4 Ghost Towns of Clear Creek Canyon | Beaver City, Vicksburg, Rockdale, Winfield

Clear Creek Canyon is full of ruins from Colorado’s early mining days. There are four remaining ghost towns in the canyon, which lies just west of Clear Creek Reservoir from Highway 24.

Clear Creek runs the length of the canyon and is a tributary to the Arkansas River. Miners began prospecting tributaries to the Arkansas River in the 1860s. Most of the old mining towns reached their heyday around 1890.

Vicksburg and Winfield are the best preserved out of the four. They are both located on County Road 390, which is almost halfway between Leadville and Buena Vista.

Getting to Clear Creek Canyon near Leadville

Clear Creek Canyon Historic Area — Clear Creek Canyon has several ghost towns.

Take Highway 24 north from Buena Vista or south from Leadville to CR 390/Clear Creek Res. Take this 2WD road back to the ghost towns. Winfield is the last town you reach 12 miles back.

The 2WD road should be good for most cars, but it does receive heavy truck traffic, so expect bumps. It’s open in the winter, but the road is not plowed, so the other seasons are best for seeing the ruins.

Camping near Clear Creek Reservoir and Ghost Towns

Clear Creek Lake — Clear Creek Reservoir lies at the start of County Road 390.

There is one campground at Clear Creek Reservoir and many free dispersed car campsites on the road back to Winfield. Please use an existing site and pack out everything you pack in.

Beaver City, CO

Beaver City was the first mining camp in Clear Creek Canyon. Two of the original twenty buildings remain. It’s the first old town you reach on CR 390.

Beaver City CO Ghost Town — A cabin in Beaver City.

Beaver City Ghost Town Cabin — A second cabin.

Beaver City CO — Beaver City ruins are circa 1880.

Beaver City CO Shed — Shed and outhouse out back.

Beaver City CO Cabin — Backside of cabin two.

Vicksburg, CO

Vicksburg was the second largest town in the canyon, with around 600-700 people during its peak. A museum is open some weekends during the summer. There’s also a recording outside that tells the local history, available 24/7. Many of the cabins in Vicksburg are privately owned and seasonally occupied.

Vicksburg CO Mining Ruins — Air Compressor from the Rockdale Mine.

Vicksburg CO Tram Drum — Tram Drum from the Fortune Mine.

Vicksburg CO Ghost Town — Welcome to Vicksburg.

Vicksburg Ghost Town Museum Interior — The museum is set up as an typical miner’s home.

Vicksburg CO Fire Ring — A fire ring out back.

Vicksburg Ghost Town — Another old cabin.

Vicksburg CO Storage Shack — An old storage shed.

Vicksburg CO Target — A makeshift target in the woods behind town.

Vicksburg CO Aluminum Cans — Some flattened aluminum cans scattered on the ground.

Vicksburg CO Ruins — Some wheeled relic.

Vicksburg Ghost Town US Flag — A U.S. flag waves proud.

Vicksburg Ghost Town Cabin — Between cabins.

Rockdale, CO

Another smaller town with several original buildings remaining. It’s located just past Vicksburg and Winfield. Several cabins are remaining.

Rockdale CO Ghost Towns — Looking back on the four cabins. There is also a fifth around the corner.

Winfield, CO

Prospecting was done in the Winfield area in 1867, but the town didn’t reach its heyday until 1890. It had 1500 hundred residents and was the largest town in the canyon. There is a furnished schoolhouse and miner’s cabin, open on select weekends in summer.

Winfield CO Harry Payne Cabin — Harry Payne Cabin.

Winfield CO School Museum — Winfield School Museum.

Winfield School Museum Interior — Inside the School Museum.

Winfield CO Ball Cabin — Ball Cabin – a typical home of early day miners.

Winfield Ghost Town Ball Cabin — Inside the Ball Cabin.

Winfield Ghost Town Cabin — Another cabin.

Winfield Ghost Town Shacks — Some shacks in Winfield Ghost Town.

Head out on to these ghost towns between Buena Vista and Leadville. Whether camping or lodging nearby, a drive up Clear Creek Canyon will be a memorable and enjoyable experience.

4 Ghost Towns near Leadville, Colorado