6 Ghost Towns with a Haunted Past: An RV Guide
There’s something undeniably captivating about ghost towns. They’re relics of a bygone era, filled with the echoes of miners, pioneers, and dreamers who chased fortunes and left behind empty streets and abandoned buildings. For RVers, ghost towns add an adventurous twist to road trips. You get history, atmosphere, and in some cases, an eerie experience that’s simply unforgettable.
And with Halloween right around the corner, there’s no better time to plan an adventure to that involves ghost towns. Exploring ominous ruins, hearing spooky legends, and walking through history with the family can give atmosphere to the season.
So, here are six ghost towns that combine spooky backstories with RV-friendly access, plus a couple of bonus picks if you’re chasing even more chills.
1. Book a Bone-Chilling Stay in Bodie | California
If you’ve ever imagined the perfect ghost town, chances are it looks like Bodie. Once a bustling gold rush settlement of nearly 10,000 people, today it sits in “arrested decay,” with over 100 structures preserved but not restored. Visitors have reported ghostly figures in windows, phantom music from saloons, and even a curse said to follow those who take souvenirs.
Must Do: Take the Bodie Ghost Walk & Ghost Stories tour (seasonal). It’s the perfect way to hear the town’s most spine-chilling legends as you wander the creaky streets at dusk.
RV Tip: While Bodie itself is day-use only, RVers can stay at Bridgeport Reservoir RV Park or Mono Lake campgrounds, making it an easy day trip. The last few miles to Bodie are on a dirt road — manageable for cars and smaller RVs, but big rigs should leave the coach at camp.
2. Bed-Down at Bannack’s Meade Hotel | Montana
Founded during Montana’s first major gold strike in 1862, Bannack thrived as a lawless boomtown before fading into obscurity. Its centerpiece, the Meade Hotel, is considered one of the most haunted buildings in the state, with reports of footsteps, voices, and cold spots.
Must Do: Step inside the Meade Hotel if you’re brave enough — or visit during Bannack Days in July, when the ghost town comes alive with reenactments, food, and music.
RV Tip: Bannack is now a state park, complete with RV campsites. Staying overnight here means you can walk the eerie streets after dark — if you dare.
3. Step into the Shadows of St. Elmo | Colorado
Nestled high in the Rockies, St. Elmo is one of Colorado’s best-preserved ghost towns. Dozens of wooden storefronts line the main street, and many visitors claim to see shadowy figures or feel a presence watching them. The town is especially photogenic, surrounded by alpine peaks and golden aspen in the fall.
Must Do: Explore the historic general store and wander the preserved main street, then head out on one of the nearby hiking trails to soak in the mountain scenery while imagining the town’s bustling past.
RV Tip: The ghost town has limited parking, so leave your rig at nearby campgrounds in Buena Vista or along Chalk Creek. Smaller RVs or towed vehicles are ideal for the mountain roads.
4. Sleep Not-So-Tight in Jerome | Arizona
Perched on Cleopatra Hill, Jerome is often called “America’s most haunted small town.” Once a copper mining hub, the town nearly collapsed before reinventing itself as an artist community and tourist destination. Today, you can tour haunted hotels like the Jerome Grand Hotel or join a ghost walk to hear tales of miners and mischief.
Must Do (If You Dare): Spend the night at the Jerome Grand Hotel, where guests often report strange noises, flickering lights, and encounters with ghostly former patients of what was once a hospital.
RV Tip: Jerome is steep and winding, so RV parking in town is limited. Base yourself at nearby Cottonwood or Clarkdale RV parks and take a short drive up.
5. Walk Through the Whispers of Rhyolite | Nevada
Located on the edge of Death Valley, Rhyolite rose and fell in less than two decades. Its skeletal remains include the crumbling bank building, a railroad depot, and the quirky Bottle House made of glass bottles. Many visitors report an unsettling feeling as they wander the ruins, with whispers of paranormal activity.
Must Do: Visit the Goldwell Open Air Museum, where ghostly white figures and desert art installations create one of the eeriest backdrops of any ghost town in America.
RV Tip: RVers can boondock nearby on BLM land or stay in Beatty, Nevada, where full-service RV parks are available.
6. Brave the Grave Haunts of Terlingua | Texas
On the edge of Big Bend National Park, Terlingua was once a bustling mercury mining town. Today, its ruins, cemetery, and abandoned buildings give it a haunting charm. Local legends tell of restless spirits in the old graveyard, while the town itself has developed into a quirky desert community that still embraces its ghostly roots.
Must Do: Wander through the Terlingua Cemetery at sunset, where handmade crosses and rustic shrines stand against the desert backdrop. If your timing is right, the Día de los Muertos celebration in early November offers a unique cultural experience.
RV Tip: Terlingua is one of the most RV-friendly ghost towns, with multiple RV parks in town and abundant boondocking options in the surrounding desert.
Bonus: Wildcard Haunts
If you want to go beyond classic ghost towns (or haunted roads), here are a couple of destinations with haunted reputations worth adding to your RV itinerary.
Centralia, Pennsylvania
An underground coal mine fire has been burning since 1962, forcing most residents to leave. Today, the empty streets, abandoned cemetery, and graffiti highway make it one of America’s eeriest modern “ghost towns.”
Must Do: Walk the Graffiti Highway — its eerie, colorful artwork over cracked pavement captures the surreal feel of a town lost to time.
Salem, Massachusetts
While not a ghost town in the mining sense, Salem’s haunted history is legendary. Known for the infamous 1692 witch trials, it offers haunted walking tours, cemeteries, and historic sites that attract visitors year-round.
Must Do: Visit during the Haunted Happenings festival in October, the largest Halloween celebration in the U.S., complete with parades, ghost tours, and candlelit cemetery walks.
One Last Haunt
Ghost towns aren’t just about ruins — they’re about stories. Stories of people chasing dreams, towns rising and falling, and legends that still linger in the air. For RVers, visiting these places adds an element of adventure and a dash of the supernatural.
And with Halloween around the corner, a ghost town road trip can make for an unforgettable seasonal adventure. Whether it’s a family outing filled with history, a fun way to get into the spooky spirit, or simply an excuse to explore somewhere new, these destinations prove that RV travel and haunted history are a perfect match.
So, pack your rig, bring your curiosity, and maybe a little courage — the road to haunted history is waiting.
Gabriel Rivero
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