Along Idaho’s backroads, silence lingers where gold and silver once promised fortune. Empty storefronts, creaking boardwalks and crumbling foundations reveal towns where ambition once thrived and time simply stopped. These forgotten places now invite travelers to wander through the state’s storied mining past.
Silver City | near Murphy
Tucked away in the Owyhee Mountains, 2.5 hours southwest of Boise, Silver City is one of the most intact ghost towns in the West. At its silver-mining peak in the 1860s, the town had over 2,500 residents, 75 businesses, two newspapers and even a telegraph line. Today, the dusty streets remain remarkably preserved, lined with more than 70 original buildings. Wander past weathered homes, peek inside the hilltop church and stroll by the schoolhouse and cemetery. Interpretive plaques tell the stories behind each building.
When to Visit: Silver City is only accessible by steep, narrow gravel roads from late May through October. Winter snow closes the route entirely, so plan your visit in warmer months and check road conditions before heading up.
Nearby Eats & Stays: The drive to Silver City is part of the adventure, but services are scarce beyond Marsing. Pack extra water, snacks and a paper or downloaded map—as cell service is limited—and top off your tank and grab a bite at The Eddy as you drive through Marsing. Open seasonally, The Idaho Hotel serves hearty breakfast and lunch dishes (and family-style dinners with reservations) and offers rustic overnight accommodations.
Silver City, near Murphy | Photo: Public Domain
Bayhorse, Bonanza & Custer | near Challis
Between Challis and Stanley in central Idaho lies Land of the Yankee Fork State Park, home to three ghost towns preserving Idaho’s gold- and silver-mining past: Bayhorse, Bonanza and Custer. Across the three, you’ll encounter mine buildings, log cabins, a schoolhouse museum, a hillside cemetery and more. While in the park, be sure to stop at the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge to behold the massive, well-preserved mining relic.
When to Visit: These ghost towns are best explored from late May through early October, when gravel roads are clear. Stop by the Land of the Yankee Fork Visitor Center in Challis for maps and current road conditions. There are no gas stations or stores once you leave Challis or Stanley, so fill your tank, bring extra water and snacks and download or carry a paper map before heading out.
Nearby Eats & Stays: Start with a belly-warming breakfast at the Y-Inn Café, or refuel after exploring with grilled favorites at Shyla’s Hideaway Bar & Grill. For lodging, book a cozy cabin or room at the Pioneer Motel & RV Park, or settle in for the night at Red Rock Lodge.
Bayhorse, Land of the Yankee Fork State Park, near Challis | Photo: Visit Idaho
Burke | near Wallace
In a canyon so narrow that trains once ran through Main Street, the ghost town of Burke tells the story of Idaho’s silver boom and its swift collapse. Once among the most prosperous mining communities in the West, the town’s tightly packed buildings, mills and boarding houses crowded every inch of the valley floor. Today, moss-covered foundations and rusted machinery hint at a time when the town roared with the sound of progress. Just seven miles down the canyon, the city of Wallace serves as an ideal jumping-off point. Its red-brick downtown still hums with historic charm and is home to museums, shops and the popular Sierra Silver Mine Tour, where visitors can venture underground to experience a miner’s life firsthand.
When to Visit: Explore Burke in late spring through fall, when mountain roads are clear.
Nearby Eats & Stays: Enjoy fresh-baked goods and sandwiches at the Blackboard Café and Marketplace, or dig into tasty fare and craft brews at City Limits Pub & Grill. Those looking to overnight should book the Ryan Hotel or the retro-chic Stardust Motel, both within walking distance of Wallace’s attractions.
Sierra Silver Mine Tour, Wallace | Photo: Visit Idaho
Burgdorf | near McCall
Located about 30 miles north of McCall, Burgdorf blends ghost-town atmosphere with backcountry relaxation. Founded in the 1860s as a gold-mining camp, Burgdorf was transformed into a rustic mountain resort by German prospector Fred Burgdorf in the early 1900s. At its height, the town had a hotel, general store and post office, welcoming weary miners and travelers drawn to its steaming mineral pools. Though mining faded, Burgdorf remains one of Idaho’s oldest continuously operating hot springs, and several original log buildings still stand as quiet witnesses to its frontier past.
When to Visit: You can reach Burgdorf by car in summer or by snowmobile in winter. The property closes in late fall (November to December) and early spring (May).
Nearby Eats & Stays: There’s no food service at Burgdorf, so bring your own supplies or stock up at Alpine Pantry and Provisions in McCall before heading out. Guests can rent rustic 19th-century cabins, but for more luxurious accommodations, book at Shore Lodge in McCall, where you can enjoy a spa treatment and delightful on-site cuisine. Or opt for creative rolls and inventive pan-Asian cuisine at The Sushi Bar.
Chesterfield | near Lava Hot Springs
Founded in 1881 by Mormon pioneers, Chesterfield offers a peaceful and poignant glimpse into southeast Idaho’s agricultural history. This well-preserved farming village features more than two dozen original structures, including the Holbrook Mercantile, schoolhouse, chapel and amusement hall. In summer, volunteers offer guided tours and open select buildings, giving visitors a closer glimpse of life in the town.
When to Visit: Visit between Memorial Day and Labor Day to tour the building interiors, or stop by any time of year for a self-guided walking tour.
Nearby Eats & Stays: Chesterfield is a perfect picnic spot. Pick up supplies at Mike’s Market in Lava Hot Springs. After exploring, plan on a comforting dinner and a local brew at the Chuckwagon Café. When it’s time to call it a night, rest easy at the Greystone Manor Bed & Breakfast or the Alpaca Inn, both known for warm hospitality.
Holbrook Mercantile, Chesterfield | Photo: Visit Idaho
Idaho City | near Boise
Just an hour’s drive from Boise, Idaho City—once the largest town in the Pacific Northwest during the 1860s gold rush—retains its Wild West character with wooden boardwalks, restored 19th-century buildings and interpretive walking tours. Stroll through downtown to discover the Boise Basin Museum and saloons with authentic facades, then venture to the hillside Pioneer Cemetery and other relics of Idaho City’s gold-mining past. Idaho City makes an easy day trip or a scenic overnight escape.
When to Visit: Idaho City is open year-round. Lively summer events and fall leaf-peeping season offer excellent opportunities to experience its offerings.
Nearby Eats & Stays: Start your morning at Leon’s Café, a local favorite for breakfast and lunch, or enjoy a juicy ribeye at Diamond Lil’s Steakhouse. For local accommodations, book the Idaho City Hotel or The Goldmine Hotel.
Historic goldmining equipment, Idaho City | Photo: Visit Idaho
Ready to dig into Idaho’s mining past? Start planning your Idaho ghost town road trip here.