Entry No. 41 — the Las Vegas file — filed under: ghost town

St. Thomas Ghost Town

Established by Mormon settlers in 1865, St. Thomas was a frontier town that was completely submerged under Lake Mead in 1938 following the construction of the Hoover Dam. Due to severe, ongoing droughts, the town's ruins re-emerged in 2002 and have remained dry ever since. Visitors can explore the exposed concrete foundations, including the remains of the local schoolhouse, post office, and an ice cream parlor chimney.

The move: Take a scenic drive to the northern end of Lake Mead National Recreation Area and hike the 2.5-mile loop trail together to photograph the sun-bleached foundations and historic ruins.

📍 Before you go The site is located within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and is legally open to the public via a designated hiking trail maintained by the National Park Service.

• 📍 Moapa Valley
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: FJ8H+VJ, Moapa Valley, NV 89040, USA

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

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: nps.gov · travelnevada.com

last checked: 2026-07-20