What’s hot in Nevada September 2025

Ghost towns & gold dust: Hit the road and discover Nevada’s forgotten frontier

2 September 2025: There’s more than just gold hidden deep in the hills of Nevada, with the state’s rugged landscape home to more ghost towns than populated cities. Once prosperous mining boomtowns and bustling communities that were eventually abandoned, Nevada’s landscape is dotted with hundreds of ghost towns – each with their own captivating vintage Wild West story during a time long gone by.

Thanks to Nevada’s dry climate, many of these ghost towns remain remarkably intact today. From sunken settlements revealed by receding waters, mining structures built atop ancient ichthyosaur fossils, to crumbling saloons and lovingly restored mining camps – Nevada offers curious travellers a rare glimpse into the relics of a bygone era.

Here are some of Nevada’s ghost towns waiting to be explored:

Rhyolite: Near Beatty, Rhyolite is the most photographed ghost town in the state. Its ruins, including the famous Cook Bank building and Tom Kelly Bottle House, sit beside the surreal sculptures of the Goldwell Open Air Museum.

Virginia City: Home to the largest silver strike in the world and a living remnant of Nevada’s boomtown glory days. Step back in time and raise a glass in watering holes with names like Bucket of Blood and Silver Queen, stroll original wooden boardwalk-lined streets, and hear tales of Virginia City’s haunted hotels and saloons from locals in period costumes.

Belmont: One of the Nevada ghost town greats, located just north of Tonopah. Unlike most others, Belmont’s boom lasted an impressive 20 years. Take in sights like the 150-year old Belmont Courthouse, perfectly masoned miners’ cabins and mill sites, and the Monitor-Belmont Mill chimney—originally built to mill bricks, then used for target practice by WWII Air Force pilots.

Goodsprings: Just 45 minutes from Las Vegas, Goodsprings is a “living ghost town” with an operational schoolhouse, the iconic Pioneer Saloon, and a self-guided walking tour through historic mining sites.

Nelson & Eldorado Canyon: Located in the scenic Eldorado Canyon, this area is home to the Techatticup Mine—the oldest in southern Nevada—and is a popular filming location thanks to its vintage relics and dramatic desert backdrop. Today, its colourful history is shared by Eldorado Canyon Mine Tours.

Delamar: This former gold-producing town near Caliente, Delamar is notable for its extensive stone ruins, rainbow-hued bricks, and two cemeteries that speak to its rugged past. The town was once referred to as “the Widowmaker” due to the miners unknowingly breathing in the toxic silica dust created when processing and milling gold.

Pioche: Known as “Nevada’s Liveliest Ghost Town,” Pioche is a well-preserved relic of the Wild West with modern attractions including stunning state parks, saloons, restaurants, hotels, and museums including the Overland Hotel & Saloon, Thompson’s Opera House, the Historic Gem Theater, the Million Dollar Courthouse.

Gold Point: Located just under three hours from Las Vegas, this lovingly restored ghost town offers overnight stays in original miner cabins at the Gold Point Ghost Town Bed & Breakfast for a vintage Americana experience.

Hamilton & Treasure City: Tucked into the Egan Range, Hamilton’s ruins offer a glimpse into its silver boom history, as a bustling business district in the 1870s. Debris found in the nearby Treasure City is a testament to the lifestyle and wealth of this 1870s boomtown: they’re all shards of oyster tins and champagne bottles.

Nevada’s ghost towns offer more than a photo opportunity — they offer an intriguing insight to the state’s enduring frontier spirit and rich history.

Start planning a ghostly adventure in Nevada at travelnevada.com/ghost-town