Colorado has a rich mining history that has shaped the towns and cities in the state today. These tales of shimmering gold, veins of silver, harsh conditions and joyous discoveries are enough to pique any of our interests, but it's the abrupt desertion of these thriving mining towns that draws our attention these days. 

Not every mining town struck gold — both literally and figuratively. Some towns soared in success only to crash down immediately, leaving behind only deserted husks of saloons, cabins and hotels. 

Here are a few of the abandoned mining settlements and ghost towns around Denver that are sure to send you back in time to Colorado’s earliest days. 

Ghost towns and mining settlements around Denver

St. Elmo

Est. 1880

Distance: 2hrs, 40 mins

Tucked away deep in the heart of the Gunnison National Forest, the once-bustling mining town of St. Elmo now stands quiet and still after nearly half a century of abandonment.

St. Elmo is one of the most well-preserved ghost towns in Colorado, with most of the business district structures still standing. It’s exactly what you think it looks like, too: there are old log cabins, an old-timey general store and the town hall, which, after a fire destroyed it in 2002, is being painstakingly restored. 

The height of the town’s success was just a decade after it was founded. After a prolific amount of gold and silver was discovered in nearby mines, the town’s success skyrocketed, and by 1890 there were five hotels, plenty of saloons, a newspaper office, a telegraph office, a school and even some dancing halls! The Mary Murphy Mine was by far the greatest source of wealth in the town producing millions’ worth of gold during its operation between 1870 and 1925.

Mount Vernon

Est. 1859

Distance: 30 minutes

This small town just half an hour west of Denver was never a mining town, but it served as a major transportation point between Denver and Central City. Supplies heading to the mining town passed through Mount Vernon, and all the gold was shipped through the town on its way to Denver. That route, which was the only one into the mountains at the time, was vital to the mining industry during the Gold Rush. That route became more and more travelled, and eventually it became Interstate 70 that we use today!

Although this town never had more than 200 residents at its height, it’s significance lies in the history and significance of the small supply town. In fact, the cemetery in Mount Vernon is thought to be one of the oldest cemeteries in Colorado! There’s a gravestone there dating back to 1860!

Homestead Meadows

Est. 1889

Distance: 1 hr, 30 mins

Located just east of Rocky Mountain National Park, Homestead Meadows is one of the only ghost towns that was not originally built on the mining industry.

Back in 1862, there was a law saying that a person could claim the title of a 160-acre plot of land if they settled and maintained it for five years. In 1889, the first family claimed a piece of Homestead Meadows and used the land for lumber and farming. The community never really took off, and the last of the residents left the area in 1952. 

You’re guaranteed more privacy and solitude when visiting this abandoned cluster of homesteads, as it requires a 2.5-mile hike through the forest to reach the settlement. 

Montezuma

Est. 1860

Distance: 1 hr, 40 mins

While this town isn’t technically a ghost town, as there are still a handful of people living there, Montezuma is a gorgeous destination to catch a glimpse into Colorado’s past. 

Silver mining in the area during the early 1860s brought prospectors and settlers to the region over Loveland Pass, and by 1880 the small collection of homes and buildings in Montezuma was a bustling mountain town with a population of over 10,000. The silver industry did not manage to sustain the town, however, and after poor luck and some pretty bad forest fires, the town declined sharply. Now there are only about 65 year-round residents living in the town, but Montezuma is still a popular destination for skiers, outdoor enthusiasts and hikers!

Teller City 

Est. 1879

Distance: 3 hrs

If you’re looking for some secluded camping in the midst of a truly abandoned ghost town, then Teller City is the place to go.

This old silver town was one of the largest towns in the mountainous Grand Lake region north of Gould in the late 19th century. The town was so successful that hundreds of homes, nearly 30 saloons and a 40-room hotel accommodated this thriving town. However, as most ghost towns tend to have in common, the decline in silver caused residents to leave the town in droves, and in 1902 the town was completely deserted, just 23 years after it was first built.

The Teller City campground has dispersed camping sites in and among the ruins of the old town, although it’s no easy task to reach the dilapidated town. There is a seven-mile drive through a forest road followed by a three-mile high-clearance route over a narrow pass.

Whether you’re a history buff, an outdoor enthusiast or are looking for a spooky spot to tell some ghost stories, these ghost towns and abandoned mining towns around Denver are the perfect places to go! Plus, they’re all just a short drive from our luxury Denver apartments, making for great day-trips or weekend adventures.

Have fun!

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Featured photos courtesy Pixabay/MikeGoad