6 Ghost Town Day Trips To Take From Downtown Las Vegas

Here’s an interesting bit of trivia for you. Did you know that the state of Nevada has more ghost towns than towns that are populated? And luckily for Las Vegas visitors, some of those are located within a short drive from the city. The next time you want to take a frighteningly good day trip, consider visiting these 5 ghost towns during your next visit to Las Vegas:

• Belmont and Manhattan – although the drive to these two ghost towns will make for an extensive day trip (and possibly an overnight stay in Tonopah) it will be well worth the adventure. Belmont and Manhattan have often been referred to as the “Dynamic Duo of Living Ghost Towns”, and for good reason. Interestingly enough, Manhattan was born when Belmont’s mining boom went bust and its townspeople packed up and went to find their fortune here in 1908.

• Goodsprings – just 40 minutes southwest of downtown Las Vegas is Goodsprings, another former Nevada boomtown of the early 1900’s. There’s a century-old school that local children still attend, the Sagebrush Saloon, and the legendary Pioneer Saloon (est. 1913) that still serves great burgers and steaks. Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time for this day trip as there is a lot to take in.

• Nelson – formerly known as El Dorado, you’ll find this ghost town nestled in Eldorado Canyon 45 miles south and slightly east of downtown Las Vegas. It is known for the Techatticup Mine which at one time was Nevada’s richest, oldest, and most famous gold mine. You can tour the mine and if you prefer, go canoeing or kayaking on the nearby Colorado River.

• Rhyolite – located approximately 2 hours north and west of downtown Las Vegas, is the once profitable Bullfrog Mining District in the town of Rhyolite. It has often been referred to as the “most photographed ghost town in Nevada”, especially during “golden hour” (the period just after sunrise and just before sunset). Be sure you visit the Tom Kelly Bottle House which got its name from the 50,000 glass bottles it was built from. It is a unique experience to see it in person.

• St. Thomas – once mistaken as part of Utah by Mormon settlers, St. Thomas was completely flooded when the Hoover Dam was finalized. This now abandoned farming town had a population of 500 at one time. Today, you can explore the roads and trails that once were a part of this Wild West town.

Before heading out on your ghost town day trip adventures, be sure to book a room at the Downtowner Boutique Hotel. Call us today at (702) 553-2553 and let us make your stay comfortable.