Adventuring Gear

Hiking Gear on Amazon

When exploring ghost towns, reliable hiking gear is essential for traversing abandoned pathways and remote locations. Amazon offers an impressive range of high-quality options for every budget, from ultralight backpacks like the Osprey Hikelite 26 with its ventilated trampoline back to versatile footwear such as the Topo Traverse trail runners. For those concerned about safety in remote areas, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 provides crucial satellite connectivity when cell service is nonexistent—a common scenario in most ghost towns. Pair these essentials with a dependable headlamp like the USB-C rechargeable Nitecore NU25 and a Sawyer Squeeze water filtration system to ensure you’re prepared for unexpected extended adventures.

Budget-conscious explorers will appreciate Amazon’s selection of affordable yet reliable equipment, with many highly-rated options priced considerably lower than specialty outdoor retailers. From compact sleeping bags like the Nature Hike MJ 300 that packs down surprisingly small for just $36 to comfortable backpacks in the $80-150 range, you can assemble a complete ghost town exploration kit without breaking the bank. For day trips, consider lightweight essentials like the inflatable lounge chairs that pack down small but provide a perfect resting spot amid ghost town ruins, or a Rumpl outdoor blanket with its water and dirt-resistant surface—ideal for sitting among the historic remnants while documenting your discoveries.

Footwear

Trekking Poles

Weather-Appropriate Clothing

Outdoor Gear and Equipment on Amazon

When exploring ghost towns, reliable outdoor gear becomes your lifeline in often remote and challenging environments. A sturdy pair of hiking boots with ankle support, like the Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots, provides essential stability on the uneven foundations and debris-strewn paths common in abandoned sites. Complement these with a lightweight yet durable daypack such as the Osprey Talon 22, which offers sufficient storage for water, snacks, first aid supplies, and extra layers while maintaining comfort during all-day explorations. For varying weather conditions, consider Columbia’s Silver Ridge Convertible Pants, which adapt from full-length to shorts and dry quickly after unexpected rain showers.

Safety equipment should never be overlooked when venturing into deteriorating structures and isolated locations. The Garmin eTrex 32x GPS Navigator ensures you’ll maintain your bearings even when cell service disappears, while the Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System provides clean drinking water if your exploration extends longer than anticipated. Don’t forget to pack the Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp, which leaves your hands free to navigate precarious staircases or dimly lit mining tunnels. A comprehensive first aid kit like the Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker Medical Kit contains essential supplies for treating minor injuries that might occur while exploring abandoned buildings. Finally, consider trekking poles such as the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles to provide additional stability on loose gravel roads and steep hillsides that often lead to the most fascinating ghost towns.

Backpacks

  • The Osprey Atmos AG 65 combines durability with ergonomic design, featuring a built-in rain cover and ample storage for 3+ day expeditions.

Navigation Tools

  • Supplement the OnX Hunt Map App with a standalone GPS device like the Garmin GPSMAP 66i, which includes satellite messaging for emergencies.

Multi-Tools

  • The Leatherman Signal integrates pliers, a firestarter, and an emergency whistle, ideal for repairing gear or extracting debris.

Safety & Protective Gear

Emergency Communication

Lighting Solutions

Exploration Tools

Outdoor Photography Gear on Amazon

Capturing ghost towns requires specialized outdoor photography equipment that can withstand challenging environments while delivering exceptional image quality. A carbon fiber tripod like the Manfrotto Befree Advanced Travel Tripod offers the perfect balance between stability and portability, essential for long-exposure shots in dimly lit interiors or for night photography capturing star trails above abandoned structures. Pair this with a remote shutter release such as the Pixel TW-283 Wireless Remote to eliminate camera shake when photographing in low light conditions. For protection against the elements, the Peak Design Shell Camera Cover provides essential defense against dust and unexpected weather, while a set of MagMod MagGels helps balance the harsh lighting contrasts often encountered when photographing building interiors against bright outside conditions.

To transport your gear safely through rugged ghost town terrain, invest in the Lowepro Whistler BP 350 AW backpack, specifically designed for outdoor photography with reinforced protection against impacts and weather resistance for those unexpected cloudbursts. A versatile circular polarizing filter like the B+W 77mm XS-Pro Kaesemann High Transmission Polarizer helps reduce glare from weathered glass windows and enhances the rich textures of decaying wood and rusted metal that define ghost town aesthetics. Consider adding silica gel packets to your camera bag to combat the humidity damage that can occur when transitioning between temperature extremes common in desert ghost towns. Finally, the Giottos Rocket Air Blaster and a LensPen cleaning kit are indispensable for removing the persistent dust that inevitably collects on equipment during ghost town explorations, ensuring your gear remains in optimal condition throughout your adventure.

Tripods

  • A carbon fiber model like the Peak Design Travel Tripod withstands harsh conditions while remaining lightweight for mobility.

Lens Filters

Protective Cases

Camera Gear on Amazon

Selecting the right camera equipment dramatically impacts your ability to document ghost towns in their full atmospheric glory. A weather-sealed DSLR or mirrorless camera like the Sony Alpha a7 III or Nikon Z6 offers exceptional dynamic range for capturing both the bright exteriors and shadowy interiors common in abandoned buildings, while their robust construction withstands the dust and occasional bumps inevitable during ghost town explorations. For versatile focal length coverage, the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 G2 serves as an excellent walking-around lens, allowing you to capture everything from wide architectural shots to detailed close-ups of artifacts and weathered textures. Supplement this with a fast prime lens such as the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art for low-light situations and beautiful bokeh when isolating subjects against the complex backgrounds of deteriorating structures.

To ensure uninterrupted shooting during day-long excursions, carry extra batteries like the Anker PowerCore 20100mAh portable charger for emergency recharging in the field, and invest in high-capacity, high-speed SD cards such as the SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO to avoid running out of storage during productive shooting sessions. A quality UV filter for each lens, like the B+W XS-Pro UV Haze MRC-Nano filter, provides essential protection against the abrasive dust common in abandoned buildings. For creative night photography of ghost towns under starlit skies, consider adding the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 ultra-wide-angle lens to your kit, perfect for astrophotography compositions that include historic structures. Finally, don’t overlook the importance of a comfortable camera strap system like the Peak Design Slide, which allows quick adjustments between hiking configuration and shooting position, minimizing fatigue during long days of exploration while keeping your valuable equipment secure across challenging terrain.

Low-Light Lenses

Drones

  • The DJI Mavic 3 Pro provides aerial perspectives of large ghost towns, with obstacle avoidance for navigating tight spaces.

Action Cameras

Ghost Town Books on Amazon

Enhance your ghost town adventures with captivating literature that brings these abandoned settlements to life through carefully researched histories and atmospheric storytelling. Amazon offers an extensive collection of ghost town books, ranging from photographic tours of America’s most fascinating abandoned places to in-depth historical accounts of boom-and-bust mining towns. These resources provide valuable context for your explorations, revealing the stories behind crumbling structures and offering insights into the lives of those who once called these places home.

For those who prefer their ghost towns with a supernatural twist, Amazon’s selection includes fiction that masterfully captures the eerie atmosphere of abandoned communities. Titles like Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot” and Dan Simmons’ “Summer of Night” portray small towns overtaken by malevolent forces, while Chuck Wendig’s “Black River Orchard” explores how communities can unravel from within. These narratives offer a perfect complement to actual ghost town visits, deepening your appreciation for these places where time stands still. Whether you’re seeking factual guides to help locate obscure sites or atmospheric fiction to read by flashlight in your tent near a ghost town, Amazon’s extensive catalog has something to enrich your adventure.

Historical Guides

Field Journals

Off-Road Vehicles on Amazon

Accessing remote ghost towns often requires navigating challenging terrain that standard vehicles simply can’t handle. While Amazon may not sell full-sized off-road vehicles, they do offer an impressive selection of radio-controlled (RC) off-road models that provide a fun way to explore rough terrain around ghost towns without disturbing historical sites. Quality brands like Traxxas and Arrma dominate the recommendations, with the Traxxas Slash being particularly praised for its durability, excellent parts availability, and strong resale value—essential factors when investing in equipment for remote adventures.

For budget-conscious explorers, Amazon offers capable options in the $100-200 range, though experienced users consistently recommend investing a bit more in established brands rather than the cheaper alternatives. The Arrma Granite 4×4 Truck (around $200) strikes an excellent balance between affordability and performance with its oversized tires and full-time four-wheel-drive transmission. Remember that when exploring ghost towns, choosing a 1/10 scale vehicle rather than smaller 1/16 models provides better performance over rough surfaces—much like choosing the right full-sized vehicle for your actual explorations. These RC vehicles offer a unique perspective for photographing ghost town sites and can serve as entertaining companions during downtime at your basecamp.

Recovery Gear

Roof-Top Tents

OnX Hunt Map App

The OnX Hunt app has become an indispensable tool for ghost town adventurers, extending far beyond its original hunting focus to serve as a comprehensive navigation solution for remote exploration. With its detailed property boundary information, users can confidently navigate the complex patchwork of public and private lands that often surrounds abandoned settlements. The app’s offline map capabilities—allowing you to download detailed topographic and satellite imagery for use without cell service—are particularly valuable when venturing into the remote areas where most preserved ghost towns are located.

What truly sets OnX Hunt apart for ghost town enthusiasts is its customizable waypoint system and tracking features, enabling you to mark discovered structures, document interesting artifacts, and easily find your way back to your vehicle after exploring sprawling abandoned sites. The 3D mapping functionality provides crucial perspective when planning approaches to ghost towns in mountainous regions, while the recent addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration ensures seamless navigation to your destination. With a 4.7-star rating from thousands of users and testimonials praising its accuracy and reliability in remote areas, OnX Hunt has become the go-to mapping solution for serious ghost town adventurers who need to know exactly where they stand—both legally and geographically.

Custom Waypoints

  • Tag hazards like unstable mineshafts or private property boundaries to share with expedition teams.

Offline Maps

  • Download regional data pre-trip to navigate areas without cellular service.

Metal Detecting Gear

I get most of my Metal Detecting gear from Amazon, and I mainly use my Garrett AT Max Detector and my Garrett Pro-Pointer AT Waterproof Pinpointer when I go out.

Enhancing your ghost town explorations with metal detecting equipment can transform a simple visit into a fascinating archaeological experience, potentially uncovering artifacts and relics that tell stories of the past. When selecting metal detecting gear, the consensus among experienced detectorists strongly favors established brands like Nokta, Minelab, and Garrett over the budget Amazon options. While inexpensive Amazon detectors (typically $100-150) may seem appealing, professionals consistently warn that these units lack the sophisticated signal processing required to separate valuable finds from common trash and often suffer from poor recovery speed and limited depth capabilities.

For serious ghost town exploration, consider investing in quality equipment like the Nokta Simplex (starting around $200), which offers waterproof construction, excellent discrimination features, and reliable performance that budget models simply can’t match. More experienced detectorists recommend the Minelab 340 or Nokta Legend for their superior ability to detect deeper artifacts—potentially uncovering items that casual visitors and budget detectors have missed over the years. Remember that metal detecting regulations vary by location, particularly on public lands and historic sites, so always research local rules and obtain necessary permissions before searching. With the right equipment and approach, metal detecting can add an exciting dimension to your ghost town adventures, connecting you directly with the tangible history beneath your feet.

Detectors

Digging Tools

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