Ghost Town Map

Every town in the archive plotted across America. Click a pin to explore.

State
Town Type

Explore the Ghost Town Archive

The map above plots every ghost town and historic mining camp we have documented in depth. Zoom, pan, and click any marker to open a full field guide — complete with history, archival and modern photos, GPS coordinates, and up-to-date visitor information.

34
Towns Mapped
15
States
1850s+
Era Covered
Free
To Explore

How to Use the Map

  • Click a marker to see the town name and a link straight to its full guide.
  • Zoom and pan to explore a region — clusters of markers often reveal entire historic mining districts.
  • Browse by state using the directory below, or visit a state hub page for a curated regional overview.
  • Plan ahead by reading each guide’s visitor-information and safety sections before you travel.
A note on safety: Many sites in this archive are remote and unmaintained. Abandoned mines contain vertical shafts hundreds of feet deep, bad air, and unstable ground; historic structures can collapse without warning. Observe from a safe distance, stay on established roads and trails, carry water and a paper map where cell service fails, and always respect private property, fences, and closure signs. When in doubt, keep out.

Ghost Towns by State

Browse the full archive by region. State names link to curated regional hubs; each town links to its complete field guide.

Utah6 towns
California5 towns
Arizona4 towns
Nevada4 towns
Montana3 towns
Colorado2 towns
Wyoming2 towns
Alaska1 town
Idaho1 town
New Mexico1 town
Pennsylvania1 town
South Dakota1 town
Tennessee1 town
Texas1 town
West Virginia1 town

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ghost Town Archive map?
It is an interactive map plotting every ghost town and historic mining camp we have documented in detail. Each marker links to a full field guide with history, photos, GPS coordinates, and current visitor information. The map is generated automatically from our published town guides, so it grows as we add new locations.
How many ghost towns are on the map?
The archive currently maps 34 ghost towns and historic sites across 15 U.S. states, from the silver camps of Nevada and the copper towns of Utah to the coal and coke settlements of Appalachia. New towns are added regularly.
Are these ghost towns safe to visit?
It varies. Some, like Virginia City, Nevada or Deadwood, South Dakota, are living historic towns open year-round. Others are remote, unmaintained sites with real hazards — open mine shafts, unstable structures, flash-flood washes, and rough access roads. Always research each site individually, respect private property and closures, and never enter abandoned mine workings.
Can I get directions to a ghost town from the map?
Each town guide lists GPS coordinates in decimal degrees and describes the driving route and road conditions. You can enter the coordinates into any mapping app, but be aware that cell service is often unavailable near remote sites, so download offline maps before you go.
How do you decide what counts as a ghost town?
We document a broad range of abandoned and semi-abandoned places: fully deserted camps, partially occupied historic districts, company towns that were dismantled or relocated, and once-booming cities now reduced to a fraction of their peak population. Each guide explains the settlement’s rise, decline, and what remains today.