If you’re searching for ghost towns near Buena Vista, you’ll want to set your GPS to Colorado, not South Dakota. Buena Vista, Colorado sits within striking distance of three remarkable ghost towns: St. Elmo, Vicksburg, and Winfield. Each offers weathered structures, mining-era cemeteries, and authentic history without the tourist crowds. You can pair your explorations with great local food and coffee in town. Stick around to uncover everything you need to plan the perfect trip.
Key Takeaways
- Buena Vista, Colorado (not South Dakota) is home to three ghost towns: St. Elmo, Vicksburg, and Winfield, offering authentic mining-era history.
- St. Elmo is the most atmospheric ghost town, featuring weathered storefronts, a seasonal general store, and an overnight guest house.
- Vicksburg and Winfield sit in Clear Creek Canyon, reachable via County Road 390, with Winfield located 12 miles past Vicksburg.
- Use Gaia GPS and printed maps for navigation, as GPS signals are unreliable in these remote areas.
- Visit between spring and fall, as seasonal closures and road conditions limit accessibility during winter months.
Why Buena Vista, Colorado Is the Ghost Town Road Trip You’ve Been Missing
Why settle for a crowded tourist trap when you’ve got three ghost towns waiting just outside Buena Vista, Colorado? St. Elmo, Vicksburg, and Winfield deliver raw, unfiltered history without the suffocating crowds. You’ll find historical preservation done right — original structures still standing, cemeteries tucked into mountain terrain, and mining-era stories embedded in every weathered plank.
Buena Vista itself punches well above its weight on tourist amenities. Grab coffee at Buena Vista Roastery, fuel up on breakfast burritos at The Midland Stop, and wind down at Deerhammer before heading back.
The title of this article mentions South Dakota, but make no mistake — Colorado is where this adventure lives. Pack your offline maps, point your vehicle southwest, and claim the freedom this road trip promises.
The Best Ghost Towns Near Buena Vista Worth the Drive
When you’re based in Buena Vista, Colorado, three ghost towns sit close enough to make a rewarding day trip without pushing your mileage. St. Elmo stands out as the most atmospheric stop, where a functioning bed and breakfast occupies a three-story historic building. A seasonal general store still operates into early fall.
If you’ve got time to extend the drive, Vicksburg and Winfield wait just off County Road 390 in Clear Creek Canyon. These towns offer well-preserved remnants of Colorado’s mining past.
St. Elmo Ghost Town
Of all the ghost towns near Buena Vista, St. Elmo stands out as the most mesmerizing stop on your road trip. You’ll find local legends woven into every weathered building along its main street, where history feels almost tangible.
The Ghost Town Guest House operates as a working three-story bed and breakfast, letting you sleep inside living history. The seasonal General Store closes at September’s end, so time your visit accordingly.
Don’t miss the hidden landmarks scattered beyond the main strip — the Iron City Cemetery sits just 0.7 miles off County Road 162 via County Road 292. Park at the pullout where both roads meet.
Since GPS is unreliable here, download Gaia GPS and carry printed directions before you leave Denver.
Vicksburg And Winfield Towns
Tucked into Clear Creek Canyon between Leadville and Buena Vista, Vicksburg and Winfield reward the drive with remarkably well-preserved remnants of Colorado’s silver mining era. Head north on Highway 24 from Buena Vista, then turn onto County Road 390, passing Clear Creek Reservoir before reaching Vicksburg.
You’ll immediately notice the historical preservation here — standing structures, intact cabins, and town architecture that genuinely reflect 19th-century mining life rather than staged reconstruction. Continue 12 miles further to reach Winfield, where the 2WD road ends.
Both towns are accessible from spring through fall in Chaffee County, so timing matters. Bring your camera, walk the grounds freely, and absorb what remains. These aren’t tourist traps — they’re authentic windows into the rugged lives that shaped this region.
How to Get to St. Elmo From Denver
Planning a road trip to St. Elmo from Denver means budgeting 2.5–3 hours of driving time. Download the Gaia GPS app before you leave — cell service vanishes completely once you’re in the area.
Here’s your route breakdown:
- Depart Denver early and head southwest toward Buena Vista.
- Stop at The Midland Stop in Buena Vista for breakfast burritos before continuing.
- Take County Road 162 toward Nathrop, watching for scenic viewpoints along the Arkansas River corridor.
- Backtrack 0.25 miles on CR-162 to reach County Road 292, then follow the dirt road downhill past Iron City Campground.
Park at the CR-162 and CR-292 pullout. Historical preservation efforts keep St. Elmo remarkably intact — bring a printed map and embrace the adventure.
St. Elmo’s General Store, Cemetery, and Guest House: What’s Actually Open
Once you arrive at St. Elmo, you’ll find more than a crumbling relic — it’s a layered destination worth exploring carefully. The General Store operates seasonally, closing at the end of September, so time your visit accordingly.
For ghost town photography, the weathered storefronts and original signage offer striking compositions that support genuine historical preservation efforts.
The Ghost Town Guest House runs a functioning three-story bed and breakfast, letting you sleep inside living history. If you’re staying overnight, book ahead.
Don’t skip the Iron City Cemetery. Backtrack 0.25 miles on County Road 162, then follow County Road 292 approximately 0.7 miles down a wide dirt road past Iron City Campground.
The cemetery sits quietly off the main path — understated, uncrowded, and completely worth the short detour.
Vicksburg and Winfield: Two Ghost Towns in One Canyon Run
If you’re craving a second ghost town fix, head north from Buena Vista on Highway 24 to County Road 390, which winds through Clear Creek Canyon past the reservoir straight into Vicksburg.
This well-preserved town sits just 9 miles from Buena Vista, but if you push 12 miles further down the 2WD road, you’ll reach Winfield, making it easy to knock out both in a single canyon run.
The two towns offer distinct stops without doubling back, so plan to move through the canyon at your own pace before the seasonal window closes in late fall.
Accessing Clear Creek Canyon
Head north on Highway 24 from Buena Vista and turn onto County Road 390, which cuts through Clear Creek Canyon and leads you to not one but two ghost towns in a single run. The road passes Clear Creek Reservoir before dropping you into genuine historical preservation territory.
Here’s what to expect along the route:
- Clear Creek Reservoir – A scenic landmark signaling you’re close
- Vicksburg – Well-preserved structures perfect for exploring and wildlife observation
- Winfield – Located 12 miles further, marking the end of the 2WD-accessible road
- Seasonal access – County Road 390 remains open spring through fall only
Pack your camera, stay alert for wildlife, and move at your own pace through this canyon.
Vicksburg Versus Winfield
Vicksburg greets you first as you work your way through Clear Creek Canyon, and it’s the more photogenic stop of the two. Its historical preservation is impressive — standing structures line the canyon floor, offering a tangible connection to Colorado’s mining past. Wander freely, photograph everything, and keep your eyes open for wildlife encounters; deer and elk move through this corridor regularly.
Winfield sits 12 miles further along County Road 390, where the 2WD road ends. It’s rawer, quieter, and feels genuinely remote. Fewer visitors make it this far, which means you’ll likely have the place to yourself.
Together, both towns deliver a complete canyon experience — Vicksburg pulls you in with charm, while Winfield rewards you with solitude. Don’t skip either one.
How to Make This a Full Buena Vista Weekend
Once you’ve explored the ghost towns, turning this into a full weekend in Buena Vista is easy. The town rewards those who linger, blending historical preservation with genuine local folklore and mountain adventure.
- Fuel up at Buena Vista Roastery or Lobacks Bakery each morning before hitting the roads.
- Revisit the canyons — Clear Creek Canyon deserves a slower second look at Vicksburg’s remaining structures.
- Wind down at Deerhammer or Slammer Saloon, where locals share stories rooted in regional folklore.
- Detour south to Salida, just 17 miles from Nathrop, for art galleries and riverside trails.
You’re not just passing through — you’re absorbing a living piece of Colorado’s past. Pack for two nights, and you’ll leave with far more than photographs.
Where to Eat and Drink in Buena Vista
Buena Vista punches well above its weight when it comes to food and drink. Start your morning right with breakfast burritos from The Midland Stop before hitting the ghost town trail.
For coffee, swing by Buena Vista Roastery in the town center — it’s exactly what you need after an early departure. Lobacks Bakery delivers fresh local cuisine worth stopping for, while Luie’s ice cream makes a perfect afternoon refuel after exploring scenic viewpoints along the way.
When evening rolls around, Slammer Saloon keeps things lively, and Deerhammer combines solid drinks with food under one roof. This small Colorado mountain town packs serious flavor into every block, so don’t rush through it — give yourself time to eat, drink, and recharge.
After fueling up in town, the next challenge is getting where you’re going — and out here, that’s harder than it sounds. GPS accuracy drops fast once you leave paved roads, and cell service disappears entirely near St. Elmo. You’re on your own, so come prepared.
- Download Gaia GPS — it runs offline, using stored coordinates without cell towers.
- Print your directions — digital screens go dark; paper doesn’t.
- Grab a physical map — map resources like county road maps keep you oriented when technology quits.
- Note key landmarks — the County Road 162 and 292 intersection marks your parking pullout; don’t rely on a pin drop to find it.
Freedom means self-sufficiency. Don’t outsource your navigation to a signal that won’t show up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There an Entrance Fee to Visit St. Elmo Ghost Town?
You don’t pay an entrance fee to explore St. Elmo’s historical preservation sites freely. However, you’ll find visitor amenities like the Ghost Town Guest House and seasonal General Store ready to enhance your adventure.
Are Pets Allowed at the Ghost Town Guest House in St. Elmo?
Pet policies for the Ghost Town Guest House aren’t confirmed in available data. You’ll want to contact them directly to clarify guest house amenities and whether your furry travel companion can join your St. Elmo adventure.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit These Ghost Towns?
You’ll love visiting spring through fall, when seasonal weather opens the roads and you’ll dodge peak visitor crowds. Summer’s warm and accessible, but early fall offers crisp air, golden aspens, and a hauntingly perfect ghost town atmosphere.
Are the Ghost Town Roads Near Buena Vista Safe for Standard Vehicles?
Over 12 miles of road conditions lead to Winfield, and you’ll find vehicle accessibility straightforward — most routes near Buena Vista, Colorado are 2WD-friendly, letting you explore freely without needing a high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Can You Camp Overnight Near Vicksburg or Winfield Ghost Towns?
You can camp near Vicksburg and Winfield during spring through fall! Follow camping regulations to stay compliant, and you’ll love the wild freedom—just prepare for wildlife encounters under Colorado’s breathtaking, star-filled skies.
References
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj9gnZhg1yg
- https://www.ariverhouselodge.com/blog/3-ghost-towns-to-check-out-this-fall/
- https://coloradoparent.com/st-elmo-ghost-town/
- https://www.uncovercolorado.com/ghost-towns/vicksburg/
