Rural Wyoming is littered with ghost towns, relics left from the days of trail travel and prospecting. While most of these towns are home to eerie relics and remnants of buildings, one has been preserved and makes for a great day trip destination. Plan a visit to South Pass City!
This photo of South Pass City in 1870 shows just how busy it became when prospectors first found gold in the area.
Wikimedia Commons / Jackson, W.H. 301 jwh00301 - U.S. Geological Survey Photographic Library
Like all gold rushes, though, South Pass City’s heyday quickly passed, and its residents moved on to bigger and better things.
Tripadvisor / RozzyW
Today, South Pass is essentially a ghost town, with just a few residents who have moved back in to help restore and preserve the area history.
Tripadvisor / OnYourMarkTravel
South Pass was a popular trail town and telegraph stop before gold was discovered, and it had plenty of amenities which allowed it to expand rapidly when prosecutors moved in.
Tripadvisor / Vlo Z
One section of town is preserved as a State Historic Site, and it makes for a great day trip for anyone interested in history.
Tripadvisor / LilRedNP Be sure to visit in-season, as the road is not maintained from October to April. You’ll want a high clearance vehicle to get out here, in case conditions on the steep and rocky dirt road aren’t great.
The South Pass Historic Site preserves more than 30 buildings, and is well worth a couple of dollars in admission fees to get out and explore.
Facebook / South Pass City State Historic Site
The buildings preserved include an old school house, and when you walk in, you’ll truly feel like you’ve found a time machine!
Tripadvisor / TravelReviewer1983
There’s more to this area than just preserved buildings, too! You can still see the wagon trails from the settlers who were moving west.
Tripadvisor / PaMike
Mark your calendar for their Gold Rush Days festival and come out to feel like a prospector, participate in a scavenger hunt, and learn all about the history of this once-lively Wyoming town.
Facebook / South Pass City State Historic Site
Visit the South Pass City website, here, for more information about visiting this fascinating Wyoming ghost town, and to see their event schedule.
Wikimedia Commons / Jackson, W.H. 301 jwh00301 - U.S. Geological Survey Photographic Library
Tripadvisor / RozzyW
Tripadvisor / OnYourMarkTravel
Tripadvisor / Vlo Z
Tripadvisor / LilRedNP
Be sure to visit in-season, as the road is not maintained from October to April. You’ll want a high clearance vehicle to get out here, in case conditions on the steep and rocky dirt road aren’t great.
Facebook / South Pass City State Historic Site
Tripadvisor / TravelReviewer1983
Tripadvisor / PaMike
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: South Pass, Wyoming 82520, USA
