Rhyolite is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the West and an easy side trip from Death Valley. Founded after a gold strike in 1904, it grew within a few years to thousands of residents, with banks, hotels, newspapers, a stock exchange, an opera house and electric lights. Then the mines failed, and by the early 1920s the town was nearly empty. What remains are dramatic shells: the three-story bank, with its stone facade, the jail, the train depot of the Las Vegas and Tonopah Railroad and a famous house built from some 50,000 bottles. Next door, the Goldwell Open Air Museum adds a surreal sculpture garden, with a ghostly figures group based on the Last Supper and other works, all set against the open desert. Together, they make a memorable and photogenic stop.
The history
The Bullfrog Hills gold rush set off a frenzy in 1904 and 1905, with thousands of prospectors and speculators pouring in. Rhyolite became the largest town in the area, with a population that some sources put at several thousand, and its buildings were built to last.
But the ore was thin and the 1907 financial panic dried up investment. Within a few years the mines closed and people left, taking doors, timbers and even entire buildings with them. The ruins now stand in silence, and the contrast with the town's former ambition is striking.
How to visit
Rhyolite is a few miles west of Beatty, Nevada, on a short paved road off the highway to Death Valley. It is open to visitors without a ticket, and the ruins are scattered around a small area that can be walked in an hour or so. There is little shade, so bring water, sunscreen and a hat, and wear closed shoes because the ground has rusty nails and broken glass.
Look but do not climb on the walls, which are unstable. The Goldwell Open Air Museum is next to the ghost town, and its sculptures can be seen at any time of day, with the figures looking particularly eerie at dusk.
Making the most of it
Rhyolite fits neatly with a day on the northeast side of the park, perhaps with Ubehebe Crater and the dunes. Staying in Beatty makes the visit easy, and several small cafes and shops there offer a break. Late afternoon light is best for photography. If you are traveling from Las Vegas, some small-group tours combine Death Valley and Rhyolite in a single day.
History fans can also see the Beatty museum for more on the area. The ghost town and the park share a long mining story that stretches from the borax wagons to the gold booms, and visiting both gives a fuller picture of this region.
Extra tips
The best time for photography is late afternoon, when the low sun lights the bank facade and the surrounding hills. Look for the details in the Goldwell garden, including the shrouded figures, the giant pink miner and the colorful sculpture of a woman made from cinder blocks, all of which reflect the artists' interest in the desert and its history.
Bring a hat, as the exposed site offers little shade, and respect the signs asking you to stay out of buildings. Beatty has a small museum and cafes if you want to learn more about the area or have a meal after your visit.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk among ruined buildings and a bottle house, with an outdoor sculpture garden next door.
Best time
Morning or late afternoon; dusk for the sculptures.
How long
One to two hours.
Tips
Wear closed shoes, bring water and a hat, and do not climb on the ruins.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History fans, photographers and families who like exploring.
- Families
- Children enjoy the bottle house and sculptures; watch for broken glass.
- Couples
- Atmospheric at dusk.
- Pair with
- A night in Beatty or a Death Valley day tour.
- Time needed
- Up to two hours.
Good questions
Where is Rhyolite?+
In Nevada, a few miles west of Beatty, close to the northeast edge of Death Valley National Park.
Is there an entry fee?+
The ghost town is open to visitors without a ticket.
What can I see?+
A bank shell, a railroad depot, a jail, a house built from bottles and the Goldwell sculpture garden.
Is it safe to walk around?+
Yes, with care. Wear sturdy shoes, avoid climbing on walls and watch for glass and rusty nails.
How long should I allow?+
An hour or two covers the ruins and the sculptures.