15 Abandoned Places In Wyoming [MAP]

Last Updated on May 25, 2022 by Urbex Underground

Hunting for abandoned places in Wyoming? You’re in the right place. Below are 15 of my favorite abandoned places across the islands of Hawaii!

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Abandoned Places In Wyoming

1.  Transcontinental Airway System Arrow

41.85164, -109.18784

History:

The Transcontinental Airway System (TCAS) was a way to guide airplanes during nighttime flights in the mid 19th century before radars, and radio communications weren’t common. The Transcontinental Airway System was constructed with a series of concrete arrow platforms and beacons spanning the entire country from the East to the west. Poor visibility and harsh weather made nighttime mail delivery impossible, so pilots used these landmarks to guide them.

What’s left?

These old signs were used to guide pilots across the country. There are now many of them scattered across the United States. Some are still standing while others have fallen victim to nature. Regardless of the condition of the beacons, they serve the same purpose. They helped early pilots navigate nighttime flights. As of now, this area is open to the public, and you can visit it easily. If you happen to come across one of these abandoned places in Wyoming, take a photo of it and share it with the world.

2. Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum

41.79366, -107.24303

History:

A visit to the Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum in Rawlins is sure to stir your senses. Although a former jail, this prison is no longer in use. In fact, it is considered to be one of the most haunting places in Wyoming. It housed the state’s most violent and criminal offenders. It lacked running water or electricity and had little or no heating. The cells are filled with a grim history that makes the site even more fascinating. In 1981, it was moved to a new location.

What’s left?

To look into the dark side of Wyoming’s history, visit the Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum. Known affectionately as the “Old Pen,” this historic prison has a haunting history that you won’t want to miss. The museum features an extensive display of historical information and artifacts, including confiscated inmate-made weapons and the exhibit of the movie “Prison.”

Of all the abandoned places in Wyoming, many believe that the Wyoming Frontier Prison is the most haunted, due to its dark and tumultuous past.

3. The Wreck of the E.C. Waters

44.51061, -110.38183

History:

The E.C. Waters was a steamship that carried passengers and cargo into Yellowstone National Park in 1891. The steamship also featured a wild game show and was able to transport buffalo from the mainland to Dot Island in Yellowstone Lake. The E.C. Waters was a 125-passenger steamboat. It cost 60,000 dollars, which is equivalent to about 1.8 million dollars today. The crew members of the E.C. Waters reportedly treated the animals aboard the ship in deplorable conditions. Many passengers reported poaching on the boat, and other complaints were made. 

What’s left?

Though she was abandoned in 1899, the wreck reminds her past. It is now a skeletal reminder of Yellowstone’s history. The artifacts were recovered by remotely operated vehicles and are being studied and preserved for an interesting story. The artifacts found in the wreck include pieces of glass made, a rare ship’s stove, and other items that indicate the ship’s history.

While there are many abandoned places in Wyoming, there are very few ship wrecks, making the E.C Waters truly a unique place to visit.

4. Smith Mansion

44.4611, -109.49421

History:

If you’ve ever wondered about the history of Wyoming, you’ve probably stumbled across the Smith Mansion. A century ago, a rich man, Louis Smith, built a mansion on a beautiful piece of land. The plantation was on a bend in the Red River, which explains why it is abandoned today. 

This abandoned house is located eight miles northwest of Natchitoches, on an oxbow bend of the Red River. Originally built in the style of a raised Creole cottage, it has sat abandoned since the late 1970s. A large tree recently crushed the rear addition, exposing the interior. 

What’s left?

A woman named Sunny Smith Larsen hoped to raise funds to open up the mansion, but it remained closed for years. While Larsen hoped to open the mansion to the public, she ultimately decided to sell it to a developer who owns nearby tourism businesses.

There’s no word yet on what the new owner plans to do with the property. Today, you can still visit Smith Mansion, but you won’t be able to explore it until the new owner decides on their plans.

The abandoned building is a perfect example of the city’s decaying past. Although it has been abandoned and not used for years, its ruins remain to haunt the city’s inhabitants.

5. Bosler Ghost Town

41.57559, -105.69422

History:

If you’re looking to visit abandoned places in Wyoming, then you might want to pay a visit to Bosler Ghost Town. The Bosler Ghost Town is a picturesque, historic place that is a fascinating tourist destination in its own right.

Located along the Laramie River at the crossroads of US Routes 287 and 30, this town was abandoned in the early 20th century after the local railroad ceased industrial use. Despite its eerie atmosphere, the town still retains several intact buildings, including a historic school, a pharmacy, and a general store.

What’s left?

The town itself was once a bustling community. The town’s name comes from Frank Bosler, the owner of the nearby Diamond Ranch. In the 1970s, the last surviving buildings were mostly abandoned. Many of the buildings still stand, but most of them are unoccupied.

6. Carissa Mine Southpass City

42.47439, -108.79455

History:

The Carissa mine in Southpass City was a large placer mine that produced gold in the 1800s. Prospectors flocked to the area after the snow melted. This was the gold rush of the century! The mine was eventually abandoned, but the extracted gold was sold, and three of the four major pieces of equipment were never used again. 

The Carissa Mine is a fascinating example of an abandoned place in the United States. In the early 1800s, the Carissa Mine was a prosperous enterprise, providing the local economy with much-needed cash. Rich pockets of surface ore fueled the city’s gold rush, but deeper ore layers proved frustrating for miners due to water in the workings and complicated chemical ores. 

What’s left?

 However, the town’s boom lasted for only three years, and the Carissa Mine was reconstructed and now serves as a tourist attraction. Many other former buildings are still standing. Still, the buildings are mostly well preserved compared to many other abandoned places of the time.

7.  T.A. Moulton Barn

43.66068, -110.66497

History:

The T.A. Moulton Barn is one of the most photographed buildings in the US, and for a good reason. It was built in 1910 by Thomas Alma and his sons. Although the T.A. Moulton Barn has been abandoned for nearly 40 years, its history is fascinating. It is still the only surviving example of a grange built by the Moulton family in the early 1900s.

What’s left?

The T.A. Moulton Barn is one of the most famous structures in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Many photos in the valley feature this iconic structure. Though it’s now abandoned, the building’s legacy lives on.

It’s been deemed “the most photographed barn in the country,” and many people travel from all over to photograph it. The barn’s continued additions have added unique character to its appearance.

8. Atlantic City Ghost Town

42.49662, -108.73066

History:

While it may not seem as fascinating as a ghost town, the abandoned cabins of Atlantic City have a unique history. During the Depression, unemployed miners lived in cabins. Now, these old buildings are full-fledged tourist attractions. Take a side trip through time on America’s highways to visit one of these mysterious places.

What’s left?

There are several reasons to visit Atlantic City Ghost Town. One of the most popular is to get spooked. If you’re a history buff or you’re simply a big fan of scary stories, you can visit this place.

This haunted attraction is inexpensive and has plenty of scares. It’s an ideal destination for those who love history and ghost towns.

During the gold rush years, Atlantic City was the site of numerous gold mining operations. Today, it is home to a few residential structures and restaurants.

9. Miners Delight Ghost Town

42.53301, -108.68066

History:

The Miner’s Delight Ghost Town in Wyoming is a quaint little place in a remote part of the American Southwest. In the mid-1800s, gold was discovered near the town.

Today, the site is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and still contains important clues to early Wyoming history. A rugged walking path through the town and interpretive panels provide interesting facts about this ghost town. 

While many ghost towns are associated with the wild west, this one is unique. The west became rich with oil, silver, and gold, and people flocked to these regions to make their fortune.

Because the resources were shipped out via rail, miners began to establish towns in the Rockies. But to reach the railhead, they had to cross vast cattle ranches. Today, most ghost towns are remnants of the industrialization and westward expansion that started in the mid-1880s.

What’s left?

If you want to see a ghost town like none other, a visit to Miners Delight Ghost Town in Wyoming is a must. The town, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, contains eight historic log cabins that are still in an arresting state of decay.

10. Amelia Earhart Cabin Remnants

43.86618, -109.31567

History:

Amelia Earhart filed a mining claim in 1934 and had a builder start work on her cabin. She disappeared on her world flight in the summer of 1937, and only two walls had been completed. Before her disappearance, her cabin project was nearly complete; the only walls remaining were the windows. 

The Amelia Earhart Cabin Remnant is one of the few places in the world where she once lived. The cabin was constructed in the mountains near the town of Meeteetse. Earhart’s friend Carl Dunrud, who had lived in the cabin, cut the logs for her cabin and laid the foundation for the summer home in 1936.

What’s left?

It isn’t easy to imagine a much better-abandoned place in Wyoming than this one, and a visit to the Amelia Earhart Cabin Remnants would be an unforgettable experience. It is a popular tourist attraction in the area. The two walls have been devastated, and only four logs can be seen insight, along with some trees!

11. Kirwin Ghost Town

43.87634, -109.29792

History:

If you are interested in ghost towns and other abandoned places, you should visit Kirwin Ghost Town. This gold mining town was once home to 200 residents, but it was mostly abandoned due to an avalanche in 1907. This town was once a vibrant destination for travelers, but the mining industry dried up, and the town became an abandoned ghost town overnight.

What’s left?

If you are interested in abandoned places in Wyoming, you should take time to visit Kirwin Ghost Town, located in the Absaroka Mountains. A few buildings are still standing in the ghost town. You can even tour a building from that time, including some buildings where Amelia Earhart stayed. In addition, it is said that Kirwin is haunted.

12. Jay Em Ghost Town

42.46135, -104.36967

History:

Located on the old Texas Trail, Jay Em was a watering hole for the cowboys traveling from Texas to northern ranches and railheads.

Jim Moore, a Pony Express rider, claimed the land in the 1860s, and by 1869 he had the second-largest cattle operation in the Wyoming Territory. The town remained in operation until the late 1800s, and by the mid-1920s, the residents had moved to more distant towns.

What’s left?

A ghost town is not the same as a haunted house, and the streets of Jay Em aren’t paved, graveled, or even have sidewalks. Visiting the ghost town is a unique opportunity to experience the past. It will allow you to get a rare glimpse into the lives of people who live in the area.

13. Point of Rocks Stage Station

41.67639, -108.79162

History:

The historic Point of Rocks Stage Station has served many purposes throughout the years. It has served as a school, a store, and even a ranch headquarters. The stage station was built in 1862 and was later acquired by the state in 1947. 

The Point of Rocks Stage Station was built in 1862 to accommodate travelers on the Overland Route. It was built with native sandstone and mud mortar and served as a freight station, stage stop, and school. In 1867, Ben Holladay sold the stage route to Wells Fargo Express.

The station continued to serve passengers until 1868, when it became the starting point for Union Pacific Railroad freight operations.

What’s Left?

There are many reasons to visit the Point of Rocks Stage Station. Its historical significance dates back to the mid-1800s when it served as a Pony Express Station and stage station.

In the 1860s, it was the staging point for miners heading for gold. Stockmen also used the stage station to ship their cattle and other livestock to Chicago and Omaha. Unlike many abandoned places in Wyoming, the Point of Rocks Stage Station is open to the public and free to explore by anyone.

14. Piedmont Ghost Town

41.21699, -110.62624

History:

The Piedmont Ghost Town is one of Wyoming’s most popular abandoned places. This town sits on a large piece of land that was once home to hundreds of people. It was abandoned after digging the aspen tunnel in 1910 due to skipping the route and new track.

What’s left:

Today, it is a somber reminder of an era that seems long past. A visit to Piedmont Ghost Town will leave you speechless. The town is now mostly surrounded by a subdivision, but you can still find remnants of its past. There are still a few historic buildings in the town, such as the church.

15.  Sage Ghost Town

41.81355, -110.95824

History:

If you’re interested in ghost stories, Sage Ghost Town may be the right place for you. The town is adjacent to Union Pacific railroad tracks. Its haunted air screams of desertion. 

The ghost town is considered the most haunted place in Wyoming. It’s definitely a unique experience, and you should make your way there for the thrill of a lifetime!

What’s left?

Are you a history buff and want to check out the best ghost towns in the United States? If so, Sage Ghost Town is the place for you! This abandoned place in Wyoming is home to a mysterious history.

The ghost town is a popular destination for those seeking an adventure and fear of the unknown. There are several ghost stories and places of interest in the area, and you can explore several huts to find out more about this abandoned place. 

Go out and explore!

That concludes our list of abandoned places in Wyoming, but that doesn’t mean that’s all there is to find. Take the back roads, follow train tracks, and find some places for yourself. There are plenty of places I kept off this list so get out there and explore.

If you’re having trouble finding abandoned places, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Finding Abandoned Places, or explore abandoned places near you.