Quick Facts
- State
- Utah
- County
- Emery County County
- Status
- Unknown Status
- Access
- Unknown Access
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
You don't stumble onto Desert Lake by accident. That's rather the point. Desert Lake is a ghost town in Castle Valley in northern Emery County, Utah, United States. It was inhabited from 1885 to about 1910.
Emery County County holds 4 documented ghost towns, including Connellsville, Victor, Woodside — Desert Lake keeps them company on the map.
The story of Desert Lake
Utah's ghost towns split between failed Mormon farm villages and the rough mining camps the faithful mostly watched from a distance.
Desert Lake is a ghost town in Castle Valley in northern Emery County, Utah, United States. It was inhabited from 1885 to about 1910.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Desert Lake 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 Desert Lake 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.
Desert Lake FAQs
Where is Desert Lake located?
What county is Desert Lake in?
What is the history of Desert Lake?
What remains at Desert Lake today?
Can you visit Desert Lake?
Sources: description based on Wikipedia (“Desert Lake, Utah”), CC BY-SA.