7 Hidden Ghost Towns Near Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’ with its flashy casinos and partying atmosphere. But people rarely know about the off beaten paths leading to some of Nevada’s famous abandoned towns. Here are some of the ghost towns near Las Vegas that are a must-see.
Nelson Town
Nelson is one of the easily accessible ghost towns near Las Vegas. It is 45 miles away from the city in the heart of Eldorado Canyon.
Once an abandoned town, Nelson has slowly been restored to a thriving amusement park. Tourists describe it as the most photogenic ghost town in Nevada.
Nelson was one of the thriving towns during the gold strike era before being abandoned. Today it houses ruined buildings and vehicles that locals transformed into small museums of art.
Expect to see Frankensteined and bullet-holed vehicles in the massive Nelson car graveyard. Abandoned buildings house interesting artifacts like rattlesnakes preserved in a freezer.
The entire town is ridden with Cholla cacti and even has props used in movies like 3000 miles in Graceland. A trip down to the mines winds up a tour of this pristine ghost town.
St. Thomas
St Thomas is a ghost town that forms part of the Lake Mead National Recreation area. According to history, this town was once submerged in lake water before the land dried up from a drought.
St. Thomas has a rich Mormon history and is home to the Valley of Fire State Park. Even though it is abandoned, the town still boasts of a few amenities;
● A school
● Hotel
● Market place
● Ice cream parlor
Even though there is not much to see, St Thomas town still offers ample ground for a midday hike.
Rhyolite Town
Rhyolite is a ghost town you meet on your way to Death Valley park from Beatty. Despite being a ghost town, the area still boasts of a few standing monuments;
● A Bank Building
● Railroad Depot
● Store
● School
A highlight of Rhyolite town is the Goldwell Open Air Museum. This museum is famous for the surreal silhouettes of 12 ghosts that are a homage to the biblical ‘Last Supper’.
Besides the ghosts, the museum houses other interesting artistic impressions. An example is a huge sculpture of the famous Greek character, Icarus.
Calico Town
This is another ancient ghost town located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. In 1881, Calico was the largest silver ore supplier in California.
When the mines closed down, the town became abandoned before the 19th century. Later on, the Regional Parks System of San Bernardino county embarked on a quest to restore the town.
Today Calico has interesting things to do like
● Visiting the mines
● Exploring the museum
● Taking gold planning lessons.
If you wish to stay the night, you can book a room or a camping spot at the Bank House.
Gold Point
Gold point is partially a ghost town and a thriving bed and breakfast. The abandoned town is about 185 miles from Las Vegas and is owned by a Las Vegas gambler.
The total number of people living in Gold Point today is 7. They are mostly senior citizens who would not mind indulging you in the history of this desert town.
The town has the only Saloon that does not sell but accepts donated drinks. Other interesting things to see in the town include;
● Gold Rush Museum and Souvenir Shop
● A Functional Hardware Store
● An Old Telephone Switchpoint
● Chapel of the Desert
Gold point is a thriving tourist hub year-round. If you wish to spend the night, you can rent a cabin or camp under the starry skies.
Other fun things to do in Gold point include;
● Fossil hunting
● Family meals
● Shuffleboard at the Saloon
Panamint City
Panamint is one of the distant ghost towns near Las Vegas. It sits on the Panamint Mountains, Death Valley National Park, just 200 miles from Las Vegas.
In the 18th century, Panamint was a thriving town with a population of about 2000 people. Today the town is deserted and only houses one resident.
The resident will offer you a cold soda and take you through the history of the town. Some of the attractions in the area include
● Deserted vehicles
● Remains of a smelting factory
● Accommodation facilities for hikers
Though there is not much to see in Panamint city, the hike up the town is worth the time. It is a hike that takes you 4000 feet high through lush vegetation and sparkly puddles.
Two popular hiker’s cabins include Panamint Hilton and The Castle. Hikers are welcome to stay at the cabins and observe the cabin’s fire regulations. Also, get a hantavirus vaccine before visiting Panamint ghost town.
Belmont
Belmont is a 260-mile distance from Las Vegas town. The ghost town is located North of Tonopah and once a busy mining town.
Belmont ghost town sits 7433 feet above sea level and is perfect for escaping the Las Vegas heat in summer. Nothing much goes on in the area except for efforts to restore the town to its former glory.
Being a town in the desert, it is one of the best places to spot snow in winter. A Bed and Breakfast is coming up in the area to cater to the increasing hiker.
Though most of this town is rubble, some buildings in the area have stood the test of time. Some of the attractions in the area include;
● Old miner cabins
● Monito-Belmont Mill
● Susie’s Attic
● Dirty Dick’s Saloon
Tourists flock to Belmont for its serene environment and restorative touch. If you are not cooling off at Dirty Dick’s bar, you can explore amazing antiques at Susie’s attic.
Belmont has no electricity, gas stations, or hotels. Tourists are advised to carry enough supplies for a full-day exploration of the ghost town.
Conclusion
Though Las Vegas is famed for its international casinos and 5-star hotels, little is known of the hidden gems on the outskirts. For the wanderlust aching for the next adventure, there are plenty of ghost towns near Las Vegas that are rich in history, monuments, and artifacts worth exploring.