Location: 12 miles (19 km) Northeast of Silverton, San Juan County, CO Map
Found: 1873
Animas Forks, Colorado, is a remarkably well-preserved ghost town nestled high in the San Juan Mountains, approximately 12 miles northeast of Silverton in San Juan County. Situated at an elevation of 11,200 to 11,584 feet—making it one of the highest mining camps in North America—this remote settlement is a testament to the resilience and ambition of the miners who once sought their fortunes in its gold and silver-rich hills. Established in the 1870s, Animas Forks flourished briefly as a bustling mining community before declining into abandonment by the 1920s. Today, it stands as a premier historical site along the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, drawing over 250,000 visitors annually to explore its weathered structures and rugged, haunting beauty.
Animas Forks, Colorado, is one of the most iconic and best-preserved
ghost towns in the American West. Located at an elevation of
approximately 11,200 feet (3,409 m) in the rugged San Juan Mountains of
San Juan County, about 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Silverton, it sits
at the confluence of the East, West, and North Forks of the Animas
River—hence its original name, “Three Forks of the Animas,” later
shortened by the U.S. Post Office.
Today, it is a popular tourist
destination accessible primarily by four-wheel-drive vehicles along the
65-mile Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, which connects Silverton, Ouray, and
Lake City. Roughly nine original wood-frame buildings and foundations of
about 30 more structures remain, stabilized and interpreted for
visitors. The site draws hundreds of thousands of tourists annually and
is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as a National Register
of Historic Places-listed historic site (listed 2011–2012).
Founding and Early Boom (1873–1885)
The history of Animas Forks is
deeply tied to the Colorado mining boom that followed the 1873 Brunot
Agreement, which opened former Ute tribal lands to prospectors. Gold and
silver were discovered in the area in 1873, and the first log cabin was
built that year by miners wintering at the remote, high-altitude site.
Colorado transportation magnate Otto Mears constructed a wagon road in
1875, greatly improving access and spurring development. The Animas
Forks post office opened on February 8, 1875. By Colorado’s statehood in
1876, the town had grown into a bustling mining camp with about 30
cabins, a hotel, a general store, and a saloon.
Growth accelerated in
the late 1870s and early 1880s, fueled by speculative mining investments
and processing mills rather than consistently profitable ore production
(though nearby claims like the Sunnyside Extension eventually proved
viable). The town was formally laid out in 1877, incorporated in 1881
(as the second municipality in San Juan County), and briefly served as
the county seat before Silverton took over.
By 1883, the summer
population reached around 450 (some estimates for the broader area,
including mines, reached 1,500), supported by general stores, saloons,
restaurants, boarding houses, a blacksmith, livery stable, drugstore,
two assay offices, and even a two-cell jail (built 1882, the oldest
standing structure today). The Animas Forks Pioneer newspaper operated
from 1882 to 1886—one of the highest-altitude printing operations in
U.S. history.
Notable early structures included the grand Kalamazoo
House hotel (with a piano and the town’s only telephone) and the
two-story wood-frame Duncan House, built in 1879 by miner and postman
William Duncan. (It was later purchased by millionaire Tom Walsh for his
daughter Evalyn, though she never lived there; it is sometimes called
the Walsh House.) The town even boasted the first woman resident, Esther
Ekkard, who ran a boardinghouse in 1875.
Life at this altitude was
extraordinarily harsh. In 1884, a 23-day blizzard dumped 25 feet (7.6 m)
of snow, forcing residents to dig tunnels between buildings to move
about. Every fall, most inhabitants migrated downslope to milder
Silverton, leaving the town nearly deserted in winter.
Challenges, Fires, and Initial Decline (1886–1903)
Mining here was
always speculative and high-risk. The Dakota and San Juan Mining
Company’s large mill (built 1876) operated intermittently with limited
success. Projects like the Mineral Point (Bonanza) Tunnel, started in
1877, provided employment but were costly.
The town began to wane in
the mid-1880s as investments dried up. Businesses closed one by one, and
the post office shut temporarily in 1889 (reopening briefly when the
Sunnyside Extension shipped ore). A devastating fire on October 22,
1891—started in the Kalamazoo House kitchen—destroyed the hotel and 14
other buildings, causing about $20,000 in damage and accelerating the
decline. The Silver Panic of 1893 (a nationwide crash in silver prices)
dealt another blow.
By the late 1890s, Animas Forks was a shadow of
its former self, though some gold mining continued sporadically.
Brief Revival and Final Abandonment (1904–1920s)
A modest resurgence
came in the early 1900s. The Silverton Northern Railroad extended tracks
toward the area (reaching Animas Forks around 1904), and the Gold Prince
Mines Company acquired claims, restarted tunnel work, and built the
massive Gold Prince Mill in 1904–1905 on the eastern edge of town. At
the time, it was one of the largest and most modern mills in the state.
New houses went up, saloons reopened (four by mid-1905), and the
population briefly climbed again (about 90 residents recorded in 1910,
including immigrant families from Italy, Austria, Sweden, and Finland).
The revival was short-lived. The mill operated steadily for only a
couple of years before facing bankruptcy in 1907 and closing permanently
in 1910. A second major fire on September 3, 1913, destroyed four large
buildings. The nearby Frisco-Bagley Mill and Tunnel complex (associated
with later operations) closed in 1914, the post office shut its doors on
November 30, 1915, and in 1917 most of the Gold Prince Mill’s equipment
was dismantled and relocated to Eureka. The railroad never lived up to
expectations.
By the early 1920s, Animas Forks was effectively a
ghost town. A few miners and one or two holdouts (possibly including
Harry Little) lingered into the 1920s–1930s, and one residence was
occupied as late as the 1940s–1960s, but commercial mining had ended.
Preservation and Legacy (1920s–Present)
After decades of neglect,
preservation began in earnest in the 1970s with initial stabilization.
Major work in the late 1990s, funded by the Colorado State Historical
Fund, shored up structures. In 2011, a land swap gave the BLM full
ownership of the townsite. It was listed on the National Register of
Historic Places shortly thereafter. A significant two-phase restoration
project (2013–2014), backed by nearly $330,000 in grants and led by
local groups like the all-volunteer San Juan County Historical Society
and Silverton Restoration Consulting, repaired the Duncan House (fully
restored with new windows, doors, cedar shingles, and drainage), the
jail, and several other buildings. Interpretive signage, paths, and
shatterproof windows were added to balance protection with public
access.
Today, the site features original elements like linen
wallpaper in the 1906 Gustavson House (the town’s first with an indoor
outhouse) and artifacts from its mining heyday. It stands as a testament
to the boom-and-bust cycle of hard-rock silver and gold mining in the
San Juans, the grit of high-altitude pioneers, and successful
community-driven historic preservation.
Location and Coordinates
It lies approximately 12 miles (19 km)
northeast of Silverton at coordinates 37°55′52″N 107°34′17″W (or roughly
37.931°N, 107.571°W). The site occupies a high mountain valley in the
upper Animas River drainage, at the strategic confluence of the river’s
forks (primarily the North and West Forks, with references to three
branches converging).
This positions it in a classic alpine setting
within the San Juan Volcanic Field, one of Colorado’s most dramatic and
mineral-rich mountain ranges.
Topography and Elevation
Animas
Forks sits at an elevation of 11,185–11,200 feet (3,409–3,400 m) above
sea level—more than two miles high. In the immediate mapped area,
elevations range from a low of about 10,768 ft to highs of 13,711 ft,
with an average around 11,929 ft. This creates extreme vertical relief:
steep, rocky slopes, talus fields, and dramatic cirque-like basins
carved by ancient glaciers.
The terrain is quintessential high-alpine
Colorado—rugged, glaciated valleys flanked by 13,000- to 14,000-foot
peaks (including nearby Animas Forks Mountain at ~13,722–13,740 ft). The
town occupies a relatively flat meadow/valley floor along the river,
transitioning from subalpine spruce-fir forests on the lower slopes to
open alpine tundra and wildflower meadows higher up.
The surrounding
landscape features sharp ridges, high passes (e.g., Cinnamon Pass at
~12,620 ft and Engineer Pass), and numerous gulches (like California
Gulch) that were central to historic mining.
Hydrology
Animas
Forks is defined by water: it formed precisely at the confluence of the
forks of the Animas River, a major south-flowing tributary of the San
Juan River system. This headwaters location places it in the upper
Animas River watershed, where snowmelt from surrounding peaks feeds
clear, cold streams that merge into the main Animas channel.
The
river here is fast-moving and seasonal, with high spring runoff from
alpine snowpack. Downstream, it flows through Silverton, Durango, and
into New Mexico. The area’s hydrology is influenced by the steep
topography, leading to flash-flood potential in summer thunderstorms and
heavy winter snow accumulation (historically up to 25 feet in extreme
blizzards, such as the 23-day 1884 event).
Geology
The San
Juan Mountains around Animas Forks are part of the San Juan Volcanic
Field, featuring extensive Tertiary (about 40–25 million years old)
volcanic rocks, caldera remnants, and intrusions overlying older
Precambrian basement and Paleozoic/Mesozoic sedimentary layers. This
volcanic history created rich mineral veins (silver, gold, lead) that
drove the town’s brief boom, while Pleistocene glaciation sculpted the
U-shaped valleys, cirques, and moraines visible today. The bedrock is
heavily faulted and mineralized, with surficial deposits including
talus, colluvium, and alluvial fans along the river.
Climate and
Ecology
At this elevation, Animas Forks experiences a true alpine
climate (Köppen ET): short, cool summers (often with afternoon
thunderstorms) and long, brutally cold, snowy winters. Average annual
snowfall is extreme, and temperatures can drop well below zero for
months. Early residents abandoned the town each fall for lower-elevation
Silverton due to the harsh conditions.
Vegetation shifts with
elevation: dense Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir forests cloak the
valley floors and lower slopes, giving way to krummholz, tundra grasses,
sedges, and spectacular summer wildflower displays (e.g., columbine,
paintbrush) in the meadows. Wildlife includes marmots, pikas, bighorn
sheep, and raptors adapted to the high country. The area is part of
federally managed public lands (primarily BLM and U.S. Forest Service),
preserving its wild character.
Access and Broader Context
The
site is reached via the Alpine Loop, a 65-mile unpaved scenic byway
linking Silverton, Ouray, and Lake City. The road from Silverton to
Animas Forks is rocky but often passable by high-clearance
two-wheel-drive vehicles in summer (May–October); routes over Engineer
or Cinnamon Pass require four-wheel drive. It remains a popular
destination for 4WD enthusiasts, hikers, and history buffs, drawing over
100,000 visitors annually to the loop.
Today, Animas Forks is one of Colorado’s best-preserved ghost towns,
with nine standing buildings and the foundations of roughly 30 others.
Key structures include the William Duncan House (also known as the
Duncan/Walsh House or Bay Window House), the Gustavson Home, and the
jail. The Duncan House, built in 1879, is the most iconic, featuring a
distinctive bay window and picturesque architectural elements unusual
for such a remote location. It was briefly owned by mining magnate
Thomas Walsh, though his daughter Evalyn Walsh McLean, famously
associated with the Hope Diamond, never lived there despite local lore.
The Gustavson Home, constructed around 1906–1907, is notable for its
indoor toilet—a rare luxury connected to an outhouse via a hallway. The
1882 jail, with its 6-inch-thick walls and barred windows, was designed
to deter both escapes and vigilante mobs.
The BLM, in
collaboration with San Juan County and private owners, has worked
diligently to preserve the site. Stabilization efforts in 1997–1998,
funded by a Colorado State Historical Fund grant, repaired roofs,
porches, and windows. A comprehensive restoration from 2013–2014,
overseen by the Mountain Studies Institute, improved drainage, graded
paths, and installed shatterproof polycarbonate windows. The town was
added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011, unlocking
additional funding opportunities. Interpretive brochures and maps,
available at the parking area, guide visitors through the site, though
some buildings remain fragile, and caution is advised.
Animas Forks offers a visceral connection to Colorado’s mining past.
Visitors can wander freely through the remaining buildings, where
peeling wallpaper, 1907 newspapers, and abandoned shelves evoke the
lives of its former inhabitants. The Duncan House’s steep, narrow
staircase and small upstairs rooms hint at the cramped conditions
endured by families. The jail’s sturdy construction reflects the rough
justice of the era. The surrounding landscape—electric-green slopes,
purple wildflowers, and jagged peaks—adds a layer of awe, though the
thin air at 11,200 feet can cause altitude sickness, prompting warnings
to descend if symptoms arise.
The site is accessible from May to
October, with June through September being the most reliable months due
to snowmelt. Summer visitors may encounter a chill, and layering is
recommended. The Alpine Loop’s rugged beauty, with waterfalls, mining
relics, and panoramic vistas, makes the journey as rewarding as the
destination. However, increased tourism (250,000 annual visitors) has
strained the site, with vandalism—such as graffiti and theft of
artifacts—posing ongoing challenges. The BLM and local advocates urge
respect for the historical integrity of the town, and some have
suggested measures like hidden cameras to deter defacement.
Animas Forks embodies the boom-and-bust cycle of the American West’s
mining frontier. Its residents, hailing from places as far-flung as
Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, braved extreme conditions in pursuit of
wealth, only to face avalanches, fires, and economic collapse. The
town’s brief prosperity, fueled by speculative investment rather than
sustained production, reflects the optimism and volatility of the era.
Stories like that of Esther Ekkard, who ran a popular boarding house and
extended credit to miners, or the vigilante pursuit of a debtor to
Silverton, highlight the community’s grit and rough justice.
The
town’s preservation efforts underscore a broader commitment to
safeguarding Colorado’s mining heritage. With over 1,500 ghost towns in
the state, Animas Forks stands out for its accessibility, intact
structures, and dramatic setting. Its inclusion on the National Register
and ongoing restoration work ensure that future generations can grapple
with the same question posed by its weathered buildings: How did anyone
endure such a harsh existence for the slim chance of striking it rich?
Animas Forks is one of Colorado’s best-preserved ghost towns, perched
at about 11,200 feet (3,400 m) in the San Juan Mountains, roughly 12
miles northeast of Silverton. It boomed in the 1870s–1880s as a mining
hub with up to 450 residents, complete with cabins, a hotel, saloon,
post office, stores, and mills supporting nearby silver and gold
operations.
The town earned fame for extreme conditions, including a
1884 blizzard that dumped 25 feet of snow in 23 days, forcing residents
to tunnel between buildings. It declined after the 1893 silver crash,
fires, and mill closures, becoming a ghost town by the 1920s. Today,
about nine historic buildings remain (plus foundations), and it sits on
the scenic Alpine Loop, a 65-mile unpaved byway connecting Silverton,
Ouray, and Lake City.
Getting There and Access
Primary route
from Silverton: Take County Road 2 (unimproved dirt/gravel) for ~12
miles/45–60 minutes. The road to Animas Forks is often passable by
high-clearance 2WD vehicles in good summer conditions, but a
high-clearance 4WD (or rented Jeep/ATV) is strongly recommended for
comfort, rocks, ruts, and potential mud.
From Ouray or Lake City:
Longer routes over high passes (Engineer Pass, etc.) that typically
require 4WD/high-clearance.
Season: Late May/early June to October,
depending on snowpack. Roads close in winter; check conditions via San
Juan County, BLM, or COtrip.org. Early season (June) may have snow; late
season (September–October) offers fall colors but risks early snow.
Vehicle rentals/tours: Rent Jeeps or ATVs in Silverton (e.g.,
Cliffhanger or others). Guided Jeep tours from Silverton or Ouray are
excellent for those without experience or suitable vehicles.
Alternative: Some hike or bike parts, but the drive is the main way. The
route features stunning alpine scenery, old mines, and photo stops.
Pro tip: Download offline maps (e.g., Gaia GPS or onX Offroad) and
check real-time conditions. The road has steep drop-offs in places—drive
cautiously.
What to Expect at the Site
Self-guided
exploration: Free entry. Pick up interpretive brochures/maps at the
parking area (BLM/San Juan County). You can enter most of the remaining
buildings (e.g., the notable William Duncan House with bay windows, a
jail, boarding house, Gustavson House). Structures are fragile—watch
your step on uneven floors, porches, and stairs.
Time needed: 1–2+
hours to wander, read signs, and explore uphill areas and foundations.
Bring a cooler for a picnic; there are no services.
Restrooms: Two
BLM facilities available.
Crowds: Popular spot (hundreds of thousands
visit the Loop annually), especially weekends/midday. Arrive early for
better light, fewer people, and parking.
Best Time to Visit and
Weather
Peak season: July–September for reliable road access,
wildflowers (mid-summer), and milder conditions.
Weather: Highly
variable at 11,200 ft. Mornings can be sunny and cool; afternoons often
bring thunderstorms (common July–August). Temperatures drop quickly;
wind is common. Even in summer, expect 40s–60s°F (or colder with
wind/chill). Snow is possible any month.
Fall: Stunning aspens, fewer
crowds, but shorter days and higher snow risk.
Essential Packing
List and Preparation
Altitude: Acclimate! Spend time in Silverton
(9,300 ft) first. Symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, nausea) are
common for flatlanders—hydrate heavily, ascend gradually, and descend if
severe.
Clothing: Layers (base layer, fleece, waterproof
jacket/shell, gloves, hat). Sturdy hiking boots or closed-toe shoes for
uneven terrain.
Essentials: Plenty of water (at least 2–3
liters/person), high-energy snacks/meals, sunscreen (UV is intense),
hat, sunglasses, rain jacket, headlamp/flashlight, first-aid kit,
multi-tool.
Other: Camera/binoculars, map/brochure, trash bag (pack
out everything), bear spray (wildlife present), and a vehicle repair
kit/spare tire if self-driving.
10 Essentials for backcountry:
Navigation, sun protection, insulation, illumination, first aid, fire,
repair kit, nutrition, hydration, emergency shelter.
Safety Tips
Roads: Slow down—rough, narrow, with drop-offs. No cell service in many
areas; tell someone your plans and expected return.
Weather/lightning: Storms roll in fast—get below treeline or to your
vehicle early afternoon. Avoid exposed ridges.
Site hazards: Unstable
structures, old mine shafts (stay on paths), wildlife, and loose rocks.
Don’t climb or remove artifacts—respect the site for preservation.
Leave No Trace: Pack out trash, stay on trails/roads, don’t litter or
carve names.
Emergencies: Remote area—San Juan County Search & Rescue
or local services. Carry a satellite communicator if venturing far.
Nearby Attractions and Extending Your Trip
Combine with the full
Alpine Loop (full day; high-clearance/4WD required beyond Animas Forks).
Stop at Mayflower Mill near Silverton, other ghost towns/mines, or
continue to Engineer Pass for epic views. Silverton and Ouray offer
dining, lodging, museums, and jeep rentals.