The Best Ghost Towns to Visit in Virginia
Some of the best ghost towns to visit in Virginia, like Wash Woods and Ca Ira, are also some of the oldest in the country.
Written by Sarah Gray
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
Load full table of contents
Virginia
boasts some of the country's most famous ghost towns, including Elko Tract, Union Level, and Wash Woods. Left to be reclaimed by nature, each provides the backdrop for unique stories, sometimes even older than the US itself.Even as Northern Virginia’s population explodes, growing exponentially every year, there are still remote areas of the state where only the shells of towns remain. While some are little more than piles of rock or old building frames, these ghost towns are rich in history and ripe for exploration.
You might have to travel some rocky roads to get to them, but
car insurance
super app Jerry
will keep your car covered as you venture out to visit Virginia’s best ghost towns.MORE: The 7 best road trips in Virginia
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Elko Tract
What is the story of Elko Tract?
Elko Tract is one of the most famous ghost towns in Virginia, but, interestingly, it was never really a town at all. Built during World War II, the site’s original purpose was to act as a decoy airfield diverting potential German and Japanese bombers from nearby Richmond.
To preempt damages from such an attack, the government built a false city, complete with businesses, homes, and even roads laid out in a pattern similar to Richmond’s.
In the event of an airstrike, the plan was to cut power to Richmond and divert it to Elko Tract, lighting up the “city’s” buildings, roads, and even decoy lights laid out to replicate nearby Byrd Flying Field and causing bombers to target the decoy instead of the airbase in Richmond.
Thankfully, the war ended before anyone had a chance to put this decoy to the test, and the land passed to the state of Virginia. The state government—which still segregated public facilities at the time—began converting Elko Tract into a mental health facility for African-Americans, but protestors soon halted the development, and the site was abandoned.
It is now known as Richmond’s Lost City.
What makes Elko Tract special?
Today, Elko Tract is off-limits to visitors and tourists, but in its prime, it was an example of just how sophisticated camouflage technology could already be in the 1940s.
- The decoy runways, hangars, and aircraft were built to look both real and as if they’d been camouflaged to hide them from enemy bombers.
- The Lost City’s decoy airfield and city streets can still be made out on Google Maps.
- A historic marker near the old airfield, located a few miles east of Richmond, is the only attempt that’s been made to preserve this historic site.
- Like so many old ruins, rumors have sprung up about Elko Tract—rumors that it was used as a nuclear testing facility or even an extraterrestrial detainment location.
How to visit Elko Tract
The short answer is, you don’t. The site is restricted, and recent development of the land by tech giants, such as Facebook, makes most of the area private property.
It’s important that this site not be forgotten, though, even if we can’t physically go there anymore. It exists as a kind of monument not only to human ingenuity and creativity during WWII but also to the sad history of segregation that haunts our recent past.
Key Takeaway Elko Tract is off-limits, as indicated by numerous signs surrounding the site.
Union Level
What is the story of Union Level?
Like so many towns that lost their commercial base when interstates cut out the need for smaller highways, the ghost town of Union Level was once a bustling stop on the 1800s horse and carriage line.
When this was replaced by the rail line in the mid-1800s, the town experienced a major blow to its bottom line, complicated by the now-looming Civil War. Like so many Southern towns, Union Level was all but destroyed by the Civil War.
The arrival of the Southern Railroad in the early 1900s brought with it a huge resurgence in commerce and tourism, and by 1920, the town held more than 20 businesses, including four general stores, two barbers, a pharmacy, a boarding house, a railroad depot, a bank, and even a motorcycle dealer. Union Level was in for another blow, however, along with the rest of the US—The Great Depression.
Except for a handful of businesses that hung on until the 1970s, the town never recovered, and it is now nothing more than a row of abandoned storefronts, homes, and a church.
What makes Union Level special?
Union Level offers a unique glimpse into what life may have looked like along a bustling 19th-century travel route.
- A picturesque country road is lined with old storefronts, homes, and a church.
- More recent remnants include an old gas pump displaying the price of about 35 cents per gallon.
- You get to see a lot of history for nothing more than the time it costs you to get there since there are no entry fees.
How to visit Union Level
Union Level is in Mecklenburg County, about 15 minutes west of South Hill.
To get to Union Level, follow US Highway 1 south from South Hill, then turn right onto State Route 664. The road comes to a T-junction after about three miles, where you’ll turn right onto State Route 663 (Busy Bee Road). Union Level is directly along the west side of State Route 663 about 20 feet past the T-junction.
There is no parking, and there are no services at Union Level, as it is not a maintained ghost town. Visitors are allowed to stop to see the town, but entering the buildings is not only prohibited but likely dangerous.
The nearest services are in South Hill.
Key Takeaway Union Level is free to visit and only a few minutes from a decent-sized town, so take advantage of this chance to see some history close up.
Wash Woods
What is the story of Wash Woods?
Legend has it that the now-abandoned town of Wash Woods was built by survivors of a shipwreck using the wood that washed ashore as their ship fell apart. Hence the ghost town’s name.
Whether or not this is true, using driftwood from shipwrecks along Virginia’s stretch of coast known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” became common practice. The small seaside fishing community thrived despite being cut off from the rest of the mainland by dense forest until beach erosion began to claim their settlement.
Villagers lived off the sea and the land, and by the late 19th century, the men of the village and surrounding areas had established the U.S. Life-Saving Service—a precursor to today’s Coast Guard—in Wash Woods.
Repeated storms in the 1920s and 1930s led all but the most loyal of the villagers to leave, and the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 caused even them to abandon the settlement. Today, the remains of overgrown cemeteries, a church, and a few ruins are all that remain in Wash Woods, which is now part of
False Cape State Park
.What makes Wash Woods special?
Because it is located within a state park, it receives a level of protection not enjoyed by many other ghost towns. This did not, however, stop vandals from knocking down the steeple once standing over the Methodist Church ruins.
- Because of its remote location, False Cape State Park and the ruins of Wash Woods are accessible only by hiking, bicycling, or boating, making it a particularly fine destination for nature lovers.
- The village’s church and many other structures were built using cypress wood that washed ashore from shipwrecks.
- TheWash Woods Environmental Education Centeris located in a converted 1960s hunt clubhouse and is open to visitors.
Key Takeaway Both the park and the Wash Woods ghost town are very remote areas to visit, so be sure to pack water and snacks if you plan to visit.
How to visit Wash Woods
To visit Wash Woods, you have to visit False Cape State Park, which can only be accessed by hiking or biking through the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge or boating ashore. The wildlife refuge and state park are located on the Southeastern tip of the state along the Atlantic Coast.
From Interstate 64, exit onto Indian River Road East. After 13 miles, turn left onto Newbridge Road, then right onto Sandbridge Road. Make a right on Sandpiper Road and follow this road to the parking lot next to Little Island Park. Parking fees of $5 per day are required Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Ca Ira
What is the story of Ca Ira?
Formally established in 1796, the ghost town of Ca Ira is located in Cumberland County, Virginia along present-day Route 632 near the Willis River. Ca Ira’s name translates to “it will go” in French and reflects the popular enthusiasm for the French Revolution in Virginia at the time, as it refers to a French marching song.
The “it” referred to is the Revolution itself, so to those who understood it, “ca ira” meant “the Revolution will triumph.”
Though the town was established in the late 18th century, it didn’t reach its high point until 1827-1860 when the Willis River canal made Ca Ira a hub of transport for the tobacco trade. Ca Ira was home to a merchant class with a population of about 210 with 40 homes, three stores, a mill, a tobacco warehouse, two taverns, and a Masonic hall.
Most importantly, the town’s most beloved and important building,
Grace Church
, was completed in 1843 and functioned not only as a place of worship but also as a gathering place for members of the community and the surrounding plantations. Ca Ira added a bank in 1850, but, like so many small Southern towns, it barely survived the Civil War. Of the several buildings that once made up this antebellum town, only Grace Episcopal Church, now on the National Register of Historic Places, and the fishing lodge that hosts the Ca Ira Fishing Club remain. Virginia Route 632 is still known as Ca Ira Road, though no other trace of the name remains.
What makes Ca Ira special?
There’s not much left of Ca Ira, but Grace Church is reason enough to make a visit. Designed by Dabney Cosby, a former assistant to Thomas Jefferson, the church is impeccably preserved as a brilliant example of the Jeffersonian school of architecture so prevalent throughout antebellum Virginia.
How to visit Ca Ira
To get to Ca Ira from Richmond, take VA-76 West to US 60 West. Follow for about 45 miles, then turn left onto County Road 652. Take an immediate right onto Ca Ira Mill Road/County Road 632, and the church will be on the right.
The nearest services are in Richmond, so be sure to fill up the tank and bring some refreshments for the ride.
Why you need good car insurance
If you’re planning a road trip, the last thing you want is to be worried about your car insurance policy. You want to know that you’re covered—whether you get a flat tire, need a tow, or find yourself in an accident.
Make sure you have the coverage to keep you safe on the road by shopping with
Jerry
, the super app for car insurance. Jerry will compare rates from the nation's top providers to provide you with customized quotes in seconds! Once you make your choice, Jerry will take care of all of the paperwork—so you can spend your time planning for your adventure (instead of filling out long forms). Want more protection? Get roadside assistance from Jerry for just $6.99 per month, which includes towing services, tire changes, fuel delivery, and more!
“Jerrymakes choosing new insurance as easy as grocery shopping. Even though I had a car accident within the past 2 years, Jerry found me a great deal with Nationwide–I went from paying $340 to $90 a month!”—Pan N.
RECOMMENDED
Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry
This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
Gabriella R.
Find insurance savings
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
4.7
