Me And Casper Are Hitting The Road

Utah is home to many ghost towns that were once thriving communities but are now abandoned and left to the elements. And a good number of these ghost towns are right around here. You could easily hit most, if not all of these ghost towns in a one day road trip around southern Utah. Some of these towns were founded in the mid-1800s during the gold rush, while others were established later on as mining towns. Here are a few of the most notable ghost towns in Utah:

Silver Reef

How many times have we blown pass this place going up or down I-15? Silver Reef was founded in the 1870s as a silver mining town. At its peak, it had a population of over 2,000 people and was home to several saloons, hotels, and other businesses. However, by the 1890s, the town's mines had been exhausted, and many residents left. Today, visitors can explore the ruins of Silver Reef and see the remains of the town's buildings, including a bank, a post office, and a Chinese laundry.

Grafton

Just off the road on the way to Zion National Park, Grafton was founded in the 1850s by Mormon pioneers, and at its peak, it had a population of over 150 people. However, the town was prone to flooding, and by the early 1900s, most residents had left. Today, visitors can explore the ruins of Grafton and see the remains of the town's buildings, including a schoolhouse, a church, and several homes.

Frisco

If you road trip from Cedar City to Ely, Nevada, this one is right on the way. If the weather is good and you have a decent off road vehicle, the view from the top of Frisco Peak is amazing. Frisco was founded in the 1870s as a mining town, and at its peak, it had a population of over 6,000 people. However, by the 1920s, the town's mines had dried up, and many residents left to seek their fortunes elsewhere. Today, visitors can explore the ruins of Frisco and see the remains of the town's buildings, including a hospital, a school, and a church.

Thistle

This ghost town is the one that is farthest from southern Utah. Many people may remember the giant landslide in 1983 that all but obliterated this tiny community in Utah County. Thistle was once a thriving town with a population of over 500 people. Today, visitors can explore the ruins of Thistle and see the remains of the town's buildings and infrastructure.

These are just a few of the many ghost towns that can be found in Utah. While they may be abandoned and in various states of disrepair, they offer a glimpse into the state's history and the lives of the people who once called them home. You can explore these towns and imagine what life must have been like for the pioneers and miners who built them. Sorry, Modena, you're not on the list....yet.