Colorful Colorado tends to conjure thoughts of crisp mountain air, world-class skiing, boundless nature, and of course, John Elway’s toothy grin. Beyond that, there’s gold in them thar hills! Or at least, there was. Left behind are many abandoned mines, tunnels, and towns—the ghostly remnants of communities long lost to time.

To take you down Colorado’s haunting trails of yesterday—and yes, we will gladly hold your hand—is

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Abandoned towns in Colorado

St. Elmo

Location: Chaffee County

Abandoned since: 1922

Is it legal to go in? Yes

The abandoned mining town of St. Elmo was founded in 1880. It had 150 patented mine claims and was a hub for receiving mining supplies by train.

However, by the 1910s, the area’s gold and silver mines were in decline, and in 1922, the railroad stopped servicing St. Elmo. The story goes that the remaining residents grabbed the last train out of town and never returned.

St. Elmo sits in the heart of Sawatch Range, about 20 miles southwest of Buena Vista, Colorado. It is legal to visit St. Elmo and walk around the area, but the property in town is privately owned, so you can’t start popping your head into buildings left and right (the ones that remain, anyway).

While you’re there, visit the

St. Elmo General Store

in nearby Nathrop. It sells antiques, T-shirts, souvenirs, drinks, and snacks and is open from May to October, weather permitting.

Ironton

Location: Ouray County

Abandoned since: Mid-1960s

Is it legal to go in? Yes

Ironton is another Colorado mining town that died a slow and agonizing death once the area’s mineral reserves dried up. It boasted one of Colorado’s biggest silver mines, as well as 300 buildings. More than 1,000 workers lived in the town at its peak in the early 20th century.

But hard times arrived in the 1920s, and the town slowly emptied out. The last remaining resident, a man named Milton Larson, died in the mid-1960s. Ironton essentially died with him.

You can visit Ironton’s ghostly remains today—it sits right off the gorgeous Million Dollar Highway, south of the town of Ouray.

Animus Forks

Location: San Juan County

Abandoned since: 1920s

Is it legal to go in? Yes

The first cabins of Animus Forks, Colorado were built by prospectors way back in 1873. The town eventually grew to 450 residents and had a saloon (of course), post office, general store, and hotel.

Life in Animus Forks was hard. Not only because this was a rough ‘n’ tumble mining town but also because the elements were relentless. In 1884, a staggering 25 feet of snow fell during a particularly bad blizzard. Residents had to dig tunnels from building to building in order to get around. And you thought El Niño was bad?

In the summers, residents usually headed south to nearby Silverton, seeking reprieve from Animus Forks’ elevation—a breath-shortening 11,200 feet above sea level.

By 1910, most of the mining operations had ceased. And by the 1920s, Animus Forks was completely abandoned.

If you’re made of sterner stuff, you can visit Animus Forks from May to October—the roads are not passable in the winter. During the summer, you should be able to get by with two-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive or 4WD is recommended.

Animus Forks lies 12 miles northeast of Silverton. The town sits on an unpaved road, part of a system of byways known as the Alpine Loop. Once you get to Animus Forks, there is a parking lot stocked with brochures from both the

Bureau of Land Management

and San Juan County.

You can enter the buildings in the town, but do so at your own risk—the structures are fragile.

MORE: The 5 best Colorado road trips

Abandoned tunnels and mines in Colorado

Argo Tunnel

Location: Idaho Springs

Abandoned since: 1943

Is it legal to go in? Yes

The Argo Tunnel was built in 1892 as a mine drainage and access tunnel, serving a nearby gold mine. The tunnel started in Idaho Springs, and ran over four miles, intersecting most major gold mines all the way to Central City.

The tunnel and gold mine were operational until1943 when a deadly accident closed the mine for good. Four miners were killed as they worked to build access and drainage for a nearby site.

Unknowingly, the miners severely weakened a wall between the Argo mine and a flooded mine. The wall held back water at a pressure rate of 500 pounds per square inch. When the water broke through the wall, it overtook all four miners at the blast location. A fifth miner noticed the lights suddenly shut off and the impending sound of water rushing through the tunnel—he barely made it out alive.

The mine adjacent to the Argo tunnel would have been shut soon anyway—the Federal Government closed all gold mining operations to concentrate on metals that would help the war effort. The mine and Argo tunnel never reopened.

Today, you can visit the Argo Tunnel site and Argo Gold Mine for

guided tours

, as well as gold panning lessons! Tours take approximately two hours.

Gold Camp Road

Location: From Colorado Springs to Victor

Abandoned since: 1988

Is it legal to go in? Yes

Set in Colorado Springs’ Bear Creek Regional Park, Gold Camp Road is part of a network of abandoned roads. It was initially built as part of a railroad in the 1880s, eventually becoming a toll road for cars and then a public road. It’s been closed to traffic since 1988 when Tunnel No. 3 collapsed and was never repaired.

There have been rumors flying for years that Gold Camp Road is haunted by the ghosts of dead railway workers who remain near the tunnels, where some were killed during construction in the 1880s. Curious explorers have claimed to see apparitions of men in cloaks while hiking through the area.

Even more haunting is the tale of an entire school bus of children who were killed in an accident long ago. According to lore, either the bus was struck by an oncoming train or a suicidal bus driver caused the accident.

Hikers have claimed to hear the laughter of children while traversing the tunnel remains. More creepy is that some claim to see children’s handprints on their window fog if they drive close enough.

The Gold Camp Road site can be visited on foot or by bike. Beware that during the summer, it is particularly popular with local teenagers.

Theresa Mine

Location: Victor

Abandoned since: 1961

Is it legal to go in? Not specified

The Theresa Mine sits on a beautiful piece of land near Victor, Colorado. The original wooden structure was destroyed by a fire in 1934 but was replaced by a steel structure that still stands. In its day, the mine produced roughly $2.5 million worth of gold, or 120,000 troy ounces.

However, the mine was abandoned in 1961 after exploration for further extractable minerals turned up empty. The remaining structure was left to rust.

It’s not clear if you are allowed to enter the mine site, so it behooves us to warn you against doing so. Walking the Vindicator Valley Trail System will allow you to get close enough for a look, but avoid setting foot on the property.

Abandoned interesting places in Colorado

Crystal Mill

Location: Crystal, Colorado

Abandoned since: 1917

Is it legal to go in? Yes

Crystal Mill is an old compressor station built in 1893, located on a forested outcrop above the Crystal River with water rushing below and mountain scenery behind it. The Mill is close to the ghost town of Crystal and about 20 miles southwest of the charming ski town Crested Butte, Colorado.

The Mill is a sight to see—the compressor used to power a water turbine to drive compressed air. This would power machinery and tools, as well as supply ventilation for silver miners toiling away in nearby mines. Crystal Mill was abandoned in1917.

Today, Crystal Mill is a major attraction for hikers and photographers, eager to snap shots of this rustic emblem of American industry amidst the Colorado wilds.

From nearby Marble (off Highway 133 on County Road 3), you can arrange Jeep and horseback tours. You can also hike and bike to the Mill, but be sure to pack food and water—it's about a nine-mile journey, and there are no amenities along the way. The Mill site is not accessible during the winter.

St. Francis Hospital

Location: Colorado Springs

Abandoned since: 2010

Is it legal to go in? No

Amid a prominent part of bustling Colorado Springs sits the abandoned St. Francis Hospital, which relocated in 2008 and is now St. Francis Medical Center.

But St. Francis Hospital (which was also a power plant—strange but true) still stands, even if it's abandoned and closed to the public.

From the outside of its old stone and brick entranceway on East Pikes Peak Avenue, you could almost be fooled into thinking the hospital is still running. But alas, it is not. Even if you see an odd light on in the building, make no mistake—no crazed endocrinologist is running phantom lab tests on ghostly urine samples (at least, as far as we know).

Tips for exploring Colorado’s abandoned places

Before setting off in search of Colorado’s abandoned sites, be smart and heed these tips ahead of any urban or rural adventuring:

Check the ownership/regulations of the site you want to visit: Ask permission to enter, if necessary. All sites except one (St. Francis Hospital) on this list are legal to explore, but do your research in advance to avoid trespassing.

Dress properly: Mind the weather, dress in layers, and be prepared for any sudden temperature changes—especially if you’re exploring sites in the wilderness. Pack snacks and water, just in case.

Do not take souvenirs: We know it's tempting to take a piece of abandoned Colorado home with you, but please don’t—this is disrespectful and can make locations inhospitable to future visitors.

Tell someone where you’re going: Or, bring a buddy to ensure you aren’t exploring any abandoned sites on your own.

Bring protective gear, just in case: Some abandoned sites, including mines and old buildings, may harbor harmful chemicals, surfaces, or substances, so bring a mask, gloves, and any other necessary protective equipment to avoid contamination.

Above all, be safe, and be respectful to the places you’re visiting. Not only will the ghosts thank you, but future visitors will, as well.

How to find affordable car insurance in Colorado

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FAQ

Is it illegal to visit abandoned places?

This depends on where you visit. It is illegal to enter private property without first obtaining permission. However, some abandoned places are open to the public (as are most places on this list). To be on the safe side, always determine ownership of any location you’d like to explore. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

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