7 ghost towns that make for perfect spooky season spectacles in Colorado

Colorado has hundreds of sites that feature ghost towns and mining ruins, some of which are well-preserved with very interesting histories.

Here are seven ghost towns to explore during the spooky season this year:

Editor's Note: Be warned – October tends to bring snow to the Colorado high country. Keep weather in mind while planning your trip. It's also important to only go where allowed in ghost towns and abandoned mining ruins for the sake of preservation and safety.

1. St. Elmo

This former mining town was founded in the 1880s and is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the country. St. Elmo was considered a hub for supplies by train. It's said that St. Elmo's population rode the last train out of town and never returned. The town still has many original structures, including hotels, saloons, and dance halls. Visitors can even tour the mining roads, stay in a historic cabin, and shop at the general store that's open seasonally. Note: Depending on the time and date of your trip, this store may be closed during your visit.

2. Ashcroft

Located up Castle Creek Road, this silver mining ghost town consists of the remains of several historic buildings, including the Blue Mirror Saloon, a post office, and a hotel. The Aspen Historical Society operates from June-October and interpretive signage tells the story of the town.

3. Animas Forks

Established in 1873, this eerie ghost town is between Silverton and Ouray. According to Uncover Colorado , about 450 people occupied Animas Forks and it's cabins, a hotel, a saloon, a post office, and general store. The town, however, had become a ghost town by the 1920s. Animas Forks is located on the Alpine Loop, a system of unpaved roads, so visitors will need a four-wheel drive vehicle to reach it from Silverton. The mountain views surrounding this one are stunning.

4. Independence

As the first mining site in the Roaring Fork Valley, Independence is a ghost town located on Highway 82 just below the summit of Independence Pass. The short-lived town was deserted by 1900. Independence was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 to protect it from further deterioration, according to the Colorado Encyclopedia . At the time, Independence had 19 surviving structures and a main street.

5. Vicksburg and Winfield

Settled in Clear Creek Canyon between Leadville and Buena Vista on Highway 24, Vicksburg had 600-700 people at its peak. A little farther down the scenic route, you'll find Winfield, another ghost town "where not much remains but the spirits of disappointed miners."

6. Crystal

Although it's difficult to reach, Crystal, an old mining camp, still features many buildings and mining remnants around the town. According to Uncover Colorado , Crystal is "hidden away" on a dirt road six miles east of Marble. It had nearly become a ghost town by 1917. Plan ahead to visit this one – the road there is rough.

7. Carson & Old Carson

These two ghost towns sit off of the Alpine Loop and the road up Wager Gulch. The towns contain the remnants of two old mining camps. Carson, however, is now private property and visitors can only view it from a distance.

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