Entry No. 90 — the Durango file — filed under: ghost town

Animas Forks Mine and Ghost Town

Perched at 11,200 feet in the San Juan Mountains, Animas Forks is a remarkably well-preserved ghost town that boomed during the late-1800s silver and gold rush. Established in 1874, the mining camp once housed hundreds of residents who famously dug tunnels through 25 feet of snow to navigate brutal winters. Today, visitors can explore several standing wooden structures managed by the BLM, including the iconic Duncan House with its distinct bay window, a small jail, and nearby mill ruins.

The move: Rent a high-clearance 4WD vehicle in Silverton and drive up the scenic Alpine Loop to explore the historic townsite, taking photos of the weathered wooden cabins and enjoying a picnic surrounded by dramatic alpine peaks.

📍 Before you go The townsite is a designated historic site managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is legally open to the public during the summer and fall, though visitors must not enter any blocked-off or structurally unstable mining shafts.

• 📍 Animas Forks Mine
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Animas Forks Mine, Colorado 81433, USA

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Wikipedia · historycolorado.org

last checked: 2026-07-20