Nevada has more ghost towns than any other state in the country, more than 600 by most counts. These towns are the remains of once-thriving mining camps that rose almost overnight when silver or gold was discovered, only to collapse just as fast when the mines dried up. For real estate professionals, preservationists, or even adventurous buyers, ghost towns carry both fascination and caution. Some are nothing more than weathered foundations in the desert, while others still have standing buildings, streets, and even small populations.
Below are ten of Nevada’s most interesting ghost towns, their history, what’s left to see, and how they might connect to real estate opportunities or challenges.
Rhyolite: The Boomtown That Vanished
Rhyolite in Nye County was one of the largest and most famous mining boomtowns in Nevada. At its height in the early 1900s, it had electricity, water mains, a stock exchange, hotels, and even an opera house. The town grew quickly but collapsed just as fast when the mines shut down. Today, visitors see the remains of a train depot, crumbling buildings, and even an outdoor art museum nearby.
From a real estate perspective, Rhyolite’s location near Death Valley makes it appealing for tourism, photography, and creative ventures. However, the lack of water and utilities makes any kind of permanent residential development unrealistic. It is better suited for niche uses like heritage tourism or film projects than traditional real estate.
St. Thomas: The Town That Went Underwater
St. Thomas, in Clark County, was founded in 1865 by Mormon settlers. The town thrived for decades until it was submerged when Lake Mead was created by the Hoover Dam in the 1930s. When water levels drop, the remains of the town, foundations, and walls emerge from the mud.
The uniqueness of St. Thomas makes it a fascinating historical site, but as far as real estate is concerned, the risks are obvious. The land is federally protected, and the rising and falling water levels make it unsuitable for development. Its best use lies in historical preservation and tourism.
Goldfield: A Mix of Ghost Town and Living Town
Goldfield was once home to nearly 30,000 residents during the early 1900s mining boom. For a short time, it was the largest city in Nevada. Unlike most ghost towns, Goldfield still has a small population today, along with preserved historic buildings like the courthouse and old hotels.
For real estate, Goldfield offers opportunities tied to tourism, boutique lodging, and small-scale community revival. But challenges remain, infrastructure is limited, ownership may be fragmented, and restoration of historic buildings is expensive. Investors would need to focus on niche markets like heritage tourism rather than broad residential development.
Belmont: The Historic Courthouse Town
Belmont, also in Nye County, was a bustling silver-mining town in the mid-1800s. It once had banks, mills, saloons, and a grand courthouse. Today, the courthouse still stands, along with other structures that are in various stages of decay.
Belmont appeals to history buffs and anyone interested in restoration projects. The courthouse alone has drawn preservation efforts. From a real estate standpoint, Belmont could work for someone wanting to restore historic properties or create a heritage attraction. However, like most ghost towns, infrastructure is a major obstacle, and large-scale housing is impractical.
Pioche: Lawless but Still Standing
Pioche gained a reputation as one of the wildest towns in the West. Silver mining brought thousands of residents, and with them came shootouts, saloons, and violence. Today, Pioche has a mix of ghost town ruins and preserved historic buildings, including its courthouse and old saloons.
Unlike more remote ghost towns, Pioche has better access and some existing infrastructure. This makes it one of the more realistic sites for small-scale redevelopment. Boutique hotels, vacation rentals, or tourism businesses tied to its history could work here. Still, challenges like water availability and utility upgrades would need to be addressed.
Berlin: A Preserved Ghost Town in a Park
Berlin is located in Nye County and has been preserved as part of Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park. The town once thrived on silver mining, and today visitors can see original cabins, a large stamp mill, and even furniture left behind in homes.
Because Berlin is part of a state park, private real estate opportunities are limited. Development is restricted to what the park allows, which means concessions, lodging facilities, or visitor services. This makes Berlin a strong candidate for tourism investment, but not for residential or commercial subdivisions.
Aurora: Ruins on the Edge of Nevada
Aurora was a bustling mining camp in the 1860s, located near the California border. At its peak, it had thousands of residents, but today only ruins remain. Most buildings are gone, with only foundations and scattered remnants to mark the town’s past.
Aurora is extremely remote, which makes redevelopment almost impossible. The lack of infrastructure and access limits its real estate potential. However, the site could be valuable as a heritage tourism stop or a filming location, where its isolation actually works as an advantage.
Tenabo: Short-Lived Gold Rush
Tenabo sprang to life in the early 1900s during a gold rush, reaching a population of about 1,000. The town had stores, schools, and hotels, but quickly faded when the mines failed. Today, only minimal remains exist.
Real estate opportunities here are slim. Like Aurora, Tenabo is remote and offers little infrastructure. Its main potential would be for off-grid retreats, vacation cabins, or speculative land banking. But investors would face high costs and low demand.
Palmetto: A Town That Tried and Failed
Palmetto’s story is one of repeated attempts and failures. Silver discoveries led to multiple efforts to establish the town, but each revival collapsed. What’s left today are building ruins and scattered foundations in the desert.
Palmetto’s appeal is almost entirely historical. With no infrastructure and no surrounding population base, it is not suited for residential or commercial real estate. It could, however, attract history enthusiasts, photographers, or niche tourism operators.
Unionville and the Northwestern Ghost Towns
Unionville, along with smaller sites like Seven Troughs and Paradise Valley, represents a cluster of ghost towns in northwestern Nevada. These are closer to Reno and other population centers, making them more accessible than many other ghost towns.
This accessibility gives them a stronger potential for small-scale real estate development. Restored cabins, vacation rentals, or weekend getaways could work here, especially for people from Reno looking for a unique rural escape. Infrastructure is still a challenge, but being closer to modern towns makes the cost more manageable compared to remote desert ghost towns.
Key Lessons for Real Estate in Ghost Towns
- Infrastructure is the biggest obstacle: Most ghost towns lack water, power, and road access, which makes development expensive.
- Ownership and land rights matter: Some towns are on federal or state land, while others are privately owned. Buyers must carefully check titles, mineral rights, and easements.
- Preservation rules limit development: If a ghost town is designated as historic or part of a park, private development may be restricted.
- Tourism is often the best path: Hotels, museums, and tour businesses usually make more sense than housing or subdivisions.
- Restoration costs are high: Old buildings require extensive work to be safe and usable, often costing more than new construction.
- Market demand is niche: Ghost towns appeal to history buffs, photographers, and adventurous travelers, not the general housing market.
Final Thought
Ghost towns in Nevada tell the story of fast booms and sudden busts, shaped by mining, water shortages, and isolation. For real estate, they represent a blend of challenge and creativity. Investors and developers who approach them with realistic expectations, focusing on tourism, heritage, or unique getaway properties, may find value. But those hoping for large-scale development will quickly learn why so many of these towns were abandoned in the first place.
