Gold Point Ghost Town Loop

Three authentic ghost towns—Gold Point, Lida, and Goldfield Junction—connect via a network of mining roads that thread through the Goldfield Hills near the California border. Gold Point still has residents who maintain the original wooden buildings and a functioning saloon, while Lida offers crumbling stone foundations and rusted mining equipment scattered across a moonscape valley. The route follows old freight roads that once hauled ore to the Tonopah railroad, crossing several low passes with panoramic views of the Funeral Mountains and Death Valley beyond.

Most of the loop runs on well-maintained gravel suitable for high-clearance vehicles, but a few technical sections around the mining claims require 4WD. Spring and fall provide ideal conditions—summer heat can be dangerous this close to Death Valley. No permits needed for the BLM and private roads, but respect the active mining claims and private property around Gold Point. Stock up on fuel in Goldfield before starting this 60-mile loop. You’ll experience three distinct ghost towns in one trip, each representing different eras of Nevada’s mining boom and bust cycles.