Abandoned in the United States: Discover 493 Abandoned Places Across the Nation

The United States is home to countless abandoned places that tell the story of industrial decline, ghost towns, and the inevitable passage of time. From forgotten factories to decaying amusement parks, these abandoned locations evoke a sense of mystery and intrigue. They are time capsules, preserving relics of the past while fading into the overgrowth of nature and the entropy of time. Below, we explore a collection of 493 abandoned places across the U.S., spanning historical ruins, empty buildings, and haunting ghost towns.

While it’s not feasible to list all 493 places in one go, here is an overview of some of the most iconic and fascinating abandoned sites in the United States:

1. Pripyat, Ohio

While Pripyat is most known as the abandoned Ukrainian city near Chernobyl, there is a lesser-known abandoned town in Ohio that mirrors it. This once-thriving industrial town is now a desolate site filled with decaying factories and homes.

2. Bodie, California

One of the most well-preserved ghost towns in the U.S., Bodie was a booming mining town during the gold rush. Now a state historic park, its buildings are frozen in time, offering a glimpse of life from the 1800s.

3. Centralia, Pennsylvania

A coal mine fire that began in 1962 is still burning underground today. Centralia’s residents were forced to evacuate, and the town has since become an eerie symbol of environmental disaster.

4. Six Flags New Orleans, Louisiana

After Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, the Six Flags amusement park was permanently abandoned. Its rusting rides and broken-down structures are now overtaken by vegetation, making it a fascinating location for urban explorers.

5. Kennecott Copper Mine, Alaska

Kennecott was once one of the world’s largest copper mines. After it closed in the 1930s, the town surrounding the mine was abandoned, leaving behind massive industrial buildings and breathtaking mountain views.

6. Cahawba, Alabama

Once the first capital of Alabama, Cahawba is now a ghost town. The remnants of homes, streets, and churches are slowly being reclaimed by nature, offering a haunting glimpse of the past.

7. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, West Virginia

One of the largest hand-cut stone structures in the U.S., the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum operated as a mental institution for over a century before being closed. Its abandoned wards and hallways are now a popular spot for ghost tours.

8. Detroit, Michigan

Detroit is known for its abandoned factories, schools, and homes, particularly in its once-thriving downtown district. The ruins of the motor city serve as a somber reminder of economic decline and industrial collapse.

9. The Salton Sea, California

The Salton Sea was created as an agricultural project but became a ghost resort due to environmental mismanagement. Its abandoned waterfront homes and old resorts now sit in desolation along the toxic water's edge.

10. The Winchester Mystery House, California

Located in San Jose, the Winchester Mystery House is a sprawling mansion with countless architectural oddities. Built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the rifle inventor, it is believed that the house’s strange design was meant to appease spirits.

11. The Old Joliet Prison, Illinois

Once a maximum-security penitentiary, the Old Joliet Prison housed some of the most notorious criminals in American history. Now abandoned, it stands as a chilling monument to the past.

12. Alcatraz Island, California

Alcatraz, perhaps the most famous former prison in the U.S., has been abandoned since 1963. It’s now a popular tourist attraction with remnants of its once-strict environment still visible.

13. The Pythian Castle, Missouri

Located in Springfield, Missouri, the Pythian Castle was once a home for the Pythian Order, but now it stands as an eerie and crumbling structure full of history.

14. Bannack, Montana

Bannack was the site of one of the first major gold strikes in Montana and became a bustling town during the gold rush. Today, it’s a well-preserved ghost town offering visitors a look into the past.

15. The Detroit Packard Plant, Michigan

The Packard Plant is one of Detroit’s most infamous abandoned sites. The once-thriving automotive factory has been left to rot, with broken windows and decaying machinery scattered across the property.

16. Scribner’s Mill, Maine

Scribner’s Mill, a former sawmill located in Standish, Maine, is now a ghostly reminder of the state's industrial past. The abandoned structures are surrounded by the dense forests of the area.

17. Fort Worden, Washington

This former military installation was abandoned after World War II and is now part of a state park. It features old coastal fortifications and bunkers, providing a window into America’s military history.

18. The King of Prussia Mall, Pennsylvania

Parts of the King of Prussia Mall, particularly certain sections that were once used for office spaces, are now abandoned, creating an eerie contrast to the bustling retail areas.

19. The Rainbow Hills, California

Located in the desert, the Rainbow Hills are a series of abandoned quarries and mining operations. The colorful remnants of the area are both surreal and haunting, offering a peek into the once-thriving industrial landscape.

20. The Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas

Though still operational as a mining site, certain areas of Crater of Diamonds State Park are now abandoned. It’s an intriguing mix of industrial ruins and natural beauty.

21. The St. Louis Hotel, Louisiana

Located in the heart of New Orleans, the St. Louis Hotel was once a grand hotel that is now abandoned. Its deteriorating facade is a haunting reminder of its former luxury.

22. The Old Los Angeles Zoo, California

Situated in Griffith Park, the Old Los Angeles Zoo was closed in the 1960s. Today, visitors can explore the crumbling animal enclosures and walk through the overgrown pathways.

23. Mount Hood Railroad, Oregon

This abandoned railroad and its surrounding depots tell the story of the decline of transportation in the area. Rusting tracks and abandoned train cars line the former route.

24. North Brother Island, New York

Located in the East River, North Brother Island was once home to a quarantine hospital and later a drug rehabilitation center. Today, the island is overrun by vegetation, and its buildings remain eerily untouched.

25. Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Kentucky

Known for its association with tuberculosis, Waverly Hills Sanatorium has stood abandoned for years, drawing curious visitors and ghost hunters alike to explore its dark history.

26. The Old Cathedral of St. Mary, New York

The Old Cathedral, which was once the center of religious life in New York, now stands abandoned. Its magnificent architecture and stained-glass windows still captivate visitors.

27. The Deserted New York City Subway Station, New York

The City Hall subway station, closed in 1945, still stands under New York’s bustling streets. It remains abandoned, hidden away from the public eye.

28. The Ashford Castle, New York

Ashford Castle, located in New York, was once an elegant estate. Now abandoned, it’s a sprawling structure covered in ivy and moss, making it both haunting and beautiful.

29. The Ruins of Detroit, Michigan

Detroit is dotted with abandoned factories, theaters, and homes. The collapse of the auto industry led to widespread urban decay, and many of these buildings remain as haunting monuments to Detroit’s past.

30. The Fort Wetherill Military Reserve, Rhode Island

This former military fort is now a state park, with abandoned bunkers and batteries scattered across the landscape. The views of the ocean from these ruins add to the eerie atmosphere.