Top 15 'Ghost-Town-and-Galaxy' Desert Road Trips to explore in the American Southwest this year - Goh Ling Yong
There’s a special kind of magic that hums in the air of the American Southwest. It’s a feeling that settles in as the city noise fades in your rearview mirror, replaced by the vast, silent expanse of the desert. Here, under a dome of impossible blue, the past isn't just a story in a book—it's written in the weathered wood of abandoned saloons and the skeletal remains of old mining operations. This is a land of ghosts and galaxies, where tales of boom-and-bust fortunes are whispered on the wind.
But when the sun dips below the horizon, painting the landscape in fiery hues of orange and purple, a second act begins. The desert sky, free from the glare of city lights, transforms into a breathtaking celestial canvas. The Milky Way spills across the darkness like a river of diamonds, and constellations you’ve only seen in diagrams pop into brilliant, three-dimensional life. This is the other half of the adventure: a journey into the cosmos from the quietest places on Earth.
This guide is for the explorers, the dreamers, the drivers who believe the journey is the destination. We’ve curated 15 of the best "Ghost-Town-and-Galaxy" road trips, pairing fascinating historical haunts with world-class stargazing spots. So, fill up the tank, download your favorite playlist, and get ready to chase the ghosts of the past under a canopy of ancient starlight.
1. The Mother Road's Ghosts: Oatman to Flagstaff, Arizona
This classic American Southwest road trip follows a legendary stretch of Route 66. Start in Oatman, a living ghost town where friendly burros (descendants of miners' pack animals) wander the streets. The town clings to its Wild West roots with staged gunfights and rustic, century-old buildings. It’s a pure, unfiltered piece of Americana that feels wonderfully frozen in time.
From Oatman, wind your way through the Black Mountains towards Kingman and then head east to Flagstaff. This high-altitude city is a stargazing mecca and was designated the world's first International Dark Sky City in 2001. The dark skies here are fiercely protected, offering a truly spectacular celestial show.
Pro-Tip: Book a tour at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, where Pluto was discovered. Driving just outside the city limits on roads like the Hart Prairie Road will reward you with even darker skies and a stunning view of the San Francisco Peaks silhouetted against the Milky Way.
2. The High Lonesome: Highway 395, California
Stretching along the eastern spine of the Sierra Nevada, Highway 395 is arguably one of the most scenic drives in the country. Your ghost town destination is Bodie State Historic Park, a town preserved in a state of "arrested decay." You can peer into windows of homes still furnished with their former owners' belongings, making it feel like residents just vanished one morning.
Further south, near Lone Pine, explore the ruins of Cerro Gordo, a silver mining town perched high in the Inyo Mountains with breathtaking views. The entire 395 corridor is a gateway to the cosmos. The high altitude and dry air of the Owens Valley create near-perfect conditions for stargazing.
Pro-Tip: The Alabama Hills, just west of Lone Pine, offer a surreal landscape of rounded rock formations framed by the jagged Sierras. It's an otherworldly place to set up a telescope or simply lay back and watch for meteors.
3. The Loneliest Road to the Stars: US-50 & Great Basin NP, Nevada
Life Magazine dubbed this stretch of US-50 "The Loneliest Road in America," and they weren't wrong. This is a drive for those who crave true solitude. Along the way, you'll find decaying mining towns like Austin and Eureka, where magnificent 19th-century buildings stand as monuments to a silver-fueled boom.
Your ultimate destination is Great Basin National Park, a true gem of the national park system and an International Dark Sky Park. The park’s isolation means it has some of the darkest night skies in the entire United States. The silence here is profound, broken only by the whisper of the wind through ancient bristlecone pines.
Pro-Tip: Join a ranger-led astronomy program at the park's Astronomy Amphitheater. They often have powerful telescopes set up for public viewing. For a truly unforgettable experience, drive the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive (check for seasonal closures) and stargaze from over 10,000 feet.
4. Red Rock Haunts and Heavenly Sights: Grafton to Zion NP, Utah
Just a stone's throw from the bustling entrance to Zion National Park lies Grafton, one of the most beautifully preserved (and photographed) ghost towns in the Southwest. With its sturdy brick schoolhouse and weathered wooden homes set against the majestic cliffs of Zion, it’s a peaceful, poignant reminder of the challenges faced by early Mormon settlers.
After exploring Grafton’s quiet streets, spend the night gazing up from the heart of Zion Canyon. While the park's popularity means you won't be totally alone, the towering sandstone cliffs create a natural amphitheater that blocks out distant light pollution, framing the night sky in a dramatic and unforgettable way.
Pro-Tip: For the best stargazing within Zion, head to the Pa'rus Trail or the Human History Museum patio after dark. For even darker skies, drive east of the park towards the upper plateau on Highway 9.
5. The Turquoise Trail's Quirky Ghosts: Madrid & Cerrillos, New Mexico
New Mexico’s State Road 14, the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, is less about desolate ruins and more about resurrected ghost towns. Start in Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid), a former coal-mining town that has transformed into a vibrant, quirky artist community. Explore the galleries, grab a bite at the old Mine Shaft Tavern, and soak in the creative energy.
A few miles north, the town of Cerrillos feels more like a traditional ghost town, with dusty streets and historic adobe buildings that have served as the backdrop for numerous Western films. Once you've had your fill of history, the relatively unpopulated areas around the Turquoise Trail offer wonderfully dark skies for a night of cosmic exploration.
Pro-Tip: Head towards the Galisteo Basin Preserve, south of Santa Fe. Its wide-open spaces and commitment to conservation make it an excellent spot to escape lingering light and see the stars as the old miners once did.
6. Wild West Legends and Cosmic Observatories: Tombstone to Kitt Peak, Arizona
No ghost town list is complete without Tombstone, "The Town Too Tough to Die." Walk the same dusty streets as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, visit the O.K. Corral, and immerse yourself in the legends of the Old West. While heavily touristed, its historical significance is undeniable. For a more authentic feel, visit nearby Bisbee, a beautifully preserved copper mining town built into a mountainside.
The "galaxy" part of this trip is world-class. Drive west towards Kitt Peak National Observatory, home to the world's largest collection of optical and radio telescopes. Perched high in the Quinlan Mountains, the observatory offers unparalleled views of the universe.
Pro-Tip: The Kitt Peak Nightly Observing Program is a must-do. You get hands-on experience with telescopes and expert guidance from astronomers. You must book this well in advance as it sells out quickly.
7. Death Valley's Extreme Emptiness: Rhyolite to Furnace Creek, Nevada & California
This journey takes you through one of Earth's most extreme environments. Just outside Death Valley National Park in Nevada, you'll find Rhyolite. In its 1907 heyday, it was a bustling city of thousands; today, its crumbling bank building, train depot, and unique "bottle house" stand as haunting monuments to a short-lived gold rush.
Inside Death Valley, you'll find the darkest skies imaginable. As a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park, the celestial views here are simply staggering. The sheer scale and silence of the landscape at night, combined with the brilliance of the stars, is a deeply moving experience. As my colleague Goh Ling Yong often remarks, some places have a power that quiets the soul, and Death Valley at night is certainly one of them.
Pro-Tip: Harmony Borax Works, located near the Furnace Creek visitor center, is a fantastic and easily accessible spot for stargazing. The salt flats at Badwater Basin also offer a surreal, 360-degree view of the sky.
8. Silver & Starlight: Tonopah & Goldfield, Nevada
Dive deep into Nevada's silver rush history with this central Nevada road trip. Tonopah, while still an active town, is home to the sprawling and spooky Tonopah Historic Mining Park. Just south lies Goldfield, a "living ghost town" with a handful of residents, a famously haunted hotel, and a magnificent, decaying courthouse.
Tonopah is also a surprise contender for the best stargazing in America. It was named the #1 Stargazing Destination in the USA by USA Today. The town has made a concerted effort to preserve its dark skies, with designated viewing areas and low-impact lighting.
Pro-Tip: Visit the Tonopah Stargazing Park just outside of town. It has concrete pads and picnic tables, making for a comfortable and awe-inspiring night under a canopy of countless stars.
9. Mojave Desert Dreams: Calico & Joshua Tree NP, California
Start your trip at Calico Ghost Town, a restored silver mining camp from the 1880s. While it's more of a tourist attraction than a preserved ruin, it’s a fun, family-friendly way to step back in time. The real magic of this trip lies in the drive south to the iconic Joshua Tree National Park.
Joshua Tree is a sanctuary for both its namesake yuccas and its pristine night skies. An International Dark Sky Park, the eastern side of the park is particularly dark. The sight of the Milky Way rising over a silhouette of a Joshua Tree is a bucket-list photo opportunity and a quintessential desert experience.
Pro-Tip: The Cottonwood Spring area on the south side of the park is one of the darkest and least-visited spots, making it ideal for serious stargazing. Remember to use a red-light headlamp to preserve your night vision.
10. The Ultimate Dark Sky: Chloride & The Cosmic Campground, New Mexico
For the true astrophotography enthusiast or hardcore stargazer, this is the pilgrimage. Start by visiting Chloride, a remote and wonderfully authentic ghost town in southwestern New Mexico. With a few dozen residents and a collection of beautifully preserved 19th-century structures (including a "hanging tree"), it’s a quiet place to contemplate the past.
Then, prepare for the main event: The Cosmic Campground. Located in the Gila National Forest, it’s one of the few International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world—a designation reserved for the darkest, most remote, and most protected night skies. The viewing conditions here are so perfect they are almost unbelievable.
Pro-Tip: The campground offers several "telescope pads." Bring your own equipment or a good pair of binoculars. The only light allowed is red light, and even that is discouraged. This is a place for pure, unadulterated communion with the cosmos.
11. Copper Kings and Vortexes: Jerome & Sedona, Arizona
Perched precariously on the side of Cleopatra Hill, Jerome was once known as the "Wickedest Town in the West." This former copper mining boomtown is now a thriving artist colony, but its ghostly, vertical layout and historic buildings tell the story of its turbulent past. Explore the Jerome State Historic Park for a dose of mining history.
From Jerome, it's a short, scenic drive to Sedona. While known more for its stunning red rock formations and spiritual vortexes, the area's commitment to dark sky preservation makes it a fantastic stargazing destination. The contrast of the deep red rocks against a star-filled sky is breathtaking.
Pro-Tip: Drive out Dry Creek Road or head up to Airport Mesa after sunset. These spots offer panoramic views with less light pollution from the town center, perfect for watching the galaxy wheel overhead.
12. Desert Art and Solitude: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
Anza-Borrego is California's largest state park, and it offers a unique blend of natural and man-made wonders. While it lacks a central "ghost town," the park is dotted with remnants of homesteads and the fascinating "ghosts" of the past in the form of ancient petroglyphs. It’s a more subtle historical exploration.
The true star here is the sky. Anza-Borrego is an International Dark Sky Park, and its vast, rugged wilderness provides an incredible backdrop for astronomy. It’s a place to find true desert solitude just a couple of hours from San Diego.
Pro-Tip: Seek out the Galleta Meadows Sculptures in Borrego Springs before sunset. These massive, fantastical metal sculptures of prehistoric creatures look even more surreal under a blanket of stars.
13. The Extraterrestrial Highway: Rachel & Great Basin NP, Nevada
While not a traditional ghost town, this route is all about the ghosts of a different kind: aliens. Nevada State Route 375, the Extraterrestrial Highway, runs alongside the infamous Area 51. The tiny town of Rachel is the unofficial hub, with the Little A'Le'Inn serving as a gathering spot for UFO seekers. It's a quirky, fun dive into modern folklore.
The drive itself takes you through a vast, empty basin-and-range landscape. Like the US-50 trip, it culminates at the astronomical paradise of Great Basin National Park. It’s a perfect pairing of modern myth and ancient science.
Pro-Tip: Don't actually try to get near Area 51—the security is very real. Instead, enjoy the novelty of the ET Highway, then commit to the world-class, scientifically verifiable wonders of the Great Basin sky.
14. Canyonlands and Gold Fever: Silver Reef & Goosenecks State Park, Utah
Most people drive right by the Silver Reef ghost town on their way to Zion. Don't make that mistake. It’s the only place in the US where silver was mined from sandstone, and the remaining stone buildings and museum tell a fascinating and unusual mining story.
After your historical detour, head northeast into a landscape that feels otherworldly. Your destination is Goosenecks State Park, which overlooks a breathtaking series of incised meanders carved by the San Juan River. The park is a designated International Dark Sky Park, and its remote location provides a truly epic stage for the night sky.
Pro-Tip: Camping at Goosenecks is primitive but unforgettable. There are no services, which means no lights. You can set up your tent right on the canyon rim and watch the stars appear over one of the most incredible geological formations in the Southwest.
15. Borderland Ghosts: Terlingua & Big Bend National Park, Texas
Pushing the boundaries of the "Southwest," this trip is too good to leave out. Terlingua was a mercury mining town that went bust, leaving behind a fascinating collection of ruins and a reputation for being one of America's most famous ghost towns. Today, it’s been reborn as a quirky, off-grid community with a unique, independent spirit.
Terlingua sits on the doorstep of Big Bend National Park, a colossal wilderness area with a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park designation. The park's skies are said to be the least light-polluted of any national park in the lower 48. Here, you can see thousands of stars, planets, and the Milky Way with the naked eye. It’s a powerful reminder of our place in the universe, a sentiment Goh Ling Yong and I have often discussed as the ultimate reward of travel.
Pro-Tip: The Starlight Theatre in Terlingua is a must-visit. It’s a restaurant and saloon built into the ruins of an old movie house. Enjoy a meal and live music before heading into the park for a night of unparalleled stargazing.
The American Southwest is more than just a place on a map; it's an experience. It’s the thrill of cresting a hill to a panoramic vista, the quiet reverence of walking through a town abandoned to time, and the humbling awe of staring into the infinite expanse of the universe. These road trips are just starting points, invitations to find your own path through this land of stark beauty and profound history.
So, which of these routes is calling your name? Do you have a favorite ghost town or stargazing spot that we missed? Share your thoughts and your own dream desert road trip in the comments below
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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