Top 50 Abandoned Places In The USA: Discover Hidden Ruins

The United States is home to many abandoned places that were once bustling with life, energy, and purpose. These forgotten ruins have become fascinating remnants of history, art, and culture, often overlooked by the public. Whether it’s an abandoned prison, a deserted amusement park, or an old mining town, the allure of these places is undeniable. Here’s a list of the top 50 abandoned places across the USA, each telling a unique story of what once was and what remains.

1. Pripyat, Chernobyl (Ohio)

Pripyat, though not officially in the USA, has an eerie connection to abandoned places worldwide. The urban decay in this place is a stark reminder of disaster’s aftermath. It’s often explored symbolically in US abandoned places discussions.

2. Bodie State Historic Park (California)

Once a thriving gold-mining town, Bodie was abandoned when the gold ran out. Today, it’s preserved as a ghost town, with its buildings and artifacts still in place, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past.

3. Centralia (Pennsylvania)

Centralia was once a thriving mining town, but an underground coal fire ignited in 1962 and still burns today. The town was eventually abandoned, leaving a haunting landscape of cracked streets and overgrown homes.

4. The Hoover Dam’s Power Plant (Nevada)

While the Hoover Dam is still operational, the nearby power plant, once used for electricity distribution, is now an abandoned ruin that visitors can explore.

5. Kennecott Copper Mine (Alaska)

Kennecott was one of the most productive copper mines in history. The town was abandoned after the mine closed in the 1930s, leaving behind a giant, rusting industrial landscape.

6. The Dungeness Ruins (Georgia)

These are the remains of a once-grand estate built by Thomas Carnegie, the brother of steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. Overgrown with ivy and foliage, the ruins are now a mysterious sight.

7. The Salton Sea (California)

A man-made disaster area, the Salton Sea was once a popular resort destination. However, environmental issues and agricultural runoff have turned the area into a desolate, abandoned landscape.

8. Cahawba (Alabama)

Once the first capital of Alabama, Cahawba is now an eerie ghost town, its decaying buildings and overgrown streets surrounded by wetlands.

9. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (West Virginia)

This massive and eerie asylum, built in the 19th century, housed mentally ill patients for decades. Today, it stands abandoned and is a popular site for ghost hunters.

10. Six Flags New Orleans (Louisiana)

After Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans in 2005, Six Flags was permanently abandoned. The overgrown roller coasters and waterlogged attractions make it a haunting and surreal place to visit.

11. North Brother Island (New York)

Located in the East River, this small island once housed a hospital for contagious diseases. Now, it is abandoned and covered in dense vegetation, with the old buildings left in eerie isolation.

12. The Old Joliet Prison (Illinois)

This prison, which operated for over 100 years, is now a popular abandoned site. Known for its brutal history, it is often the setting for movies and TV shows.

13. The Ruins of Detroit (Michigan)

Detroit is home to a number of abandoned buildings, factories, and homes, especially in its downtown area. Many of these places are symbols of the city's decline and economic struggles.

14. Alcatraz Island (California)

While the infamous Alcatraz prison is a popular tourist attraction, many areas of the island remain abandoned and decaying, including old hospital buildings and prison structures.

15. The Winchester Mystery House (California)

Located in San Jose, this sprawling mansion is said to have been continuously built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the rifle’s inventor. Its confusing, labyrinth-like design is both eerie and beautiful.

16. The Hotel Chelsea (New York)

This iconic hotel in Manhattan once housed a wide array of artistic legends, from Bob Dylan to Sid Vicious. Now, it’s a mix of abandoned areas and ongoing restoration.

17. The Detroit Packard Plant (Michigan)

Once a massive automotive factory, this abandoned site in Detroit is filled with the decaying skeletons of production lines, industrial machines, and office buildings.

18. The Long Abandoned Metropolis (Illinois)

Once a thriving city, Metropolis is now a ghost town. The remnants of its former life can be seen in the vacant houses and shops that still stand.

19. Fort Worden (Washington)

This former military fort, now a state park, has several abandoned structures, including old military bunkers, barracks, and coastal defense artillery.

20. The Rainbow Hills (California)

Hidden in the desert landscape of California, the Rainbow Hills are a series of abandoned quarries and mines, which offer a colorful and eerie view of desert industrialism gone awry.

21. Scribner’s Mill (Maine)

Scribner’s Mill, an abandoned sawmill, offers a glimpse into the industrial era. Its ancient buildings are surrounded by forests, making it both historic and haunting.

22. The Arizona State Prison (Arizona)

This desolate and abandoned prison, built in the early 1900s, is now a popular location for urban explorers. The prison cells, guard towers, and decrepit interiors paint a grim picture of the past.

23. The Tunnels Underneath Las Vegas (Nevada)

Beneath the famous city, an extensive series of tunnels was created for utilities and drainage. Now, these tunnels are home to homeless individuals, urban explorers, and forgotten remnants of old Vegas.

24. The King of Prussia Mall (Pennsylvania)

While much of the mall remains functional, some parts of the King of Prussia Mall have been abandoned, including old retail spaces that have fallen into decay.

25. The Fort Wetherill Military Reserve (Rhode Island)

Abandoned during the Cold War, this former military installation has bunkers and coastal fortifications to explore, offering both scenic views and a sense of history.

26. The London Bridge (Arizona)

The famous London Bridge, originally built in the UK, was moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Over time, parts of the area surrounding it have become abandoned and eerie.

27. The Crater of Diamonds State Park (Arkansas)

Once an active mining site, the Crater of Diamonds now offers visitors a chance to search for gemstones. However, certain abandoned portions of the park add to its mystique.

28. The Delamar Ghost Town (Nevada)

A once-thriving mining town that boomed in the 19th century, Delamar is now a ghost town filled with the ruins of its former life.

29. The Old Cathedral of St. Mary (New York)

This old cathedral, abandoned but still standing in New York, is filled with beauty, yet tells a story of a city that has moved on from its original roots.

30. The Old Los Angeles Zoo (California)

Located in Griffith Park, this abandoned zoo features old animal enclosures, cracked concrete, and overgrown paths.

31. Waverly Hills Sanatorium (Kentucky)

This former tuberculosis sanatorium has become one of the most famous haunted locations in the U.S. Its eerie, empty halls make it a popular stop for ghost hunters.

32. Mount Hood Railroad (Oregon)

Once a key route for transporting goods, this abandoned railroad still has train tracks, depots, and equipment rotting away in the woods.

33. The Ghost Town of Bannack (Montana)

Bannack was the site of one of the first major gold strikes in Montana. Today, it’s a well-preserved ghost town offering a glimpse of the Wild West.

34. The Deserted New York City Subway Station (New York)

A hidden and unused subway station known as the City Hall station was once part of the city's public transportation system. It’s now closed and often explored by urban adventurers.

35. The Old Naval Air Station (California)

The now-closed air station on Point Mugu has numerous abandoned hangars, barracks, and runways that once saw bustling military activity.

36. The S.S. Point Pleasant (West Virginia)

A sunken vessel, the Point Pleasant remains abandoned beneath the waves, now a part of local legend and exploration.

37. Crenshaw Subway Station (California)

This abandoned subway station, which has never been used by the public, is one of the most famous unused stations in the U.S.

38. The Castleberry Factory (Georgia)

Once a thriving factory, Castleberry in Georgia has been left abandoned, offering visitors a chance to walk through the ruins of a once-bustling production area.

39. The Ashford Castle (New York)

Once an elegant estate, Ashford Castle is now a large property covered in moss and ivy, creating an air of mystery and beauty.

40. The Pueblo Depot (Colorado)

This former U.S. Army depot stands abandoned and is filled with military equipment, old barracks, and storage rooms.

41. The St. Louis Hotel (Louisiana)

This historic hotel, located in the heart of New Orleans, has long been abandoned, its facade peeling, but still full of character and mystery.

42. The Pythian Castle (Missouri)

Built as a home for the Pythian Order, this abandoned castle has beautiful architecture but an eerie, silent interior.