There is something attractive to the human mind about abandoned towns, railways, and amusement parks. This is why you are probably here, looking for the best ghost towns in Arizona to tickle your curiosity.
What is a Ghost Town?
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Ghost towns are a delight for tourists and adventurers all over the world. Ghost towns are abandoned or neglected towns or villages with a few buildings, roads, and other aspects intact. These towns have zero or few residents and are often abandoned due to an economic downturn.
They take you back to a different era with its culture and history. Often, you will find cowboy tales and the Wild West culture dominantly etched into most of these ghost towns’ heritage. In addition, the slightly evident buzzing of the eerie hauntedness in the air makes it a trip to remember.
Ghost Towns in Arizona
In Arizona, there are many ghost towns around. Some of them are hidden behind rich gossip stories and naked truth, while others entertain the tourists. Nonetheless, they all have their own history; you can visit them to explore more about these towns. In this blog, you will find a list of the oldest ones in the state that have been bringing people from all over the country.
1. Goldfield Ghost Town and Mine
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If you travel 10 miles from Scottsdale, you will find this beautiful ghost town carefully preserved and situated along the Apache Trail. First started in the late 1800s, Goldfish Ghost Town has a cherished vibe celebrated even after 115 years. The town was abandoned in the 1900s. However, if you see its hustle and bustle today, your mind will not allow you to think that it was once abandoned.
After its preservation in 1926, there is so much history to explore here, and the managers have made it one of the best ghost towns in Arizona. The Wild West folklore is clearly visible, along with the many stories and memories etched into the place. In addition, it is home to a narrow gauge train, the only one in the state. You can hop on it to explore the town from a different angle while you listen to a narrated history tour.
In addition, there is a gold mine where you can try your luck with your friends and family. It could be a whole adventure on your end where you take a trip down to the mine and pan for gold. There is also a shooting range, giving you a reason to bring out your cowboy boots. Try to see if you have a good aim. Suppose you do not know how the town hosts a traditional gunfight beautifully performed by the famous gunfighters of the town.
Apart from all of this, there are many other things that you can enjoy while on the trip. There is the chance to go on horse riding, visit historical museums, and even go on a zipline. If you feel like shopping for souvenirs, you can head to the local gift shop or visit other shops in the market.
2. Tombstone
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If you want to visit one of the oldest historic towns in Arizona, choose Tombstone. It is situated southeast of Tuscon, in the Cochise County of Arizona. The town was founded in 1877 by a silver prospector named Ed Schieffelin but was abandoned within 20 years of its origin. Miners mined day and night, fueling the oil that ran the city. However, that ended soon when there was nothing left to mine from the town’s lands.
On the bright side, this gave way to a tourist attraction, now known as the Tombstone: the Town Too Tough to Die. Yes, that is the name people use for this infamous town because, despite setbacks, it ensures. However, if you are tougher than you think, then you must stroll down the town’s lanes and visit its attractions.
The town holds so much to do and is lively, unlike the haunted vibe its name gives. You can explore art galleries, visit historic museums to learn more about its rich history, and even get a tour of the gold mine.
You can see two expert fighters engage in a reenactment of the scandalous gunfight at The OK Corral and see the World’s Largest Rose Bush. There is also a Wild West-themed amusement park that brings out the cowboy in everyone.
3. Vulture City Ghost Town
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The city has a name that fits perfectly for a ghost town. However, when it comes to ghost towns, the Vulture City has the honor of having the largest gold mine in Arizona. The town started in the 1800s but was abandoned when no gold was left to mine. In its tenure, the city produced 340,000 ounces of gold and 260,000 ounces of silver.
The authorities then worked to repair the town and get it back to a shape that attracts people from all over the country. Since then, the town has become home to visitors and tourists wishing to explore country life more. As a result, you can find many gas stations, homes, hotels, offices, storehouses, workers’ residences, and mess halls standing tall as if it is the same town as before.
If you wish to go down the mines and see what it is like to mine gold, you can take a two-hour guided tour. You will experience firsthand what it is like being a miner back in the day. However, if you are more of a person who likes to visit haunted places, you will find one of interest here. The 300-year-old ironwood tree is situated right in this town, where around 18 people were hanged to death.
4. Gold King Ghost Town and Mine
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Near Jerome, one of the oldest ghost towns resides, known as the Gold King Ghost Town and Mine. You can find it between Coconino and Prescott national forests. It may not be the biggest size, but it gives you a sneak peek into the old lives of cowboys and cowgirls.
There are not many attractions here either. You will find a couple of gift shops and some other statues that might bring out the touristy side of you. However, many abandoned buildings, vintage cars & trucks, and even a few classical artifacts take you back to the old times.
On top of that, you can truly feel the ancient air in the town because of a few buildings that are over a century old. The best thing about the place is the collection of vintage cars & trucks. Of course, they won’t work, but if you are an enthusiast, you will surely be enchanted by its engine.
5. Hackberry
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A mix between a ghost town and a Wild West village, Hackberry was built as a mining town just like most of the ghost towns on the list. However, not all the residents left their homes when it was abandoned. Many residents still live in their homes peacefully, enjoying the country culture.
If you wish to stay here, you can find many grocery stores and motels to give you an embracing welcome. In contrast, if you wish to explore the ancient folklore of the town, you can also find some decent spots to cater to your tourist side. There are many gas stations and various vintage vehicles that will help you explore the town’s history.
6. Bisbee
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The town of Bisbee is situated only 30 minutes from Tombstone. Many tourists prefer taking a long drive and visiting both towns to compare each’s history and heritage. It started as a mining city producing almost every valuable metal that you can think about. From the ever-popular gold and silver to the more common zinc and copper. Out of the four metals, its production in copper is worth mentioning.
For a little over 100 years since its origin, it made many dollar bills for the mining industry and attracted many visitors. However, when the mines dried, there was not much in the town to hold the residents back.
There might not be many people living in the buildings, but it is sure a lot of things to keep the visitors happy. First, you will find museums etched with their history and cultural symbols. However, its top sites to explore are the art murals painted around the street walls and the outdoor art museum. So, it is a place to visit for ghost town fans and art appreciators.
7. Chloride
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Talking about living ghost towns, this one is another in the state of Arizona. Chloride is situated 30 minutes from Klingman, an ideal stop if you are en route to Las Vegas.
The town started as a mining city in the 1800s and was quite popular for producing silver. But silver was not the only thing mined; there were gold, lead, zinc, and turquoise mines as well. Around 75 mines were in the city, keeping the town running until the productions were insufficient.
The town of 2000 people is now inhabited by a mere 400 people. However, the ones who are living here have done a great job of preserving the history and culture of the town. There is a post office and a church that has been running since their origin. Being a ghost town, you can stay at motels, explore the streets, and find a grocery store to fill your stomach. It’s the longest-running mining town in the country.
Moreover, there are local color murals on the streets and a local jail. It was built in the early years to give you an insight into the old wild west culture. There is also a replica of a ghost town known as Cyanide Springs, which is quite popular among tourists. It is a must-visit if you want to get a real feeling of a ghost town while you are here.
8. Two Guns
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Last on our list is a ghost town but one that doesn’t see many visitors, unlike others. If you are a Route 66 traveler, you will find this particular ghost town perched on an obscure road stop. The place has an eerie atmosphere and many seemingly haunted sites, including an abandoned zoo, to keep you company.
The town hosts many stories, traveling around like gossip in its chilly air. There are some that are true, but you can never tell which ones are embedded in the town’s history. However, the ever-popular Apache Death Cave is there, whose story is part of the town’s legend. It had its fair share of visitors too. Some even tried to make money out of the cave by selling artifacts out of the cave to people.
If you want more from the haunted mania, the Mountains Lion enclosure is in ruins. Exploring it gives you a creepy chill down your spine and takes you back to its history. However, the place is pretty much empty nowadays, with little to no visitors finding time for the ghost town. But people think it won’t last long.
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