25 Mining Towns In America That Are A Must-Visit For Tourists

Gold, grit, and ghost stories—America’s old mining towns hold a history that refuses to fade. Some buzz with modern-day visitors, while others sit in quiet solitude, whispering tales of fortune and hardship. Every worn-down saloon and weathered street has a story to share. Get ready to explore 25 incredible mining towns that bring the past to life.

Leadville, Colorado

At an elevation that leaves you breathless, Leadville sits proudly as the highest incorporated city in the U.S. It’s no surprise that this old silver mining town has a rich, colorful history. When you visit, expect to wander past historic saloons and imagine life at 10,000 feet.

Virginia City, Nevada

Virginia City is the kind of place where you can almost hear the clinking of miners’ tools in the air. This dusty town helped turn Nevada into the “Silver State.” The preserved saloons and wooden sidewalks of Virginia City ensure it remains a living symbol of the wild, frontier days.

Bodie, California

As you stroll through its decaying buildings, the scent of history lingers in the air. Abandoned since the 1940s, Bodie was once California’s second-largest gold mining town. Today, it stands as a blend of eerie and fascinating that makes you feel like you’ve entered a Western film set.

Jerome, Arizona

Imagine a town perched precariously on a cliff, clinging to its copper mining roots. That’s Jerome for you—an old mining mecca turned artistic haven. Exploring Jerome feels like discovering secrets: vibrant murals and the lingering aura of its haunted mining past.

Cripple Creek, Colorado

Cripple Creek was a glittering symbol of the late 1800s gold rush. Today, this charming town welcomes visitors with its Gold Rush charm and a dash of modern flair. Wandering its historic district, there’s no better way to end your day than to spin the wheel in one of its lively casinos.

Saint Elmo, Colorado

This town holds echoes of the gold rush era, when miners and traders filled its streets. Walking through its snow-covered streets during winter feels like stepping into an old Western. Be prepared to meet some wildlife along the way, as the town is just as much a part of nature as it is history.

Garnet, Montana

Garnet offers a peek into a gold rush-era community that flourished and then faded into the mountainside. Its hauntingly quiet streets are perfect for anyone seeking to connect with the past in a truly secluded environment. Explore its abandoned stores and homes; each one tells a tale of hopes and hardships.

Silverton, Colorado

A town of Victorian charm, Silverton is framed by some of Colorado’s most stunning mountain views. Once a thriving silver-mining town, it still retains that bustling frontier energy despite its quiet presence. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the surrounding peaks dusted in snow.

Oatman, Arizona

Oatman might just be the wildest ghost town on Route 66. Forget the usual tourist attractions—here, the wild burros outnumber the humans, and they’re as much a part of the town as the miners once were. Strolling through Oatman feels like being transported into a living, breathing Western film.

Columbia, California

Step into a living gold rush era at Columbia, where cobblestone streets meet period-perfect shops and stagecoach rides. This state park allows you to experience mining history in the most hands-on way possible. Try your luck at panning for gold, like the miners did over 150 years ago.

Butte, Montana

Experience the “Richest Hill on Earth” in Butte, Montana. Established in the 1860s, this mining town boomed with copper production. Now, you can tour the World Museum of Mining and explore over 50 historic buildings, immersing yourself in its vibrant mining heritage.

Calico, California

A boom-and-bust town, Calico sprang to life in 1881 when silver fever hit. It churned out millions before its veins dried up, leaving it for dead—until Walter Knott (of Knott’s Berry Farm fame) stepped in and revived it as a tourist attraction. Unlike most ghost towns, Calico proudly wears its Disney-esque restoration.

Kennecott, Alaska

Kennecott looks like something out of a Wild West-meets-Arctic survival movie. A hundred years ago, miners hauled out over $200 million worth of copper, but nature had other plans. The entire town is now frozen in time—literally—trapped between glaciers and towering peaks. 

Bisbee, Arizona

Once a rowdy copper mining town, Bisbee did the unthinkable—it traded its dusty persona for a bohemian soul. The tunnels that once held sweaty miners now hold ghost tours, and historic hotels have swapped hard-drinking cowboys for artists, musicians, and poets. 

Dahlonega, Georgia 

Before California’s gold rush stole the spotlight, Dahlonega was the ultimate gold hunter’s paradise. It had everything—big nuggets, wild prospectors, and a U.S. Mint churning out gold coins like candy. Unlike many mining towns, Dahlonega never let go of its golden roots. 

Eureka, Nevada

Smack in the middle of nowhere; Eureka once had so much silver it built 16 smelters to keep up with the rush. Miners called it the “Pittsburgh of the West” before the mines started drying up. But here’s the kicker—Eureka never fully faded away.

Ouray, Colorado

Ouray looks more like an Alpine postcard than a Wild West mining town. The real treasure, though, turned out to be the steaming hot springs bubbling beneath the town. After a long day of hiking through old mining ruins, nothing beats soaking in naturally heated pools while staring up at snow-capped peaks.

Deadwood, South Dakota

Few mining towns can feature the kind of rowdy reputation Deadwood had. Gold turned it into a lawless Wild West paradise where outlaws like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane made a name for themselves. The entire town is a National Historic Landmark.

Central City, Colorado

They called this place “The Richest Square Mile on Earth” when gold fever struck in the mid-1800s. While miners dug up fortunes, someone decided to build a fancy opera house—because why not? The town’s haunted cemetery has more stories than a history book.

Wallace, Idaho 

Wallace doesn’t mess around. Not only did it produce more silver than just about anywhere else in the U.S., but it also made sure people would never forget it. In 2004, the town declared itself “The Center of the Universe,” and honestly, nobody can prove otherwise. 

Telluride, Colorado

Everyone knows Telluride as a swanky ski resort now, but back in the 1800s, it was one of the richest mining hubs in the Rockies. What really sets it apart? It was the first town in the world to be powered by Tesla’s AC electric system.

Philipsburg, Montana 

Gold and silver built Philipsburg, and tourists come from all over to sift through the gravel and (hopefully) find their own precious stones. Also, most people stop by for the massive candy store, home to some of the biggest homemade jawbreakers and old-school sweets you’ll ever see. 

Nevada City, Montana 

Step into Nevada City, and you might think you’ve accidentally fallen through a time portal. This entire town is a carefully preserved 19th-century mining camp, with original cabins, a working music hall, and even player pianos that still belt out old-timey tunes. 

Idaho Springs, Colorado

Ever wonder where Colorado’s entire gold rush madness began? Look no further than Idaho Springs, where, in 1859, prospectors found glittering riches in Clear Creek. The town is also famous for its geothermal caves—so after all that gold-digging, you can soak in some steamy hot springs.

Jacksonville, Oregon 

Jacksonville was a full-fledged gold rush town in the 1850s. But once the gold dried up, the town somehow missed the industrial train—literally. Fast-forward to today, and it’s one of Oregon’s best wine destinations, with rolling vineyards taking over where the mines left off.