The beauty of abandoned cities across America.

Virginia (Montana)

In 1863, when the gold rush hit the area, Virginia City was born. Ten years later, when the gold mines dried up, all the residents abandoned the place. Today, Virginia City has been largely restored and became a National Historic Landmark District in 1961. Tourists flock to the site to visit hundreds of historic buildings such as the summer theater, brewery, and hotel. This tourist destination is only about 144 km from Yellowstone.

Centralia (Pennsylvania)

From the late 1800s to the 1960s, Centralia was a quaint yet bustling town thanks to its rich coal mines. However, when a mine mysteriously caught fire in 1962, the flames began spreading underground through interconnected tunnels. The underground fires caused sinkholes and ruined infrastructure, drastically reducing the town's population. By 2014, only eight residents remained. The landscape here looks like something out of an apocalyptic movie. You'll see many destroyed buildings and the cracked, graffiti-covered Route 61. Particularly noteworthy is the occasional smoke rising from the underground fires, which scientists estimate will continue burning for over 250 years.

Ballarat (California)

The city was founded in 1896 and completely abandoned in 1917. In Ballarat, some visitors choose to camp overnight rather than drive three and a half hours back to Los Angeles. Campers can visit the nearby cemetery, the old buildings, and the Ballarat general store.

Bannack (Montana)

The first territorial capital of Montana, Bannack, was known for Henry Plummer, the sheriff who secretly coordinated wagon thefts. However, his exploits were short-lived; Henry was discovered and subsequently hanged on January 10, 1864.

Kennecott (Alaska)

Nearly $200 million came from the copper mines exploited here. From 1911 to 1938, the mining town developed into a city with its own hospital, ice rink, tennis courts, and dairy shop. But most of the buildings have now been abandoned for about 60 years, some of them in a state of disrepair beyond repair. The National Park Service acquired many of Kennecott's buildings and land in 1998.

Rhyolite (Nevada)

The city was named after the volcano of the same name. Rhyolite attracted gold prospectors, which were discovered recently in 1904. The city closed in 1916, and all that remains today are the ruins of the town's old buildings, including the prison, bank, and train station.

Bodie (California)

Once home to 10,000 people, gold was discovered in Bodie in the 1870s in the hills surrounding Mono Lake. Now a State Historic Park, several areas of the town are preserved in restoration. Much of the city's interior remains largely intact.

Cahawba (Alabama)

The state's first capital takes its name from the state's longest river, located at the confluence of the Cahaba and Alabama. The city was abandoned after the Civil War, and its cemeteries and many empty buildings are now popular locations for ghost tours and paranormal stories.

St. Elmo (Colorado)

This is just one of many abandoned villages in Chaffee County, Colorado. Founded in 1880, the town thrived for about four decades, but when the railroad closed in 1922, it was abandoned. Today, St. Elmo is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a popular tourist destination thanks to its ATV trails and general store that opens in the summer.

Calico (California)

Once a silver mining town, this ghost town in San Bernardino County has been restored and transformed into a tourist attraction. The town has garnered attention from Arnold Schwarzenegger, who bestowed upon it the title of Silver Rush Ghost Town when he was governor.

Elkhorn (Montana)

Elkhorn has become a state park. This abandoned mining town south of Helena still retains a few dilapidated buildings. Previously, Elkhorn had a population of 2,500 and was home to thriving hotels and brothels.

Anh Thi