Ghost Town USA

Ghost Towns in San Juan County, Colorado

10 documented ghost towns

San Juan County, Colorado, is home to 10 documented ghost towns — a concentrated dose of boom-and-bust history in a single county. From gold-rush camps to railroad sidings, the ghost towns of the American West trace the boom-and-bust cycles of mining frontiers. The names to know include Animas Forks, Eureka, Arastra, Chattanooga, Gladstone.

Where conditions are verified, expect 1 partial ruins and 1 foundations only sites. 2 towns are known to be publicly accessible — for the rest, verify land ownership before you go. Every town below gets its own full guide — with maps, visitor notes, and FAQs.

All Ghost Towns in San Juan County

San Juan County Ghost Town FAQs

How many ghost towns are in San Juan County, Colorado?
10 ghost towns are documented in San Juan County, Colorado, each with its own guide on this page.
What are the most notable ghost towns in San Juan County?
Standouts include Animas Forks, Eureka, Arastra, Chattanooga, Gladstone. Browse the full list below — featured towns have the most complete guides.
What condition are San Juan County's ghost towns in?
Among towns with verified conditions: 1 partial ruins, 1 foundations only. The rest are listed with unknown status until someone verifies them on the ground.
Can you visit the ghost towns in San Juan County?
2 towns are known to be publicly accessible. For the rest, verify land ownership and access rules before visiting — and respect private property everywhere.