A road trip from Santa Fe to New Mexico’s ghost towns allows you to explore the state’s captivating history firsthand, walking through the remnants of boom-and-bust settlements and imagining life in a bygone era. These towns connect you to the past, demonstrating the resilience and resourcefulness of early settlers while offering stunning, often haunting, landscapes.
Some of New Mexico’s over 400 ghost towns are on private property or have been entirely reclaimed by nature, but there are still several open to the public, each with its unique history and attractions.
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What Is a Ghost Town and Why Does NM Have So Many?
A ghost town is a community that once thrived but has since been abandoned, often due to a downward shift in its economy. Maybe hard times were due to the depletion of a key resource, a change in industry, or even the rerouting of transportation lines.
Many of New Mexico’s ghost towns were once thriving mining towns. The discovery of gold, silver, and other minerals drew settlers to the area. Mining companies often established these towns, but these were abandoned when the mining industry declined.
New Mexico’s boom-and-bust cycles, particularly in mining, contributed to the rise and fall of many settlements. The discovery of valuable minerals sparked rapid growth, but as resources dwindled or market conditions changed, some towns adapted and transformed, while others were abandoned, leaving only ruins.
New Mexico Ghost Town Road Trip from Santa Fe
Exploring the ghost towns in New Mexico offers a glimpse into the state’s rugged past, where abandoned mining camps and once-thriving settlements now stand frozen in time. Whether you’re a fan of Old West history, scenic landscapes, or the eerie beauty of forgotten places, these towns provide a unique adventure filled with storytelling, photography, and mystery.
Day Trip Destinations
Less than 150 miles from Santa Fe, these ghost towns and near-ghost towns are a day trip away. Some have amenities, but you might want to pack a picnic lunch for others.
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Cerillos
At a convenient 25 miles away, Cerillos is not exactly a ghost town, but with a population of fewer than 250 full-time residents, it counts as one. If you start your ghost town adventures here, you’ll find plenty of history in addition to modern shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Once a booming mining town, Cerrillos retains its Old West charm, with 19th-century buildings and ties to gold, silver, lead, and turquoise mining. As a filming location for Western movies like Young Guns, the town feels like a step back in time. Nearby Cerrillos Hills State Park offers scenic hiking trails and historic mining remnants.
Golden
Golden, a mere 37 miles away from Santa Fe, is a near-ghost town nestled in the Ortiz Mountains. It whispers stories of a gold rush that briefly brought it to life. Founded in the 1820s, making it one of New Mexico’s earliest gold camps, Golden experienced several boom and bust cycles as miners sought their fortunes.
Today, the quiet streets and weathered adobe structures offer a glimpse into its past, when the promise of gold drew dreamers and prospectors to this remote location. While much of the town has faded, the spirit of Golden’s pioneering days lingers, inviting visitors to explore its historic remnants and imagine the bustling community that once thrived there.
Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown, New Mexico’s first incorporated town, is 103 miles from Santa Fe in Moreno Valley. This ghost town whispers tales of gold and the fleeting nature of boomtowns. Once a bustling hub during the gold rush of the late 1860s, “E-Town,” as it was known, grew quickly, only to decline as the easily accessible gold deposits dwindled.
Today, the remnants of its saloons, stores, and homes dot the landscape, offering a hauntingly beautiful reminder of the town’s vibrant, albeit short-lived, past. Visitors can explore the quiet streets and imagine the throngs of miners who once sought their fortunes in this now peaceful valley.
Cuervo
At 126 miles from Santa Fe, Cuervo, a near-ghost town, was once a bustling stop along the historic Route 66. Now, it stands quietly alongside the roar of Interstate 40, which ultimately led to its decline. Visitors can still see the remnants of its past: a century-old Catholic church and a vintage gas station offer a glimpse into a time when Cuervo thrived as a vital link in cross-country journeys. Though much of the town is now a scattering of abandoned buildings, a handful of residents have stayed in the area.
South and Southwest of Santa Fe
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White Oaks
Just north of Carrizozo, White Oaks is a must-see, offering a glimpse into its gold-mining past at Carrizozo Peak. History buffs will enjoy exploring preserved buildings like the Victorian-era Gumm House and the 1893 Hoyle Mansion, built by a mine owner. A refreshing stop at the No Scum Allowed Saloon, formerly a law office, is a must, as is a visit to the Cedarvale Cemetery.
There, you’ll find the graves of Susan McSween Barber (wife of Alex McSween — see Lincoln below) and Deputy Sheriff James Bell, whose marker claims he was murdered by Billy the Kid. Ask locals about the unique placement of John Winters’ grave marker — the story behind it will amuse you.
Montoya
Montoya, a near-ghost town along Route 66, is a testament to the rise and fall of communities tied to major transportation routes. Once a bustling stop for travelers and traders, Montoya thrived with traffic flow along the Mother Road. However, the construction of Interstate 40 bypassed the town, leading to its gradual decline.
Today, visitors can still see remnants of its past, including the historic Richardson Store, a reminder of the days when Montoya served as a center for commerce and community. Though much of the town is now quiet and sparsely populated, Montoya’s story, etched in its remaining buildings and the memories of those who once called it home, resonates with those who travel this historic stretch of road.
Lincoln
Lincoln, near Ruidoso, was the site of the Lincoln County War. This conflict began when John H. Tunstall and Alexander McSween challenged the monopoly of Lawrence G. Murphy and James Dolan, who controlled local trade and law enforcement.
Tensions escalated after Tunstall was murdered, prompting his allies — including Billy the Kid and the Regulators — to seek revenge. The conflict led to bloody shootouts, lawlessness, and federal intervention. It ended with Murphy and Dolan’s faction retaining power, though many participants, including Billy the Kid, met violent ends elsewhere.
The community itself preserves many historical buildings from this era, offering a tangible connection to this dramatic period of Wild West history. The village holds an annual festival called Old Lincoln Days in August and still maintains an active post office.
Lake Valley
Lake Valley, a former silver mining town founded in 1878, experienced a boom after the discovery of the Bridal Chamber silver deposit in 1881, reaching a population of 4,000. However, the Silver Panic of 1893 and a fire in 1895 led to its decline.
Today, the BLM manages Lake Valley, allowing visitors to explore the restored schoolhouse and chapel via self-guided tours. The 48-mile Lake Valley Backcountry Byway offers a scenic drive through the surrounding area.
Hillsboro
Hillsboro, the former county seat of Sierra County, is now more famous for the Ocean Grove Hotel, which has been transformed into the Black Range Museum. This historic building, which once operated as a bordello, was owned by the colorful Sadie Orchard, who also drove the local stagecoach. Visitors can find information and directions for a walking tour of Hillsboro at sierracountynewmexico.info.
Kingston
Kingston, New Mexico, nestled in the scenic Black Range Mountains, is a ghost town that embodies the Wild West spirit of boom and bust. Founded in the 1880s after the discovery of silver, Kingston quickly grew into a bustling town with saloons, hotels, and even an opera house.
However, the silver boom was short-lived, and the town’s fortunes declined with the crash of the silver market in 1893. Kingston was never completely abandoned despite its decline, and it retains a handful of residents and well-preserved buildings. Visitors can explore its historic streets, visit the Percha Bank Museum, and imagine the lively atmosphere of this once-booming silver town.
Chloride
Chloride, a ghost town nestled in the Black Range mountains, echoes with the stories of a silver boom that briefly put it on the map. Founded in the late 1800s, Chloride quickly grew as miners sought their fortunes, leaving behind a legacy of sturdy buildings and a palpable sense of the past.
Though the silver eventually played out, and the town’s population dwindled, Chloride retains a captivating charm. Visitors can wander through its quiet streets, explore the remnants of its once-bustling businesses, and imagine the lively atmosphere of this remote and resilient community.
Pinos Altos
Pinos Altos, a historic mining town in the Gila National Forest, offers a glimpse into the Old West. Established as Birchville in 1860 after gold was discovered, it became Grant County’s first county seat, peaking at around 9,000 residents. The 1861 Battle of Pinos Altos, involving Cochise and Mangas Coloradas, and Judge Roy Bean’s mercantile operation in the 1860s are notable historical events.
Though its population declined after 1907, Pinos Altos was never entirely abandoned. It now attracts visitors interested in its historic buildings like the Pinos Altos Museum and Buckhorn Saloon and the area’s ranching history.
Mogollon
Mogollon, a ghost town in the Mogollon Mountains, was a wild and notorious mining town attracting figures like Butch Cassidy. Known as one of the “most wide-open towns,” it was rife with gunfights and claim jumping.
When the mining boom declined, it was eventually abandoned, though a small population now cares for the historic buildings. Visitors can explore remnants of its past, including saloons and hotels, and enjoy the nearby Gila National Forest.
Ghost Towns Not Open to the Public
Dawson
Dawson, New Mexico, is a ghost town marked by the prosperity of coal mining and the tragedy of mining disasters. Founded in the early 1900s, it quickly grew into a bustling company town with amenities like a hospital, theater, and golf course. However, Dawson’s history is tragically defined by two devastating mine explosions in 1913 and 1923, claiming the lives of hundreds of miners.
Though the mines continued to operate for decades, the town eventually declined after the closure of the mines in 1950. Today, little remains of Dawson. Dawson is not open to the public, but the cemetery, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is open to the public.
Shakespeare
Shakespeare is located on a privately owned ranch near Lordsburg and is occasionally open to visitors. The entire town was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It was originally a stagecoach stop called Mexican Springs but was renamed Ralston City when silver was discovered. A second boom occurred in 1879 after it was renamed Shakespeare. The town had a lawless reputation, with outlaws like “Russian Bill” meeting violent ends.
Steins
Steins, New Mexico, a ghost town perched on the edge of the vast Peloncillo Mountains near the Arizona border, offers a unique glimpse into the history of the American West, where the railroads played a defining role. Unlike many ghost towns born from mining booms, Steins emerged as a vital railroad stop in the late 1800s, serving as a crucial link for the Southern Pacific Railroad.
The town thrived as a bustling community for railroad workers and a supply point for surrounding ranches. The need for Steins diminished as the railroad modernized and steam engines gave way to diesel. The town gradually declined, leaving behind well-preserved buildings that now whisper tales of a bygone era. Steins is privately owned, and tours are not available.
Ancho
Ancho is a near-ghost town in the wide-open spaces of Lincoln County. It offers a glimpse into a past shaped by both industry and isolation. Founded in the early 1900s, Ancho was briefly a bustling center for brick manufacturing, its kilns even contributing to the rebuilding of San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake.
However, the town’s fortunes waned with the closure of the brick plant and the rerouting of a major highway, leaving behind a collection of weathered buildings and a quiet charm.
Today, Ancho has an active Presbyterian church, but most of the town’s land is privately owned and not accessible to the public.
Visiting NM’s Ghost Towns
When visiting a ghost town, it’s essential to respect private property and any restrictions that may be in place. Many ghost towns are privately owned, so consider this when exploring the area. Awareness of any safety hazards, such as old mines and abandoned buildings, is also essential. Some are in remote locations without cell service, gas stations, or emergency assistance. Be sure to bring extra water, food, and a first-aid kit, and ensure your vehicle is in good condition.
Wrapping Up Your Ghost Town Journey
From nearby Cerillos with its stores and amenities to far-flung Mogollon in the rugged Gila National Forest, each ghost town offers a unique window into a specific chapter of New Mexico’s past. By exploring these abandoned settlements, you can connect with the state’s history and imagine the lives of those who came before and the forces that shaped their destinies.
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This article was posted by Jesse Williams
