Rhyolite Ghost Town
Walk through the ruins of a bustling 1900s gold rush town that vanished almost as quickly as it appeared. Marvel at the remnants of a three-story bank, a jail, and a house made entirely of thousands of beer bottles. It's an eerie, beautiful window into Nevada's boom-and-bust history.
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Open 24 hours daily
- Duration
- 1-2 hours
- Parking
- Free gravel parking area available on site
- Access
- Dirt and gravel paths may be uneven for wheelchairs, but most major ruins are visible from the main flat areas and roadside
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Established in 1904 during a gold rush, Rhyolite blossomed from a simple mining camp into a bustling metropolis of thousands, complete with its own stock exchange and opera house. The boom was short-lived, however, and the financial panic of 1907 spelled the beginning of the end. By 1920, the town was completely abandoned, leaving behind some of Nevada's most photographed ruins.
Today, visitors can wander among the skeletal remains of three-story concrete buildings, including the iconic Cook Bank and the remarkably preserved Tom Kelly Bottle House, constructed from thousands of beer and medicine bottles. At the town's entrance, the Goldwell Open Air Museum adds a surreal artistic touch with its ghostly, life-sized plaster sculptures standing against the desert backdrop. It is a hauntingly beautiful testament to the fleeting nature of the American West's mining booms.
Ratings
landmarkVisitor Tips
- ◆ Combine your visit with a trip to nearby Death Valley National Park, as Rhyolite sits just off the main highway leading into the park.
- ◆ Visit during the golden hours of sunrise or sunset for the best photography lighting on the ruins and the Goldwell sculptures.
- ◆ Stop by the Goldwell Open Air Museum at the entrance to see the unique outdoor art installations, which are free to view.
- ◆ Bring plenty of water and wear sturdy closed-toe shoes to safely navigate the gravel paths and rocky terrain.
Heads Up
- ◆ Do not attempt to enter or climb on the unstable ruins, as they are fragile and subject to collapse.
- ◆ Watch out for desert wildlife, including rattlesnakes and scorpions, which may seek shade under rocks and debris.
- ◆ Summer temperatures in this region can easily exceed 100°F (38°C), making midday visits potentially dangerous without proper hydration.
Common questions
Do you need a 4WD vehicle to drive to Rhyolite Ghost Town?
No, the road leading to Rhyolite from Highway 374 is fully paved and easily accessible by standard two-wheel-drive passenger cars.
Is Rhyolite Ghost Town inside Death Valley National Park?
No, Rhyolite is located just outside the park's eastern boundary on BLM land, meaning no national park pass or entry fee is required to visit.
Can you go inside the historic buildings in Rhyolite?
No, the surviving historic structures like the Cook Bank and the train depot are fenced off for public safety and preservation, though they can be viewed closely from the perimeter.
Are there public restrooms at Rhyolite?
Yes, vault toilets are available near the entrance of the adjacent Goldwell Open Air Museum, but there is no running water or other visitor services on-site.
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