To plan your ghost town road trip to Upland, Texas, head 30 miles north of Midland via Highway 349 to CR 200, where the ruins of a courthouse, jail, and weathered cemetery await. This former Upton County seat flourished briefly in the 1890s before fading into West Texas silence. Visit during spring or fall when temperatures stay manageable. Stick to daylight hours, bring water, and keep exploring — there’s far more to this story than first appears.
Key Takeaways
- Upland, Texas, sits 30 miles north of Midland off Highway 349, accessible via CR 200, featuring a courthouse shell, jail, and cemetery.
- Visit during spring (March–May) or fall (October–November) for mild temperatures; summer heat regularly exceeds 100°F, making exploration difficult.
- Explore during daylight hours only, as Upland lacks lighting infrastructure and the site is unmanaged.
- The cemetery’s weathered markers, clustered around the 1890s–1900s, reflect Upland’s brief two-decade lifespan as Upton County’s first seat.
- Use Midland or Rankin for accommodations, dining, and additional historical research to enrich your visit.
Why Upland, Texas Is Worth the Drive
Tucked 30 miles north of Midland off Highway 349, Upland, Texas, delivers something rare — a ghost town you can walk through freely, without fences, fees, or tour guides telling you where to look.
That kind of unfiltered ghost town exploration is harder to find than you’d think.
Upland history runs deep. It served as Upton County’s first official seat back in the 1890s, thriving briefly before Rankin claimed the title and the town quietly emptied out.
What’s left — a courthouse shell, a jail, a cemetery — tells that story without embellishment.
You’re not reading about history here. You’re standing inside it.
With open access at CR 200 and daylight hours as your only real constraint, Upland rewards curiosity on your own terms.
How Upland Went From County Seat to Ghost Town
When you dig into Upland’s past, you’ll find it once held real political weight as Upton County’s first official seat in the 1890s.
The town’s fate shifted when county administration moved to Rankin, stripping Upland of its purpose and pulling its roughly 100 residents away.
Today, you’re walking through what’s left of a place that went from governing a Texas county to near-total silence in just a couple of decades.
Upland’s Early County Seat
Before Rankin claimed its title, Upland served as the first county seat of Upton County during the 1890s, making it a hub of early Texas frontier governance.
When you dig into Upland history, you’ll discover a community shaped by early settlers who carved out a meaningful existence in this rugged West Texas landscape. These determined men and women built a courthouse, jail, and essential civic structures, believing Upland would anchor the region’s future.
At its peak, roughly 100 residents called it home, establishing local government and laying foundations for growth. You’re fundamentally walking through a place where real decisions shaped real lives.
That ambition burned bright until shifting economic forces redirected everything, leaving behind only quiet ruins for adventurous travelers like you to explore today.
The Move To Rankin
Upland’s reign as county seat ended abruptly once the railroad bypassed the town entirely, steering economic momentum toward Rankin instead.
Businesses followed the rails, residents packed up, and Upland’s political authority evaporated almost overnight. Rankin claimed the county seat title, stripping Upland of its historical significance and leaving its courthouse, jail, and cemetery standing as quiet monuments to a town that simply ran out of time.
When you visit today, you’ll feel that abrupt abandonment firsthand.
The remaining structures don’t romanticize the loss — they document it honestly. Upland’s story reminds you that survival often depended on forces beyond any community’s control. The railroad chose Rankin, and history followed without hesitation.
That raw reality makes exploring Upland feel less like tourism and more like reckoning.
Upland’s Population Decline
At its peak, Upland counted roughly 100 residents and carried the full weight of county government on its shoulders — a courthouse, a jail, and the administrative heartbeat of Upton County.
Then Rankin claimed the county seat, and Upland’s population dynamics shifted almost overnight. Residents followed opportunity, as free people do, packing up livelihoods and heading toward wherever economic relevance had moved.
The historical significance of that exodus is impossible to overstate — an entire functioning community simply evaporated. No catastrophe, no drought, no war. Just a bureaucratic decision that pulled the foundation out from under everything built there.
Today, one resident lives roughly five miles from the ruins, making Upland nearly a true ghost town. You’re visiting what ambition built and circumstance abandoned.
Where Exactly Is Upland, Texas?
You’ll find Upland sitting about 30 miles north of Midland, Texas, a stark stretch of West Texas terrain that once buzzed with the ambitions of a young county seat.
To reach the site, you’ll head out toward CR 200, where the ghost town‘s abandoned roads, crumbling buildings, and scattered remnants wait quietly in the open air.
Burnet County’s wide, unguarded landscape makes Upland easy to access during daylight hours, with no entry fee standing between you and the ruins.
Upland’s Geographic Location
Tucked about 30 miles north of Midland, Texas, Upland sits near CR 200 in Burnet County — once a lively county seat, now a quiet relic frozen in the early 20th century.
You’ll find it positioned off Highway 349 before reaching Rankin, where West Texas’s rugged geological features stretch endlessly across the Permian Basin landscape.
The flat, semi-arid terrain tells its own story — ancient seabeds compressed into layered rock, now home to scattered mesquite, pronghorn, and local wildlife that’ve reclaimed what humans abandoned.
Getting here means driving through open range where the horizon feels limitless.
That sense of freedom is exactly what makes Upland worth seeking out. It’s remote, it’s raw, and it rewards the travelers bold enough to find it.
Nearby Landmarks And Roads
Finding Upland means traversing West Texas backroads with purpose — head out along Highway 349 before Rankin, then cut toward CR 200, where the ghost town‘s remains sit roughly 30 miles north of Midland.
You’ll pass through open, unforgiving Upton County terrain that once supported a thriving county seat before Rankin claimed that title.
Your road trip gains historical weight here — the main library in Midland serves as a solid research stop before you venture out.
Landmark exploration rewards the prepared traveler: a courthouse shell, crumbling jail, and quiet cemetery mark Upland’s footprint against the flat West Texas skyline.
No gates, no fees, no crowds — just wide open access and the raw honesty of a place that history simply walked away from.
Getting to Upland From Midland and Beyond
Reaching Upland takes you about 30 miles north of Midland, Texas, where you’ll follow Highway 349 before cutting off toward Rankin — keep an eye out, because the turnoff onto CR 200 arrives quietly with little fanfare.
Midland routes offer the most straightforward starting point, making Upland accessibility relatively simple for anyone willing to navigate open West Texas roads.
From Midland, you’re looking at a short but rewarding drive through flat scrubland that feels genuinely remote.
No gates, no entry fees, and no crowds wait at the end — just the weathered remains of what was once Upton County’s first seat of government.
Visit during daylight hours, keep your tank full before leaving Midland, and bring water.
The land doesn’t coddle, but that’s exactly the point.
What You’ll Actually See at Upland Ghost Town
Once you step into Upland, 3 key remnants anchor the site: a courthouse, a jail, and a cemetery — each one a physical marker of a town that briefly held real administrative power before Rankin absorbed it in the early 20th century.
Beyond those structures, you’ll notice old roads cutting through the landscape, scattered buildings in various states of decay, and artifacts left behind by people who once believed Upland had a future.
Old roads, crumbling buildings, and scattered artifacts remain — quiet evidence left by those who believed in Upland’s future.
Ghost town exploration here rewards the observant — every crumbling wall tells you something about frontier ambition and institutional collapse.
The historical significance becomes tangible when you realize this wasn’t just a settlement; it was a functioning county seat.
Walk carefully, respect what remains, and let the silence do the storytelling.
The Courthouse, Jail, and Cemetery Up Close
As you explore Upland’s crumbling core, the courthouse and jail stand as the most tangible proof that a real county seat once operated here.
You’ll find the courthouse ruins holding their ground against decades of Texas wind and neglect, their weathered walls whispering of land disputes and frontier justice.
Just beyond, the cemetery’s markers anchor the human story of Upland, giving names and dates to the settlers who staked their futures on a town that time ultimately swallowed.
Courthouse Ruins Standing Today
Scattered across the flat West Texas landscape, the courthouse, jail, and cemetery stand as Upland’s most tangible reminders of its brief reign as Upton County’s first seat of government.
The courthouse architecture tells a raw, unfiltered story — walls worn by decades of wind, sun, and silence. You’ll notice the structure’s bones still holding form despite nature’s relentless reclaiming effort.
Ghost town history comes alive here in ways no museum can replicate. Walk the perimeter, study the remaining walls, and imagine county officials conducting business in this now-desolate shell.
The jail sits nearby, equally weathered, equally haunting. Unlike manicured historical sites, Upland demands nothing from you except curiosity.
You’re free to explore at your own pace, connecting directly with a forgotten chapter of Texas frontier governance.
Cemetery Markers And History
Few ghost town cemeteries carry the weight of Upland’s — here, weathered markers tell the compressed story of a community that burned bright and vanished within two decades.
You’ll find the cemetery significance immediately when you stand among the stones, reading names of settlers who staked everything on a county seat that didn’t survive the politics of Texas expansion.
Walk slowly. The historical markers, some crumbling, some surprisingly intact, reveal birth and death dates clustered tightly around the 1890s and 1900s — Upland’s entire lifespan compressed into a single generation.
These graves represent people who built a courthouse, raised families, and watched their town dissolve when Rankin claimed the county seat.
You’re standing where ambition met reality, and the silence here speaks louder than any historical record.
The Best Time of Year To Visit Upland Ghost Town
When’s the best time to visit Upland? Spring and fall are your best visiting months.
March through May brings mild temperatures and wildflowers across the West Texas plains, making your exploration of the courthouse ruins and cemetery far more comfortable.
Spring’s mild temps and blooming wildflowers make March through May the ideal time to roam Upland’s ruins.
October and November offer similar relief from the brutal summer heat.
Local weather turns punishing between June and August, with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F across the Upton County landscape.
You’ll want every advantage when you’re picking through abandoned structures and reading weathered historical markers.
Winter visits remain possible but occasional cold fronts can make open-site exploration less enjoyable.
Whatever month you choose, arrive during daylight hours since Upland offers no lighting infrastructure.
Pack water, wear sturdy boots, and embrace the raw freedom this forgotten ghost town delivers.
What To See Near Upland on the Same Drive
Rankin, Texas sits just a short drive from Upland and gives you the other half of Upton County’s founding story — it’s the town that fundamentally replaced Upland as the county seat in the early 20th century, making it a natural companion stop for anyone tracing that administrative shift firsthand.
Walk Rankin’s streets and you’ll immediately feel that contrast — an active community where Upland simply vanished. Stop at local roadside diners to fuel up and talk with residents who often know the surrounding history better than any guidebook.
From Rankin, you can also push toward Midland, where the main library holds additional research on both towns.
That entire stretch rewards ghost town photography enthusiasts with wide open West Texas landscapes, abandoned structures, and honest, unfiltered frontier atmosphere.
Where To Stay Near Upland, Texas
Midland, roughly 30 miles north of Upland, gives you the most practical base for this stretch of West Texas — it’s got full hotel infrastructure, dining, and direct access to the main library where you can dig deeper into Upton County’s history before or after your visit to the ruins.
Accommodation options range from budget chains to comfortable mid-range hotels, giving you flexibility depending on how long you’re pushing through the region.
From no-frills budget chains to solid mid-range stays, Midland keeps your lodging options open.
Rankin, the town that effectively replaced Upland as the county seat, sits closer to the site and offers a rawer, small-town overnight experience.
Either base puts you within striking distance of local attractions tied to West Texas’s boom-and-bust past.
Plan your overnight strategically — daylight hours at Upland are your most valuable resource.
Permits, Hours, and Research Sources Before You Visit
Upland sits openly accessible off CR 200 near Burnet, TX 78611, with no entry fee and no permit required — just show up during daylight hours and you’re good to go.
No bureaucratic hoops, no reservation systems, no guided tours — just open land and weathered history waiting for you to explore at your own pace.
Before you hit the road, sharpen your research tips by diving into the Atlas Obscura database, which documents Upland’s role as Upton County’s original seat.
The TexaScape entry titled “Upland, Texas, First Upton County Seat” adds valuable historical context.
If you want deeper records, the main library in Midland, roughly 30 miles south, holds additional regional archives.
Go prepared, go curious, and let the ruins tell their story.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Upland Compare to Terlingua as a Texas Ghost Town?
Both ghost towns offer unique history comparison experiences! You’ll find Upland’s courthouse and jail ruins contrast Terlingua’s trading post and diners. Each delivers distinct ghost town attractions, so you’re never short of adventurous Texas exploration.
Did Upland Ever Have a School or Church Within Its Boundaries?
The knowledge doesn’t confirm if Upland had a school or church, but you’ll discover its historic significance through a courthouse, jail, and cemetery — remnants that hint at a once-thriving community life worth exploring freely.
Can Children Safely Explore the Abandoned Buildings at Upland?
Crumbling walls and weathered wood whisper forgotten history, but you should supervise child safety closely during abandoned exploration at Upland. Unstable structures, rusted remnants, and scattered debris make it essential you keep curious young adventurers within careful reach.
Is Photography Allowed Throughout the Upland Ghost Town Site?
You’re free to capture stunning shots throughout Upland’s historic ruins! Follow ghost town etiquette by respecting the remnants, and use these photography tips: shoot during golden hour to highlight the courthouse and jail’s weathered, adventurous character.
How Long Does a Typical Visit to Upland Usually Take?
Once home to 100 souls, Upland’s history highlights can captivate you for one to two hours. You’ll want to explore freely, so visitor tips suggest arriving early during daylight for an adventurous, unhurried experience.
References
- https://middlejourney.com/road-trip-terlingua-the-texas-ghost-town-by-big-bend/
- https://texasghosttours.com/2025/04/22/haunted-highways/
- https://www.ghosttowns.com/states/tx/upland.html
- https://www.texasescapes.com/WestTexasTowns/Upland-Texas.htm
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3PQeBFxxmo
- https://www.enterprise.com/en/inspiration/drives/terlingua-texas-ghost-town.html
- https://www.frommers.com/slideshows/848476-9-ghost-towns-to-explore-during-road-trips-through-the-american-west/
- https://texashillcountry.com/hill-country-ghost-town-road-trip/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4h31GmfaPw
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Texas
