Forgotten Places in the USA: Exploring America’s Abandoned Gems

The United States is a vast country with a rich and diverse history, and hidden within it are forgotten places—once-thriving towns, cities, buildings, and industrial sites that have been left behind by time, industry, and social change. These forgotten places are often a testament to the rise and fall of industries, cultural shifts, and the passage of time. Exploring these forgotten corners of the U.S. offers a unique and haunting look into the past, where nature begins to reclaim what was once man-made.

In this post, we’ll take a journey to some of the most fascinating and eerie forgotten places in the USA—abandoned towns, factories, and landmarks that continue to capture the imagination of urban explorers, photographers, and history enthusiasts alike.

1. Bodie, California – A Ghost Town Preserved in Time

Bodie is one of California's most famous ghost towns and stands as a well-preserved relic from the gold rush era. Founded in the mid-1800s, Bodie was a thriving mining town that reached its peak population of over 10,000 people. However, after the mines started to deplete, the town slowly withered away and was abandoned by the 1940s.

What makes Bodie unique is its state of preservation—thanks to its remote location and the harsh desert climate, it has remained largely intact. Many of the original buildings, including saloons, homes, a post office, and a church, are still standing, and the town feels frozen in time. Today, it is a state park and remains one of the best examples of a preserved ghost town in the U.S.

Why visit?

It’s a rare opportunity to step back in time and witness an old West mining town in its original state.

Great for photography, as the crumbling structures and barren landscape create an eerie and captivating atmosphere.

2. Centralia, Pennsylvania – The Town That Can’t Be Saved

Centralia is perhaps one of the most well-known abandoned places in the U.S., thanks to its unique and disturbing history. In 1962, a fire ignited in the local landfill and slowly spread into the extensive coal mines beneath the town. Despite efforts to extinguish the fire, it has continued to burn underground for over five decades, making the area unsafe for habitation.

Most residents evacuated by the 1980s due to dangerous carbon monoxide levels and the risk of sudden ground subsidence. Today, Centralia is mostly abandoned, with only a handful of residents remaining. The once-thriving town now has overgrown streets, abandoned homes, and an apocalyptic feel, as smoke and steam often rise from cracks in the ground.

Why visit?

The eerie atmosphere created by the underground fire and the abandoned homes is like something straight out of a post-apocalyptic movie.

Centralia has become an urban exploration destination, drawing adventurers and photographers fascinated by its eerie, desolate landscape.

3. Pripyat, Chernobyl, and the United States: A Similar Tale of Abandonment – The Hanford Site (Washington)

While Pripyat in Ukraine is often the most famous abandoned site associated with nuclear disasters, the Hanford Site in Washington State also carries its own unique and dark legacy. Originally established during World War II as part of the Manhattan Project, the Hanford Nuclear Reservation played a major role in producing plutonium for atomic bombs. By the late 1980s, much of the site was decommissioned, and radioactive contamination led to the abandonment of much of the facility.

Though much of the area is still highly restricted due to contamination, certain parts of the Hanford Site can be visited through official tours, and the area remains an ongoing environmental and historical project.

Why visit?

The Hanford Site remains a chilling reminder of the dark side of nuclear history, and while it is still restricted, visitors can learn more about its role in the U.S. nuclear program.

It’s an eerie, large-scale site that remains abandoned and untouched, offering a glimpse into the powerful legacy of the nuclear age.

4. The Salton Sea, California – The Accidental Resort

The Salton Sea in California is one of the most mysterious and eerie forgotten places in the U.S. It was created accidentally in 1905 when a canal breach flooded the Salton Sink, creating a massive inland sea. Over the years, the Salton Sea became a popular resort area, attracting tourists to its beaches and recreational activities.

However, after decades of overuse, poor water quality, and environmental neglect, the Salton Sea began to degrade, leading to a sharp decline in tourism and eventual abandonment. The once-popular resorts and communities around the sea now sit in ruin, with abandoned motels, boardwalks, and houses that seem frozen in time.

Why visit?

The eerie, almost post-apocalyptic feel of abandoned resorts alongside a deteriorating water body makes it an interesting destination for photographers and explorers.

The site also has environmental significance, as the dried-up sea and exposed shores have created environmental challenges in the region.

5. Kolmanskop, Namibia – A Deserted Diamond Mine Town

While Kolmanskop is technically not in the USA, its story is similar to many abandoned mining towns across the country. This diamond mining town in Namibia flourished in the early 1900s when a rich deposit of diamonds was discovered. However, when diamond resources dwindled in the 1950s, the town was abandoned.

Today, Kolmanskop is a well-preserved ghost town, with its German colonial architecture and artifacts remaining largely intact. The most striking feature of Kolmanskop is the sand dunes that have gradually entered the buildings, filling rooms and giving the entire place an ethereal, otherworldly vibe.

Why visit?

Kolmanskop is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the world, offering a rare glimpse into the life of a once-thriving mining community.

The haunting image of the desert slowly reclaiming the buildings is a captivating spectacle for photographers.

6. Detroit, Michigan – The Motor City’s Decay

Detroit is a sprawling city that has witnessed a massive economic decline over the past few decades. Once the heart of America’s automotive industry, the city is now home to an alarming number of abandoned buildings, factories, and homes. The decline of the automobile industry, population loss, and financial mismanagement led to vast sections of Detroit being left behind. Now, Detroit is a symbol of urban decay, with forgotten skyscrapers, crumbling theaters, and abandoned schools that were once symbols of prosperity.

Why visit?

Detroit offers some of the most dramatic examples of urban abandonment in the U.S. Urban explorers flock here to capture its decaying, dystopian architecture.

It also serves as a reminder of the rise and fall of America’s industrial power.

7. The Kingdome, Seattle – The Fallen Giant

The Kingdome in Seattle was once the home of the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Mariners. Opened in 1976, it was a landmark in the city and a marvel of engineering. However, by the late 1990s, the Kingdome became outdated, and it was demolished in 2000 to make way for a new stadium, Seahawks Stadium (now Lumen Field). Though not an entirely forgotten place, the Kingdome is a symbol of rapid change in the city’s sports infrastructure.

Why visit?

The Kingdome’s demolition marked the end of an era in Seattle’s sports history.

Its abandonment symbolizes the need for constant progress and innovation, even at the cost of beloved landmarks.

8. The Hotel Del Salto, Colombia (Near USA)

This abandoned hotel in Colombia is a grand example of what happens when places of glory fade away. Perched above the Tequendama Falls, it was once a luxurious getaway for travelers seeking a beautiful view. However, the hotel was abandoned in the late 1990s due to its decline and rumors of hauntings. The decaying hotel now offers an eerie and beautiful sight as nature reclaims it.

While not in the U.S., the tale of the Hotel Del Salto mirrors many of the abandoned places across America—once symbols of luxury, they’ve become forgotten and decayed as time and circumstances change.

Conclusion: The Allure of Forgotten Places

Forgotten places in the U.S. offer a window into the past, capturing snapshots of moments that have been lost to time. These locations—whether they’re ghost towns, abandoned factories, or once-thriving landmarks—stand as silent witnesses to the rise and fall of industries, communities, and cultures. For urban explorers, photographers, and history enthusiasts, these places are a treasure trove of stories waiting to be rediscovered. They are also a reminder that nothing lasts forever, and time has a way of claiming what was once vibrant and full of life. Whether through curiosity, photography, or historical preservation, forgotten places continue to captivate and inspire people across the world.