Looking for an unforgettable travel experience? Nevada is home to over 600 abandoned mining areas and spectacular ghost towns, which vastly outnumber the actual populated towns and cities in the state.
During the 19th century, an abundance of silver and gold deposits around Nevada made it ripe for boom and bust camps. Most of these settlements are nothing but memories and sand but a few are kept alive with the crumbling ruins of these echoes of the past.
But, with their beautiful natural landscapes and fascinating histories, these abandoned settlements are worth exploring.
Whether you’re looking for ghost towns near Las Vegas or more remote locations, there’s something for everyone in Nevada. Here are our top five picks for the best ghost towns in Nevada.
Rhyolite, Nevada
Rhyolite, Nevada is a ghost town located in the Bullfrog Hills, just outside Death Valley National Park, near the small town of Beatty.
The town was founded in 1904 after the discovery of gold in the hills and quickly grew to a population of over 8,000 people by 1907. However, by 1910 the population had declined to just 675 residents as many of the mines ran dry of valuable minerals.
By 1920, the population had dwindled to just a handful of people and the town was officially abandoned in 1924 when the last known resident passed away. Today, Rhyolite is a popular tourist destination, with visitors coming from all over the world to see its ghostly ruins.
Rhyolite is located about 120 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Visitors can explore the abandoned buildings, including the Bottle House that was built in 1906 from 50,000 discarded bottles, the Rhyolite Jail, and the Cook Bank Building. There are also several hiking trails in the area.
Check out the history of Rhyolite, Nevada
Where: 6 Miles From Beatty On State Route 374, Beatty, NV 89003
Berlin (Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park)
The abandoned town of Berlin, Nevada, located inside the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, is a unique ghost town located in Nevada’s Great Basin Desert. The state park is home to Nevada’s largest fossilized ichthyosaur, an extinct marine reptile that roamed the oceans that covered central Nevada 225-million years ago.
Founded in 1897, Berlin was a busy mining town with 75 buildings and over 300 residents at its peak. But the surrounding mines never produced like other famous boomtowns in the state, and the town was largely abandoned by 1911.
The town site was acquired by the state of Nevada in 1970 mainly because of the concentration of fossilized ichthyosaur bones and the buildings have been in upkeep ever since. Over the years, it became known as one of the best-preserved ghost towns in Nevada, with several beautifully preserved buildings and a wealth of historical artifacts.
Today, this ghost town remains a popular tourist destination, with visitors coming from far and wide to see its legacy in person. Whether exploring its many abandoned buildings or simply marveling at the harsh yet beautiful landscape that surrounds it, Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park is truly a must-see for anyone looking for adventure and exploration in Nevada.
Where: 20 Miles East Of Gabbs On State Route 844, Gabbs, NV 89409
Belmont, Nevada
Belmont, Nevada is a ghost town that was founded in 1867 after a silver strike in 1865.
Located near Tonopah and Manhattan, Nevada, the town at its height had a population of nearly 2,000 residents. Although located in an isolated area the town had all the modern comforts of the west: four stores, two saloons, five restaurants, a livery stable, a post office, an assay office, a bank, a school, a telegraph office, two newspapers, and a blacksmith shop.
The town’s pride was the legendary Belmont Courthouse, a towering structure that still stands today at over 150 years old. The interior of the courthouse bears the signatures of thousands of visitors from the last few decades including the chilling signature of Charles Manson.
However, like most other mining towns, the mines soon played out, and the town began to decline. The population dwindled, and by 1938, the last resident had left.
Today, Belmont is a popular destination for tourists who are interested in exploring ghost towns. Although there are no residents left, the town still has a few original buildings, including the courthouse and a hotel.
With its history of boom and bust, Belmont is a fascinating example of the fickle nature of human settlement.
Where: Cedar Street, Belmont, NV (near Tonopah, NV)
Goldfield, Nevada
Founded in 1902, Goldfield is a former mining town located in Nevada’s Esmeralda County. This ghost town was once one of the largest cities in Nevada, with a population of over 20,000 people in 1906.
Between 1903 and 1940, Goldfield’s mines produced around $86-million in gold and other minerals making it an enduring mining town.
In 1904, famed lawmen Virgil and Wyatt Earp came to Goldfield in hunt of work and fortune. Unfortunately for the legendary figures, Virgil died in October 1905 from pneumonia and Wyatt soon left town.
As for the town, a large portion of the mines still produced valuable ore but not at the rate they did in their boom days. By 1910 the town’s population was less than 5,000. By 1920, Goldfield held around 1,500 people while the mines continued to dry up. Today, it stands as a reminder of the boom-and-bust nature of the American West.
Goldfield is considered a “living” ghost town with an official 2020 population of 298 residents. While visitors can explore the many antiquated buildings, including the county courthouse which is still in use today, and the (haunted) Goldfield Hotel, it’s important to remember that the buildings are not abandoned and do have individual owners.
Where: On Highway 95 between Beatty and Tonopah, Nevada
Nelson, Nevada
As far back as 1775, the area now known as Nelson, Nevada, had a big reputation. The Spaniards who claimed the area originally called it Eldorado as discovering huge deposits of gold in the hills.
In 1859, more veins of gold and silver were found in the surrounding canyon. As word spread, miners and fortune seekers began to pour into the area and by 1861 the area was in full boom town mode. Steamboats powered up the Colorado River to deliver people and goods to the area, while during the Civil War, Union and Confederate soldiers who had deserted their camps would seek refuge in the isolated area.
Along with this isolation and wealth came lawlessness. Death and murder became commonplace at the famous (and infamous) Techatticup Mine which was operated from 1861 until 1942. Even among the daily murders and shootouts, the mines in the area continued to produce millions of dollars worth of gold, silver, copper, and lead.
However, after the mines began to shut down, people moved on to towns with better prospects, and the town was largely forgotten. A devastating flash flood in 1974 destroyed much of the town and wharf. With its population dwindling and businesses closing down one by one, Nelson has been all but abandoned since the middle of the 20th century.
Nelson sits about an hour outside of Las Vegas and makes for an excellent day trip, family trip, or a photographic haven. Today, tourists flock to this ghost town to get a glimpse of its vibrant past and experience its hauntingly quiet present. Hollywood has even come calling a few times with featured films such as ‘3000 Miles to Graceland’.
Whether you visit it for ghost stories or historic landmarks, there is no doubt that Nelson is a fascinating glimpse into old western America.
Where: Hc 62, Box 440, Nelson, NV
