Nelson Ghost Town
- Admission
- Free to visit; $15 mine tours; $10 professional photography fee
- Hours
- Daily 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Duration
- 1-2 hours
- Parking
- Free on-site dirt parking lot
- Access
- Uneven dirt and gravel terrain; mine tours and some areas are not wheelchair accessible
This historic gold-mining settlement in Eldorado Canyon is a picturesque graveyard of vintage vehicles, rusted machinery, and weathered barns. Famous as a filming location, it even features a crashed plane prop from an action movie.
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Tucked away in Eldorado Canyon just 45 minutes from Las Vegas, the Nelson Ghost Town preserves the remnants of one of Nevada's most lucrative—and lawless—mining booms. Established around the legendary Techatticup Mine, this rugged settlement saw its first gold strike in 1861 and quickly earned a reputation for violence and claim jumping. Today, the privately-owned site is a beautifully preserved open-air museum of Old West history.
Visitors can wander among a surreal collection of weathered wooden barns, rusted-out vintage automobiles, and historic mining machinery scattered across the desert landscape. A highlight of the grounds is a realistic mock plane crash, originally constructed as a prop for the 2001 film "3000 Miles to Graceland." For a deeper look, guided walking tours take guests deep into the cool, subterranean shafts of the historic gold mine.
Ratings
attractionVisitor Tips
- ◆ Book a guided mine tour in advance to explore the underground tunnels and hear stories of the area's wild history.
- ◆ Bring cash for the small admission fee to wander the property and for any souvenir purchases.
- ◆ Charge your camera and phone before arriving; the vintage cars, old barns, and desert backdrop are incredibly photogenic.
- ◆ Visit during the shoulder seasons or early morning to avoid the intense midday desert heat.
Heads Up
- ◆ Watch your step and stay on designated paths, as rattlesnakes and cacti are common in the surrounding desert.
- ◆ Cell service can be extremely spotty or nonexistent in Eldorado Canyon, so download maps and directions beforehand.
- ◆ Do not touch or climb on the fragile vintage vehicles and structures, which are preserved but structurally delicate.
Common questions
Do you need a permit to take photos at Nelson Ghost Town?
Yes, while casual phone photos are allowed with standard admission, professional photography, portrait sessions, and commercial shoots require a paid permit and advance booking.
Can you explore the Techatticup Mine on your own?
No, access to the underground mine is only permitted via guided tours, which must be scheduled in advance with Eldorado Canyon Mine Tours.
Is the crashed plane at Nelson Ghost Town from a real crash?
No, the crashed airplane is a movie prop left over from the filming of the 2001 movie "3000 Miles to Graceland."