’s ghost towns are hidden in plain sight. With former gold mining villages and mysterious mountainside disappearances, you have a lot to fear—er, to look forward to!

From Glastenbury to Lewiston, we’ve got four fantastic Vermont ghost towns queued up for your next adventure. Exploring most of them requires a bit of hiking, so plan accordingly. You may not find a ton of old buildings when you arrive, but you will definitely feel the creepy vibes.

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Ready for an adventure? Here are the four best Vermont ghost towns waiting to be explored.

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Glastenbury

View of Green Mountain Park on a clear day in Vermont

What is the story of Glastenbury?

Glastenbury has a disturbing history. From economic devastation to strange mountainside disappearances, this town has been through a lot.

There are only a few full-time residents left—and the area is full of eerie vibes. It’s said that the local indigenous population traditionally refused to hunt in the area.

Glastonbury’s story begins in 1761, when the Governor of New Hampshire chartered the town to take advantage of the lumber industry. However, the rough terrain discouraged settlers for almost 100 years.

Eventually, the first sawmill was built here in the 1870s. Soon after, a railroad and several charcoal kilns were established in Glastenbury. At its peak, the town had a post office, a boarding house, a schoolhouse, a blacksmith, and several stores.

Success did not last into the 20th century, unfortunately.

In 1898, a major flood wiped out Glastenbury’s infrastructure. By the early 1900s, all the mature trees in the area had been felled. Since there was little reason to remain in the area, people slowly left Glastenbury until 1937 when the town was officially unincorporated.

Then, in 1945, people started to disappear on Glastenbury Mountain, including an 8-year-old boy and a 75-year-old hiking guide.

Today, Glastenbury is known as one of the most haunted places in Vermont. It’s even called the Bennington Triangle. If you choose to visit this Vermont ghost town, don’t wear red. Supposedly that’s the color that

Paula Welden

was wearing when she disappeared into the mountains.

What makes Glastenbury special?

There’s almost nowhere more beautiful than southern Vermont. Glastonbury is bursting with stunning natural beauty—if you can forget about the eerie disappearances, that is.

The

Green Mountain National Forest

offers waterfalls, trails, and hours of outdoor entertainment.

If you want to spend the night in the woods, check out the Goddard Shelter on the Long Trail.

The view from the summit of Glastenbury Mountain is unforgettable.

Hike some of the Long Trail while exploring the site of a world-famous ghost town.

You must hike to the site of Glastenbury on foot. There’s no way to drive to the actual ghost town. Take extra caution in winter weather.

Pro Tip This area is so creepy that it led to the creation of the Vermont State Police. Keep your wits about you!

How to visit Glastenbury

Glastenbury Mountain is about an hour and a half drive from Bennington. It’s worth stopping in Bennington to check out the Bennington Village Cemetery before you hike. The hike itself is a 36-kilometer out-and-back trail.

Head east from Bennington on Main Street/VT-9. If you want to hike from town, head for the Molly Stark Trail. Otherwise, head to the LT/AT Trailhead and park.

You can also approach the mountain from the north, via the Stratton Mountain Trailhead. If you park here and then head for Glastenbury’s peak, it will cut your hiking time in half.

Pro Tip Reviews say that the trail is not very well maintained. Do your own research and don’t be afraid to turn back.

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Ricker Basin

What is the story of Ricker Basin?

Ricker Basin was established by Joseph Ricker in the 1800s.

Originally a farming community, Ricker Basin did not have an easy existence. First, residents had to clear rocks and stumps from the land to facilitate agriculture. The steep terrain and poor soil quality made life extremely difficult.

The timber industry eventually came to prominence in Ricker Basin, and three sawmills brought hope to the 50 families struggling to survive. From 1916 to 1922, a steam-powered sawmill was a resource for supplies in World War I. It employed 35 men and 44 teams of horses before shutting down in 1922.

Eventually, a flood in 1927 destroyed much of the town’s infrastructure. A second flood in 1934 pushed out the remaining residents who had fought so hard to stay in Ricker Basin.

Finally, the Waterbury Dam and Reservoir were built, which completely submerged the town.

The

creepiest part of Ricker Basin

is that you never know what you’ll stumble upon.

Years ago, a man camped out in the Ricker Basin area and accidentally used a broken bit of gravestone to create a firepit in the dark. He awoke in the night to hear someone tugging at his tent straps. In the morning, the tent straps were cut clean—and the bit of stone was in the center of the firepit.

Today, the area is called Little River State Park. The only buildings left standing are a vandalized farm and a few scattered stone foundations.

What makes Ricker Basin special?

It’s not often that you can visit the site of a submerged town. There’s not much to see in Ricker Basin since the reservoir flooded the area completely. However, this place is special for several reasons.

Waterbury is the nearest town, and it’s full of historic sites.

The state forests and hiking trails of Vermont offer unparalleled natural beauty.

Ricker Cemetery is open to visitors—and supposedly the founder is buried here in an unmarked grave. Take the Hedgehog Hill Loop Trail for ½ mile north to find the cemetery.

The Waterbury Dam is an exciting destination for all ages to explore.

The decrepit Almeron Goodell farmhouse is still standing, though it’s full of brambles and guano.

You’re likely to discover items belonging to the original Ricker families in the forest.

There is a tradition on Ricker Mountain for hikers to display their artifacts along the trail. If you find anything from generations past, consider leaving it here for future explorers to enjoy.

How to visit Ricker Basin

Head to Little River State Park to visit the former site of this Vermont ghost town. The day-use fee for adults is $4.

The park is located on Little River Road, just off River Road. Waterbury is only 10 minutes away, and Montpelier is only 25 minutes away by car.

Wear sturdy hiking shoes and avoid hiking in muddy conditions. Plan to spend a day (or several days) to make the most of your visit.

In addition to exploring the Ricker Basin ghost town, you can hike, fish, swim, and spend hours of quality time with loved ones here. There are remote campsites as well as RV pads and tent sites.

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Plymouth Five Corners

What is the story of Plymouth Five Corners?

Have you ever heard of the Vermont Gold Rush? This town was at the epicenter of this little-known historic event.

Originally known as Saltash, the town of Plymouth Five Corners was founded in 1787. For a time, the locals made a sustainable living raising chickens, goats, and small-scale crops.

Everything changed in 1858 when William Henderson discovered gold in the village stream. Henderson was a former California gold miner and knew the town could make a fortune. When news spread, the Plymouth Five Corners became bustling with visitors eager to strike it rich.

For a few short years, the town was bustling. It had a lively saloon, general stores, a schoolhouse, a sawmill, hotels, a post office, and the Plymouth Gold Mining Company.

Unfortunately, a greater source of gold was not discovered. The town’s minuscule amount of placer gold was eventually completely mined out of the creeks. When the wealth was gone, the town shut down.

Today, you can still see the Five Corners Mine nearby. Meander the paths used by gold miners a hundred years ago and peek into the cellar holes left behind.

The fascinating geology of this area alone is worth a visit, as you can see tremolite, antigorite, and talc embedded in schist from more than 485 million years ago.

What makes Plymouth Five Corners special?

If buried treasure gets your heart pumping, you’ll love Plymouth Five Corners. Here, you have the special opportunity to explore a Vermont ghost town, look for gold, and experience unique geological formations.

Located in the Appalachian Highlands, the surrounding region offers beautiful views and unique rocks.

Plymouth State Park offers 295 acres of outdoor activities for all ages.

Come face-to-face (or close) with 165 ghostly former residents at the Plymouth Five Corners Cemetery.

The Five Corners Mine and Camp Plymouth State Park are great places to explore historic sites up close.

Pro Tip This area is popular among mountain bikers, so please share the trail.

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How to visit Plymouth Five Corners

The Five Corners Historic District has a lot to offer, including the ghost town of Plymouth Five Corners. You won’t find much to mark the area except stone foundations and old mining paths.

We recommend you start at the cemetery. From Ludlow, take 100 N and after 20 minutes, take the exit for 100A-N. Turn right onto Skim Milk Road and keep right onto Bradley Hill Road. Finally, turn left onto Five Corners Cemetery Rd.

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Lewiston

What is the story of Lewiston?

The empty ghost town of Lewiston reveals little of the bustling community that once thrived on the Connecticut River.

Founded in 1765, Lewiston was a railroad town. Its location was critically important for distributing coal to the region. A grist mill, a sawmill, a bark mill, and a tannery sprang up in Lewiston to supply the local area.

The location was also strategic for transportation, and a ferry business operated for many years across the river.

Though the town grew very prosperous, its success could not last.

Lewiston rapidly exhausted its natural resources. Once the timber was gone—and the railroad became less important—Lewiston no longer attracted business. Soon, oil was discovered in a neighboring town. This town could not compete with the likes of Norwich and Hanover.

By the 1930s, Lewiston was slowly decreasing in population. In 1934, its original covered bridge was replaced with a steel structure. Construction of the Wilder Dam in 1950 flooded many of the low-lying farm areas.

In 1967, the town was empty enough that bulldozers razed Lewiston’s few buildings to create a new highway for I-91.

Today, only the railroad station and a few buildings remain near the Vermont border of the Ledyard Bridge. The village is completely abandoned and the area is owned by Dartmouth College thanks to a purchase in the 1980s.

What makes Lewiston special?

There aren’t many ghost towns that are owned by educational institutions. Lewiston is a picturesque location with a well-documented history that goes back several hundred years.

The area in Lewiston has evolved over the years, and visitors can walk through living history along the banks of the river.

Foley Park abuts the Ledyard Bridge and is a great spot for a picnic.

Old buildings like the warehouse and the railway station are still standing just a quick walk north of the river.

A coal trestle is nestled in the woods.

Be aware that the rail depot is private property. Stick to the river banks and explore by foot in public areas. River Road, which parallels the old railroad line, will reveal some of the best treasures.

How to visit Lewiston

Lewiston is about two minutes west of Hanover,

New Hampshire

. Walk across the Ledyard Bridge from Dartmouth or park in the Lewiston parking lot. Prepare to explore on foot.

We recommend setting your navigation device to the Ledyard Free Bridge.

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