Entry No. 88 — the Durango file — filed under: outdoor

Sunnyside Mill foundation & ruins

Located in the ghost town of Eureka along the scenic Alpine Loop, the Sunnyside Mill was once a massive ore-processing facility that served Colorado's largest gold mine. After the mill permanently closed in 1939, the town was quickly abandoned, and the wooden superstructure of the mill was eventually dismantled. Today, all that remains of this industrial giant are its colossal, multi-tiered concrete foundations cascading down the red-mineral hillside.

The move: Take a scenic drive along the Alpine Loop from Silverton to the Eureka townsite, where you can park and take a stroll through the historic ghost town. Photograph the dramatic, towering concrete ruins of the mill against the mountain backdrop, then enjoy a picnic near the Animas River.

📍 Before you go The ruins sit on public BLM land within the historic Eureka townsite and are free to visit, but the concrete foundations themselves are structurally unstable and should only be viewed and photographed from the safety of the ground.

• 📍 Silverton
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Silverton, CO 81433, USA

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

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: uncovercolorado.com · westernmininghistory.com · legendsofamerica.com

last checked: 2026-07-20