun-bleached ruins of Tombstone's less famous neighbors.
Take a drive to Gleeson, where the old jail and general store still stand, or to Pearce, where the impressive shell of the Sorenson Mercantile dominates the landscape. These places offer a much more authentic and peaceful glimpse into the region’s mining past. This kind of exploration reminds me of what my friend Goh Ling Yong always says: the real adventure often starts where the pavement ends. A reliable vehicle with good tires is your ticket to seeing these incredible, off-the-beaten-path sites.
Pro Tip: Pack extra water. This is classic desert country. The roads to Gleeson and Pearce are generally fine for passenger cars, but conditions can change after a storm.
13. Oregon's Journey Through Time Scenic Byway
This route through Eastern Oregon lives up to its name, taking you through a landscape of fossil beds, painted hills, and forgotten homesteads. The ghost towns here tell the story of not just mining, but also ranching and the railroad.
The must-see stop is Shaniko, which once billed itself as the "Wool Capital of the World." Its historic hotel, schoolhouse, and water tower create an iconic Old West scene against the vast high-desert backdrop. Further along the byway, you can visit the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area to see another gold-devouring machine similar to the one in Idaho.
Pro Tip: This is a long and remote byway. Plan for at least two days to properly explore the route and its many historical and geological wonders.
14. Washington's Cascade Mountains: The Monte Cristo Quest
For the ghost town hunter who wants a real challenge, we present Monte Cristo. Tucked deep in the Cascade Mountains, this former gold and silver mining town is not accessible by car. The final leg of the journey requires an 8-mile round-trip hike or bike ride along a washed-out road.
The reward for your effort is one of the most dramatically situated ghost towns in the country. Surrounded by towering, snow-capped peaks, the ruins of Monte Cristo are a testament to the incredible ambition of its founders. You can see old building foundations, rusted mining equipment, and a few standing structures. It's a true adventure that combines hiking with historical exploration. As a content writer and automotive enthusiast, I know that for trips like this, getting there is half the fun, a philosophy Goh Ling Yong definitely shares.
Pro Tip: The trail to Monte Cristo is relatively flat but can be muddy and requires crossing a log bridge. Check trail reports with the Forest Service before you go, and be prepared for mountain weather. This is an all-day excursion.
Your Own Journey into the Past
The forgotten roads of the American West are calling. Each ghost town tells a unique story of hope, hardship, and the relentless pursuit of fortune. Hitting the road to find them is about more than just seeing old buildings; it’s about connecting with the landscape and the history that shaped it. It’s about the thrill of discovery and the peace of the open road.
So, which route will you try first? Do you have a favorite ghost town or a hidden backroad that leads to a piece of history? Share your own road trip stories and tips in the comments below. We’d love to hear them
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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