There are so many Idaho ghost towns that it can get overwhelming just thinking about visiting them all. Well, we’ve got you covered. This haunted road trip is the perfect place to start if you’re thinking about exploring the abandoned cities of Idaho. On the itinerary are some “classic” Idaho ghost towns (think of them as required reading) mixed in with some lesser-known towns (suggested reading). Ready for the most haunted weekend road trip of your life? For the complete interactive Google Map of the entire trip, click here.
Google Maps
- Wickahoney
Nicholas D/Flickr
Nicholas D./Flickr Wickahoney is a ghost town in Owhyee County. It’s hard to believe this place once had its own post office which doubled as a stagecoach shop. It’s not much of a town anymore, just a pile of barely standing ruins. Still, the eeriness is still there. As the first stop on your road trip, this is a subtly spooky introduction to the trip you’re about to embark on.
- Silver City
NikonFDSLR/Flickr
Jimmy Emerson/Flickr After Wickahoney, you’ll continue on to one of the most well-known ghost towns in Idaho. The number of buildings that are still standing in Silver City makes it one of the best ghost town experiences in the state. Silver City suffered the same fate as most Idaho mining towns in the late 19th century. At the time of its initial decline, the town had two hotels, six general stores, some lumber yards, and even a newspaper. You’ll find an eeriness in the fact that this quiet, abandoned town was once bustling and lively. It’s also home to the Idaho Hotel, one of the most haunted hotels in the state!
- Dewey
Jimmy Emerson/Flickr The town of Dewey had a hopeful beginning. However, a fire destroyed the highlight of the town, a huge three story hotel, and it was all downhill from there. The town is named after Colonel Dewey who bought the town’s mine and attempted to rebuild it, and even reconstructed the hotel. Still, the damage was done and Dewey went down with the rest of the mining towns. Only a few structures remain today.
- DeLamar
Grete Family/Flickr The next stop on the road trip is another mining town named after the man who founded it, Joseph R. DeLamar. DeLamar was actually quite successful as a town, and it earned itself about $8 million in silver ore. During its heyday, DeLamar had several stores, a hotel, a mill, and a school.
- Placerville
Jimmy Emerson/Flickr During its prime, Placerville had a population of over 5,000 people. Located 17 miles east of Horseshoe Bend in the Boise Basin, this town was once home to over 300 buildings! Although Placerville was the victim of many fires as is the case for many mining towns, several original structures are still standing today. Placerville fared better than most mining cities, and a few residents actually currently reside there. However, it still retains a ghostly feeling that serves as a reminder of its tumultuous past.
- Atlanta
Rand Snyder/Flickr Atlanta is located on the Middle Fork of the Boise River. Back when it was discovered, the town was only accessible by steep trails from the surrounding mountains. It produced millions of dollars worth of gold during its time as a mining town. Currently, Atlanta is a popular summer location because of the nearby campgrounds and fishing spots. A look at the original buildings from the town’s pinnacle is the perfect closer to this haunted road trip. Recently, a drone few over Atlanta and captured the most hauntingly beautiful footage.
What do you think? Think you will add this road trip to your adventure to-do list?
Google Maps
Nicholas D/Flickr
Nicholas D./Flickr
Wickahoney is a ghost town in Owhyee County. It’s hard to believe this place once had its own post office which doubled as a stagecoach shop. It’s not much of a town anymore, just a pile of barely standing ruins. Still, the eeriness is still there. As the first stop on your road trip, this is a subtly spooky introduction to the trip you’re about to embark on.
NikonFDSLR/Flickr
Jimmy Emerson/Flickr
After Wickahoney, you’ll continue on to one of the most well-known ghost towns in Idaho. The number of buildings that are still standing in Silver City makes it one of the best ghost town experiences in the state. Silver City suffered the same fate as most Idaho mining towns in the late 19th century. At the time of its initial decline, the town had two hotels, six general stores, some lumber yards, and even a newspaper. You’ll find an eeriness in the fact that this quiet, abandoned town was once bustling and lively. It’s also home to the Idaho Hotel, one of the most haunted hotels in the state!
The town of Dewey had a hopeful beginning. However, a fire destroyed the highlight of the town, a huge three story hotel, and it was all downhill from there. The town is named after Colonel Dewey who bought the town’s mine and attempted to rebuild it, and even reconstructed the hotel. Still, the damage was done and Dewey went down with the rest of the mining towns. Only a few structures remain today.
Grete Family/Flickr
The next stop on the road trip is another mining town named after the man who founded it, Joseph R. DeLamar. DeLamar was actually quite successful as a town, and it earned itself about $8 million in silver ore. During its heyday, DeLamar had several stores, a hotel, a mill, and a school.
During its prime, Placerville had a population of over 5,000 people. Located 17 miles east of Horseshoe Bend in the Boise Basin, this town was once home to over 300 buildings! Although Placerville was the victim of many fires as is the case for many mining towns, several original structures are still standing today. Placerville fared better than most mining cities, and a few residents actually currently reside there. However, it still retains a ghostly feeling that serves as a reminder of its tumultuous past.
Rand Snyder/Flickr
Atlanta is located on the Middle Fork of the Boise River. Back when it was discovered, the town was only accessible by steep trails from the surrounding mountains. It produced millions of dollars worth of gold during its time as a mining town. Currently, Atlanta is a popular summer location because of the nearby campgrounds and fishing spots. A look at the original buildings from the town’s pinnacle is the perfect closer to this haunted road trip. Recently, a drone few over Atlanta and captured the most hauntingly beautiful footage.
Looking for more spooky places to visit in Idaho? Check out this Haunted Road Trip To The Scariest Places In Idaho!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Atlanta, ID 83716, USAAddress: Placerville, ID, USAAddress: De Lamar, ID 97910, USAAddress: Dewey, ID 83650, USAAddress: Silver City, ID 83650, USAAddress: Wickahoney, ID, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Idaho ghost towns April 15, 2021 Jackie Ann Can I hike to abandoned places in Idaho? The aptly named Gem State has a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s when gold discoveries made in the area brought a booming population to the region. Relics of these old settlements can still be found today dotting the rugged landscapes across Idaho. Located outside of Boise, the historic Adelmann Mine is a remarkable time capsule of early American western expansion. Hikers can explore this remarkable destination trekking a 4.7-mile out-and-back trail that meanders through stunning terrain and scenic overlooks full of native plants and wildlife. The site of the abandoned mine offers a fascinating glimpse back in time where visitors can view the remains of a crumbling warehouse, outbuilding, and the original mineshaft. What is the most haunted place in Idaho? From spooky abandoned asylums to remote cemeteries, paranormal adventurers will find a vast network of creepy, hair-raising destinations to explore across Idaho. The infamous Old Idaho State Penitentiary is popularly regarded as one of the most haunted spots in our state. Since the 1870s this eerie structure housed some of the most dangerous criminals in the state for over a century and is rumored to be an active hotbed of ghostly activity to this day. Visitors to the penitentiary’s 30 historic buildings have reported being overwhelmed with terrible feelings of sadness and dread, feeling hands grab at them from the shadows and hearing ominous whispers echoing throughout the corridors. Can I go ghost hunting in Idaho? Ghost hunters across Idaho will attest to the bone-chilling amount of paranormal activity experienced at the Old Idaho State TB Hospital. This notorious site has a dark history which you feel immediately upon entering the grounds. The structure was originally built as a resort retreat in 1917 but was converted into a hospital for tuberculosis patients in the 1940s where sadly many of its residents never recovered. After closing its doors in the 1970s, the hospital was abandoned for many years before being renovated into a bed and breakfast. Guests have reported seeing a man in a white medical coat wandering the halls with a small girl and hearing whispers and heavy footsteps in empty hallways.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Idaho ghost towns
April 15, 2021
Jackie Ann
Can I hike to abandoned places in Idaho? The aptly named Gem State has a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s when gold discoveries made in the area brought a booming population to the region. Relics of these old settlements can still be found today dotting the rugged landscapes across Idaho. Located outside of Boise, the historic Adelmann Mine is a remarkable time capsule of early American western expansion. Hikers can explore this remarkable destination trekking a 4.7-mile out-and-back trail that meanders through stunning terrain and scenic overlooks full of native plants and wildlife. The site of the abandoned mine offers a fascinating glimpse back in time where visitors can view the remains of a crumbling warehouse, outbuilding, and the original mineshaft. What is the most haunted place in Idaho? From spooky abandoned asylums to remote cemeteries, paranormal adventurers will find a vast network of creepy, hair-raising destinations to explore across Idaho. The infamous Old Idaho State Penitentiary is popularly regarded as one of the most haunted spots in our state. Since the 1870s this eerie structure housed some of the most dangerous criminals in the state for over a century and is rumored to be an active hotbed of ghostly activity to this day. Visitors to the penitentiary’s 30 historic buildings have reported being overwhelmed with terrible feelings of sadness and dread, feeling hands grab at them from the shadows and hearing ominous whispers echoing throughout the corridors. Can I go ghost hunting in Idaho? Ghost hunters across Idaho will attest to the bone-chilling amount of paranormal activity experienced at the Old Idaho State TB Hospital. This notorious site has a dark history which you feel immediately upon entering the grounds. The structure was originally built as a resort retreat in 1917 but was converted into a hospital for tuberculosis patients in the 1940s where sadly many of its residents never recovered. After closing its doors in the 1970s, the hospital was abandoned for many years before being renovated into a bed and breakfast. Guests have reported seeing a man in a white medical coat wandering the halls with a small girl and hearing whispers and heavy footsteps in empty hallways.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The aptly named Gem State has a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s when gold discoveries made in the area brought a booming population to the region. Relics of these old settlements can still be found today dotting the rugged landscapes across Idaho. Located outside of Boise, the historic Adelmann Mine is a remarkable time capsule of early American western expansion. Hikers can explore this remarkable destination trekking a 4.7-mile out-and-back trail that meanders through stunning terrain and scenic overlooks full of native plants and wildlife. The site of the abandoned mine offers a fascinating glimpse back in time where visitors can view the remains of a crumbling warehouse, outbuilding, and the original mineshaft.
What is the most haunted place in Idaho?
From spooky abandoned asylums to remote cemeteries, paranormal adventurers will find a vast network of creepy, hair-raising destinations to explore across Idaho. The infamous Old Idaho State Penitentiary is popularly regarded as one of the most haunted spots in our state. Since the 1870s this eerie structure housed some of the most dangerous criminals in the state for over a century and is rumored to be an active hotbed of ghostly activity to this day. Visitors to the penitentiary’s 30 historic buildings have reported being overwhelmed with terrible feelings of sadness and dread, feeling hands grab at them from the shadows and hearing ominous whispers echoing throughout the corridors.
Can I go ghost hunting in Idaho?
Ghost hunters across Idaho will attest to the bone-chilling amount of paranormal activity experienced at the Old Idaho State TB Hospital. This notorious site has a dark history which you feel immediately upon entering the grounds. The structure was originally built as a resort retreat in 1917 but was converted into a hospital for tuberculosis patients in the 1940s where sadly many of its residents never recovered. After closing its doors in the 1970s, the hospital was abandoned for many years before being renovated into a bed and breakfast. Guests have reported seeing a man in a white medical coat wandering the halls with a small girl and hearing whispers and heavy footsteps in empty hallways.
