The mining boom of the late 19th century saw the rise of dozens of small towns and settlements across the Arizona Territory. These later led to small communities and business ventures becoming established as Arizona moved into statehood and modernity, especially when Route 66 was opened. However, nothing lasts forever and many of these places were later abandoned. Today, they are creepy ghost towns in Arizona.

A ghost town is defined as an abandoned place with some structures still standing. Some areas continue to house a small number of residents and these are typically referred to as living ghost towns.  If you are looking to explore some spooky, abandoned towns in Arizona, check out some of these ghost towns.

1. Chloride

Chloride, AZ 86431, USA
matthigh/Flickr
You've probably driven past this town on your way to Las Vegas. Founded as a silver mining town in 1863, this is considered a living ghost town since the area still holds a population of 352.

2. Cordes

Cordes, AZ 86333, USA
immeemz/Flickr
Sitting in the middle of Arizona, Cordes was founded in 1883 by John Henry Cordes. He named it after himself after Antelope Junction was denied by the postal service. The town was abandoned in the 1950s but descendants of the Cordes family reportedly still live in the area.

3. Fairbank

Fairbank, AZ 85616, USA
mlhradio/Flickr
The first true ghost town on our list, Americans settled Fairbank in 1881 and it never quite saw 500 people for its total population. The town was abandoned in the 1970s and later acquired by the Bureau of Land Management for conservation purposes.

4. Gleeson

Gleeson, AZ 85610, USA
Barb Mayer/Flickr
This area has been almost entirely abandoned for more than 60 years after seeing a mining hey day. The old jail was recently renovated into a museum about the area.

5. Goldfield

Goldfield Ghost Town and Mine Tours Inc., 4650 N Mammoth Mine Rd, Apache Junction, AZ 85119, USA
richiepooh/Flickr
This town only saw a 5 year life before being abandoned in 1897. However, it experienced a brief revival in the 1920s and was temporarily renamed Youngsberg before being abandoned again in 1926.

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6. Oatman

Oatman, AZ 86433, USA
Jasperdo/Flickr
Unlike nearly all the other ghost towns on this list, you'll have a difficult time experiencing a secluded, abandoned feeling here. Technically a living ghost town, it is now a popular tourist attraction between Kingman and Needles, California.

7. Pearce

Pearce, AZ 85625, USA
StellarD/Wikimedia
You'll still find a few people living here but the former mining town experienced almost an entire population decrease by the 1940s when the nearby mine closed.

8. Ruby

Ruby, AZ 85621, USA
Sherry Nelson/Flickr
Another former mining town, this is one of the best preserved ghost towns in the state. The post office opened in 1912 but mining operations started as early as 1877, eventually seeing a population of 1200 by the 1930s. Be prepared to pay a small fee for visiting the site; this helps to maintain the buildings.

9. Sasco

East Sasco Road, E Sasco Rd, Red Rock, AZ, USA
Joe Abbruscato/Flickr
Named after the Southern Arizona Smelter Company, only a few ruins of buildings still stand. The town was abandoned in 1921 and most of the buildings were demolished a decade later. Unfortunately, the area has suffered heavy vandalism since it has become a popular spot for paintballers.

Explore this AZ ghost town a little further in this YouTube video from Abandoned and Lost:

10. Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake, Arizona 85550, USA
lightcraft/Flickr
A former resort sitting between Globe and Pinetop, Seneca Lake was built and abandoned in the 1970s.

11. Two Guns

Two Guns, AZ 86047, USA
brodieshadetree/Flickr
Sitting on the Navajo Nation, this area was a tourist attraction along Route 66. However, after Interstate 40 was built the area was quickly abandoned.

What do you think? Do you want to visit these Arizona ghost towns? Do you know of any other ghost towns in Arizona? We’ve put together a convenient Arizona Ghost Town Road Trip to visit some of them in one route. Are you brave enough to pack up your car and hit the road to visit them?

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More to Explore

Creepy Ghost Towns In Arizona

Leah | September 25, 2020

What are the creepiest places in Arizona?

There are quite a few creepy places to visit in Arizona if you're into that kind of thrill. Many people don't know that there is an abandoned mansion in the state that you can hike to and check out for yourself. Located in the Hualapai Mountains and right next to an abandoned mine, this shell of a building is certainly eerie. Another spooky ghost town in Arizona to visit is Vulture City. As if the name wasn't already off-putting, there is an old hanging tree there that adds to the creepy ambiance. Some people even say ghosts linger in the area.

Can I go ghost hunting in Arizona?

If you like visiting haunted places in Arizona and trying to experience paranormal activity, you're in luck. Arizona's most notoriously haunted town, Jerome, has a ghostly tour you can take. This former mining town has many stories of ghosts, and Ghost Town Tours Jerome is eager to tell you all about them. These tours range from walking tours with a history of the area and its supposed spirit residents, or night time experiences with special equipment that'll give you a true ghost hunting experience. You can learn more about these AZ ghost hunting tours here.

What are the most haunted places in Arizona?

There are more spooky spots than just abandoned places in Arizona. One of the most notoriously haunted places - and certainly the most spine-chilling to visit - is the Yuma Territorial Prison. This place has been known for its negative experiences since the days it was actually operation. Conditions were awful there, and many prisoners died within its walls. Causes of death ranged from tuberculosis to suicide, and others being shot while attempting to escape. Needless to say, these walls have harbored truly negative energies over the years and it's known as one of the most haunted spots in Arizona. Today, it's a state park you can visit for yourself. Learn more about the Yuma Territorial Prison here.

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