At a Glance
- Ghost Towns Nearby: 10+
- Animas Forks: 40 min via 4WD
- Capitol City: On Engineer Pass
- Access: High-clearance 4WD
Best Ghost Towns Near Ouray
Animas Forks (11,200 ft) is the crown jewel — a dozen standing buildings including the famous two-story cabin at the confluence of the Animas River's forks. Accessible via 4WD from Silverton or the Alpine Loop from Ouray, it's the most photogenic ghost town in Colorado.
Capitol City, along the Engineer Pass road, was briefly the most ambitious ghost town in the San Juans — its founder built a governor's mansion in anticipation of becoming the Colorado state capital. The structure's ruins and nearby cemetery are evocative and easily accessible.
More Ghost Towns in the San Juans
Eureka, between Silverton and Animas Forks, features a massive aerial tramway terminal and ore mill — industrial ruins on a scale uncommon even among Colorado ghost towns. Howardsville (near Silverton) retains several standing buildings along the Animas River.
Rose's Cabin and Mineral City, both on the Engineer Pass route, are smaller sites with interesting ore-processing ruins and interpretive signage explaining the mining operations.
Ghost Town Base at The Lumberyard
The Lumberyard Condos puts you within 40 minutes of the best ghost towns in the San Juans — Animas Forks via the Alpine Loop, Capitol City via Engineer Pass, and a dozen more on surrounding 4WD roads.
Book your ghost town expedition at ouraycondos.com. A multi-day stay lets you explore a different ghost town each day without rushing.