Grafton Is A Utah Ghost Town That’s Perfect For An Autumn Day Trip
By Catherine Armstrong|Published October 07, 2019
×
Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Utah’s autumn weather is perfect for a day trip to just about any corner of the state, but we’re particularly excited about checking out some of the Beehive State’s ghost towns this fall. Most of our ghost towns are located in the southern part of Utah, which start to finally cool down in October, and the scenery is simply beautiful right now. Grafton is the most well-known ghost town in the state, and if you’ve never visited, now’s the time!
You'll find the little ghost town of Grafton along the southern edge of Zion National Park.
Make sure you're prepared before heading out. There are no services out there, and no water. Keep in mind that the road becomes impassable after a rain storm.
Advertisement
The town of Grafton was founded in the mid 1800s, and was once home to as many as 28 families.
Life in this remote part of the state was hard, and many of the families who settled here lost loved ones to illness, accidents, and attacks by natives.
Parts of the town were renovated back in the 1990s, thanks to the efforts of the Grafton Heritage Partnership. The town includes the Alonzo M. Russell home (shown below), as well as the schoolhouse/church, and several other homes.
Fall is a wonderful time to explore Grafton. You'll see some pretty fall foliage, and the weather should be cool enough that you'll be comfortable to walk around, take photos, and enjoy the scenery.
Have you ever visited Grafton? Tell our readers about your experience in the comments. If you’ve never been, do you think it’s time for a road trip? Tag the friends you want to take with you!
