Ghost Town USA

Ghost Town · Nevada

Charleston

A ghost town of unknown status in Elko County County, Nevada.

By the Ghost Town USA research team · Last reviewed September 2026

Charleston ghost town, Nevada
Photo: Dicklyon (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons

Quick Facts

State
Nevada
Status
Unknown Status
Access
Unknown Access
Coordinates
Not recorded

You don't stumble onto Charleston by accident. That's rather the point. Mount Charleston, including Charleston Peak (Nuvagantu, literally "where snow sits", in Southern Paiute or Nüpakatütün in Shoshoni) at 11,916 feet (3,632 m), is the highest mountain in both the Spring Mountains and Clark

Elko County County holds 10 documented ghost towns, including Cobre, Deeth, Delano — Charleston keeps them company on the map.

The story of Charleston

Nevada is ghost-town central: the Comstock made it a state, and a century of played-out bonanzas kept it in ruins.

Mount Charleston, including Charleston Peak (Nuvagantu, literally "where snow sits", in Southern Paiute or Nüpakatütün in Shoshoni) at 11,916 feet (3,632 m), is the highest mountain in both the Spring Mountains and Clark County, in Nevada, United States. It is the eighth-highest mountain in the state. Well separated from higher peaks by large, low basins, Charleston Peak is the most topographically prominent peak in Nevada, and the eighth-most-prominent peak in the contiguous United States. It is one of eight ultra-prominent peaks in Nevada.

What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Charleston is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Getting there

Here's the honest truth: access to Charleston is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Good to know

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.

Charleston FAQs

Where is Charleston located?
Charleston is in Elko County County, Nevada. Precise coordinates aren't on record, so research maps and local directions before you go.
What county is Charleston in?
Charleston sits in Elko County County, Nevada. See our full guide to ghost towns in Elko County County for its neighbors.
What is the history of Charleston?
Mount Charleston, including Charleston Peak (Nuvagantu, literally "where snow sits", in Southern Paiute or Nüpakatütün in Shoshoni) at 11,916 feet (3,632 m), is the highest mountain in both the Spring Mountains and Clark County, in Nevada, United States.
What remains at Charleston today?
The on-the-ground condition of Charleston is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.
Can you visit Charleston?
Here's the honest truth: access to Charleston is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Sources: description based on Wikipedia (“Mount Charleston”), CC BY-SA.

More Ghost Towns in Elko County County

See all 10 ghost towns in Elko County County, Nevada