Last Updated on June 16, 2024
If you’re a fan of history and abandoned places, then you’ll love exploring the ghost towns of Utah.
These towns, once bustling with life, now stand as eerie reminders of what once was.
From abandoned mines to former Mormon settlements, there is a rich history to be discovered in these abandoned towns.
For urban explorers and those interested in the history and geology of the American West, the abandoned towns of Utah offer a unique window into the past.
Below, a list of some of the most fascinating ghost towns in Utah to visit.
Utah Ghost Towns
Iosepa
Located in Tooele County, Iosepa was a Pacific Islander town that was established in the late 1800s.
After converting to Mormonism, a group of Pacific Islanders were brought to Utah to be sealed in the temple.
However, they faced significant racism from the white population in the state, and the church established a separate town for them in Iosepa.
Today, the town is abandoned, but the remains of a pavilion and cemetery can still be visited.
To reach Iosepa, take I-80 west from Salt Lake City and exit at the Tooele turnoff.
Grafton
Located in Washington County, Grafton was a small town that was established in the 1850s.
The town was named after Grafton, Massachusetts, and it was originally settled by Mormon pioneers.
Grafton reached its peak in the 1870s, with a population of around 300 people.
However, the town began to decline in the 1880s, and it was eventually abandoned in the 1930s. Today, only a few foundations and ruins remain, making it a fascinating destination for urban explorers interested in the history of Mormon settlements in Utah.
To reach Grafton, take I-15 south from Salt Lake City and exit at the Hurricane turnoff.
Thistle
Located in Utah County, Thistle was a small town that was established in the 1880s.
The town was named after the nearby Thistle Creek, and it was originally settled by Mormon pioneers.
Thistle reached its peak in the 1890s, with a population of around 300 people. However, the town began to decline in the early 1900s, and it was eventually abandoned in the 1920s.
Today, only a few foundations and ruins remain, making it another interesting destination for travelers interested in the past of Utah’s Mormon settlements.
To reach Thistle, take I-15 south from Salt Lake City and exit at the Spanish Fork turnoff.
Eureka
Located in Juab County, Eureka was a mining town that was established in the 1870s.
The town was named after the Greek word for “discovery,” and it was originally settled by miners who were searching for silver and lead deposits.
Eureka reached its peak in the 1880s, with a population of around 3,000 people. However, the town began to decline in the 1890s, and it was eventually almost entirely abandoned in the 1920s.
Today, only a few foundations and ruins remain, making it a fascinating destination for urban explorers interested in the history of mining in Utah.
To reach Eureka, take I-70 east from Salt Lake City and exit at the Eureka turnoff.
Tekoi
Located on the Ute Indian Reservation, Tekoi is a former nuclear weapons facility that was abandoned in the 1960s.
The facility was built in the 1950s as part of a secret government program to develop nuclear torpedoes. However, the program was eventually cancelled, and the facility was abandoned.
Today, the site is off-limits to the public, but it remains a fascinating destination for urban explorers interested in Cold War history.
To reach Tekoi, take I-70 east from Grand Junction and exit at the Ute Indian Reservation turnoff.
Frisco
Located in Beaver County, Frisco was a mining town that was established in the late 1800s.
The town was named after the nearby Frisco Mine, which was known for its rich deposits of silver and lead.
Frisco reached its peak in the early 1900s, with a population of around 1,000 people. However, the mine eventually played out, and the town was abandoned in the 1920s.
Today, only a few foundations and ruins remain, making it a fascinating destination for urban explorers interested in the history of mining in Utah.
To reach Frisco, take I-15 south from Salt Lake City and exit at the Milford turnoff.
Silver City
Located in Juab County, Silver City was another mining town that was established in Utah in the 1870s.
The town was named after the rich silver deposits that were discovered in the area, and it quickly became a bustling center of mining activity.
At its peak, Silver City had a population of around 2,000 people and was home to several mines, mills, and smelters. However, the town began to decline in the 1900s, and it was eventually abandoned in the 1920s.
Today, only a few foundations and ruins remain, making it a fascinating destination for urban explorers interested in the history of mining in Utah.
To reach Silver City, take I-70 east from Salt Lake City and exit at the Eureka turnoff.
Corinne
Located in Box Elder County, Corinne was a frontier town that was established in Utah in the 1870s.
The town was named after the daughter of one of its founders, and it was originally settled by Mormon pioneers who were attracted to the area’s rich agricultural land.
Corinne quickly became a thriving center of agriculture and commerce, with a population of around 2,000 people at its peak. However, the town began to decline in the 1900s, and it was eventually abandoned in the 1920s.
Today, only a few foundations and ruins remain, making it a fascinating destination for urban explorers interested in the history of Utah’s pioneer towns.
To reach Corinne, take I-15 north from Salt Lake City and exit at the Corinne turnoff.
Allen Park
Located in Sugarhouse, Allen Park is an abandoned neighborhood that was reclaimed by the city of Salt Lake City in recent years.
The park is now open to the public and is a popular destination for those interested in urban exploration.
To reach Allen Park, take I-15 to Salt Lake City and exit at 2100 South.
Special Mention: Cisco
Located in Grand County, Utah, the small town of Cisco was first established in the 1880s as a saloon and railroad fill station.
It became a popular stop for travelers crossing the High Desert, but declining economic conditions caused the town to be completely abandoned by the 1990s, but not anymore.
No longer abandoned, the town is experiencing a resurgence thanks to Chicago-born visual artist Eileen Muza, who purchased the abandoned town and established an artist residency called Home of the Brave. The residency offers a one-month program twice a year and is largely funded through donations and Airbnb guests.
Cisco is located in the Mojave Desert and can be reached by driving approximately 310 miles south of Salt Lake City on US Hwy 89. The town has electricity and Wi-Fi, but no running water.
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