Entry No. 92 — the Grand Junction file — filed under: ghost_town

Book Cliff Mine

Established in 1884, the Book Cliff Mine was a prominent coal operation that birthed the short-lived mining town of Carpenter and the Little Book Cliff Railway. A devastating underground coal seam fire ignited in 1923, leading to the site's abandonment in 1925. Today, stone foundations, old building remnants, and a sealed adit remain, though the subterranean fire continues to smolder and release toxic gases.

The move: Take a guided UTV tour or drive a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle up Carpenter Canyon Road to view the dramatic desert landscape and safely photograph the distant stone ruins of the ghost town from behind the safety fences.

📍 Before you go The mine itself is sealed, fenced off, and extremely dangerous due to an active underground coal seam fire that releases toxic gases. While the surrounding Carpenter Canyon is a popular public OHV recreation area, visitors must stay behind the gates and fences of the historic mine site.

• 📍 Book Cliff Mine
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Book Cliff Mine, Colorado 81520, USA

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

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Wikipedia

last checked: 2026-07-20