America's Ghost Towns,
Mapped.

A ghost town is a once-inhabited place that has been substantially or completely abandoned — its buildings left behind as the reason for its existence (a mine, a railroad, a mill) disappeared. Some stand preserved, others survive only as foundations.

Many ghost towns are publicly accessible, especially those in state and national parks. Others sit on private land, where you must have the owner's permission. Every town guide on Ghost Town USA includes access information — always verify current conditions before you go.

Western mining states dominate the list. Browse the state grid below to see counts — states like Texas, California, Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado each have hundreds of documented ghost towns.

They can be. Open mine shafts, unstable structures, and remote locations are real hazards. Stay out of mines, don't enter collapsing buildings, carry water, and tell someone your plans when exploring backcountry sites.

Bodie, California — a California State Historic Park — is the most famous, preserved in a state of 'arrested decay.' But dozens of lesser-known preserved towns across the West offer the same frozen-in-time feeling with fewer crowds.

No — removing artifacts from ghost towns is illegal on public land and unethical everywhere. Take photographs, leave everything exactly as you found it.