Fall is my favorite time of year to visit ghost towns. Temperatures are pleasant, the skis are beautiful, and the leaves are spectacular. Nothing sets off historic sites better than a pop of color, making it a photographer’s dream.
I collected a list of my top ten favorite ghost towns to visit as the leaves change colors. They are within a day trip from Carson City, Carson Valley, Reno, or Lake Tahoe, and each has a bonus stop. In addition, each has a link to more information.
Learn about how to visit ghost towns safely.
Tallac Historic Resorts
The Tallac Historic Site is one of my favorite ways to spend a fall day. Tahoe Heritage Foundation has worked to preserve Lake Tahoe’s history. Tallac includes multiple landmark estates along the shoreline of Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately, the museum and buildings are closed for the season, but you can walk around the stunning grounds.
Bonus Stop: The Grove
Who can go with Tallac without walking next door and having a signature rum runner and lunch with a view at The Grove? (I last visited before they took over management of The Beacon building. It looks like they still have Rum Runners, though!)
Glen Alpine Springs
Glen Alpine Springs is a beautiful historical resort outside Fallen Leaf Lake. Fall is the perfect time to hike to the 1860s resort, Tahoe’s first family resort.
Bonus Stop: Taylor Creek
Stroll the interpretive trail at Taylor Creek Visitor Center. View the Kokanee salmon spawning.
Munckton & Dunderberg Mill
Munckton and Upper Sinnamon Meadow are lesser-known than Lundy Canyon but just as beautiful. Enjoy the day without the crowds that swarm Mono Lake in the fall.
Not much remains of the town or mill, but the color makes it worth the trip.
Bonus Stop: Dog Town
Dog Town was the site of the first significant gold discovery on the eastern slope of the Sierras in 1857. Miners discovered the largest gold nugget on the eastern Sierra, but the claims played out quickly. Miners moved to new strikes at Monoville, Masonic, Bodie, and Aurora.
Monitor
Monitor Pass is a popular leaf peep drive. Few realize the canyon once had a thriving town, Monitor, later known as Loope. Astute observers can locate the remains of foundations, mines, and even hops planted over 150 years ago.
Bonus Stop: Mogul
Visit the obscure ghost town of Mogul, California. Mogul is a distant memory, but the Morningstar mine is perched above the flats.
Genoa
Nevada’s oldest settlement puts on a spectacular show in the fall. Mormon Station, now Genoa, was built in 1850 to sell supplies for 49ers and emigrants headed to the gold rush. Genoa became the first capital of the Nevada Territory. Fire destroyed much of the town in 1910, but a few original buildings remain.
Genoa is known as one of the most haunted towns in Nevada. You can explore reports of hauntings at locations, including Genoa Courthouse, Hanging Tree, and Mormon Station.
Bonus Stop:
Genoa has so much to do in the area. Enjoy a drink at Genoa Saloon, “Nevadan’s Oldest Thirst Parlor.” Or soak as visitors have for one hundred and sixty years at Wally’s Hot Springs.
Conway Ranches
Just off Highway 395, at the base of Conway Summit, sits Conway Ranch and Little Conway Ranch. Mono county is preserving the 1870s ranch buildings.
Bonus Stop: Levitt Falls
Take a short side trip up Sonora Pass to view Levitt Falls.
Chemung
Photographing Chemung with the aspens in their full glory has been a work in progress. Unfortunately, I seem to be off by a week, but the amazing mill ruins are still spectacular in the fall.
Bonus Stop: Masonic
Masonic isn’t as well-known as Bodie but has strong ties to the famous ghost town.
Washington
Washington ghost town in Storey County is little-known and documented compared to the Washington ghost town in Nye County. The Washington Toll Road connected the Truckee River to Lousetown and developed the small settlement to serve travelers headed to the Comstock Lode. Sadly, the scenic town lasted only ten years but left multiple ruins to explore.
Bonus Stop: Lagomarisono Petroglyphs
Over 2,200 petroglyphs cover the rocky hill, dating over 10,000 years. The petroglyphs are amazing and overwhelming. You could spend a week exploring and never see them all; they cover the talus and cliff face. The site was documented in 2003; it took over 10,000 hours of labor!
Ward Mining Camp
Ward Mining Camp is a hidden treasure in Mono County, California. The isolated mining camp was discovered one hundred thirty years ago. Sheltered by the trees, many drive past without knowing of the stamp mill and a trio of log cabins.
Bonus Stop: Kavanaugh Ridge
Take a drive over 10,000′ in elevation to Kavanaugh Ridge. Even last fall, even with the smoke from the fires, the view was still amazing.
Bowers Mansion
Bowers’ Mansion in Washoe Valley was built in 1863 by Lemuel “Sandy” and Eilley Bowers. A life of financial fortune and personal tragedy set the stage for the many reported hauntings in the mansion and on the grounds. Eilley was known as “The Famous Washoe Seeress.”
Bonus Stop: Twaddle-Pedroli Ranch
After stumbling across the Twaddle-Pedroli Ranch, I waited months to photograph it in the fall. It took several trips, but I finally hit the colors.
Dating to 1869, the former dairy provided miners in Virginia City with fresh dairy milk and cheese.
Wiley’s Station
Wiley’s Station was a stage stop on the Carson Aurora stage line. It was active in the 1860’s through the 1870’s.
Bonus Stop: Wellington Grammar School
Drive through Wellington and visit the Smith Valley Historical Society, including the 1898 Wellington Grammar School and the 1871 Wells Fargo Ticket Office. Don’t forget to stop at the Heydey Inn for a traditional Basque Picon and dinner.
Hope Valley
While Hope Valley isn’t a ghost town, it was an important location on the Carson River Route of the emigrant trail.
Bonus Stop: Woodfords
Stop in Woodfords, former Pony Express station. Enjoy lunch and a glass of wine relaxing in the beautiful outdoor seating at Mad Dog Cafe. Don’t forget to check out their shop featuring local artists.
Let me know if you have a favorite ghost town to visit in the fall, and I will put it on my fall trip list.
Want more ghost towns?
For information on more than five hundred ghost towns in Nevada & California, visit the Nevada Ghost Towns Map or a list of Nevada ghost towns.
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David Sadewasser says
Super photographs, Tami! Fall is my favorite season, and ghost towns are even more ethereal when nature is going to sleep. This is when I wish I were about 30 years younger so my exploration days wouldn’t be over. But knowing that someone else shares the passion just about makes up for it.
Many thanks!
Tami says
Thank you, I wish we had fall colors longer. It is my favorite season too.
I’m glad you ejoyed the article and hope you can still get out some.
Bill says
Thanks for the tour, Tami.
Tami says
Welcome!
SANDY SCHLESINGER says
Beautiful tour- will try to get to a few of these before winter hits, she’s comin quickly it looks like.
Thank you so much for sharing with us. As a native Nevadan, sometimes you forget we have som much beauty around us!
Cheers to Autumn
Tami says
I hope you get to a few. I heard around Virginia Creek the leaves are at 100%.
I think winter is coming too fast, I had to move plants closer to the house. Hubby is a native Nevadan and he is amazed by all I find
Steve Knight says
Patty and I did some of those on our annual pilgrimage to Hope Valley last weekend. Bob and I did some of the others the week before at Fallen Leaf Lake. We have done almost all of them over the last few years. You and I did some of the others. Nice suggestions.
Tami says
Glad you got out! Leaves seem strange this year, Mormon Station hadn’t changed, but the tree by the Masonic Lodge was loosing its leaves.
Henry says
Thanks for all your time, research and information. It helps me chose some new vacant ghost towns and mines to explore. I am getting ready to start my road trips into Naveda. I start early November until it gets too warm, usually early April. I chose this time because there are no insects, no traffic, it doesn’t get hot / warm and pretty much – no humans. I have it all to myself. I enjoy the snow and cold weather. Do you ever go on any winter road trips?
Tami says
Thanks, glad you found it helpful.
It all depends on the winter. I have been heading south and exploring over winter as my son lives in Mesquite. Some winters, you can do a lot in northern or central Nevada; other winters, many sites are snowed in or the ground is covered, making it impossible to see much. If the weather holds, I’ll visit some cool sites on Thanksgiving weekend. I plan Death Valley this winter, and a few trips to southern Nye and Clark Counties. Maybe into southern Utah.
Joe Cashin says
Hi Tammi,
Been awhile since I talked to you.
My favorite place is LAKE Tahoe.
In the mtns. camping Fall 🍂🍁 is my favorite time. peaceful and quiet I love watching nature show. I wish I could go back again. But I’m crippled vet. I love reading your & seeing the area’s you been too.
Tami says
Lake Tahoe is beautiful, especially in the fall with the leaves and fewer people. I tend to avoid summers with all the tourists. I hope you can visit again.
I have thought of putting together a list of mobility friendly ghost towns. Camp Richardson at take would be good. My son has cerebral palsy and has spent a lot of time in a wheel chair.
Joe Cashin says
Thank you Tami
You are a good friend and encouragement
God bless you and your family.
An old saying I stand by:
When the going gets tough, The tough tough get going.
Till next time my friend
GOD’S SPEED ON YOUR
JOURNEY.
Tami says
Thank you.