Have you heard of the ghost town of St. Elmo? Well, me neither until I was staying nearby and found it in a quick Google search. While staged haunted houses, elaborate costumes, and overdone gore are great when it comes to getting some thrills and chills, if you prefer something a bit more — let’s say, classic — you are going to want to visit this one of the best ghost towns in CO.

Located southwest of Buena Vista in Chaffee County lies the small ghost town of St. Elmo; a historic mining town that at one time housed a population of 2,000.
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During its heyday, St. Elmo, CO was a bustling area and boasted not only 150 different mines (one of which recovered $60,000,000 worth of gold during its operation), but also schools, saloons, and stores.
History Colorado/99.270.2497
Sadly, like most of Colorado's mining towns, once the gold dried up, people began to leave, leading to both the abandonment of the railroad (1925) and closure of the post office (1952). Luckily, there are some really great historic St. Elmo photos out there.
History Colorado/99.270.2661
This is one of the best ghost towns in CO for many reasons, but namely because it it so well preserved. Despite it being deemed a ghost town, most of the original buildings are still intact, including the old Texaco gas station.
Wikimedia Commons
The Miner's Exchange General Store re-opens every summer for visiting tourists, too!
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There is also a post office, one-room schoolhouse, and several homes within the ghost town of St. Elmo.
Flickr/Michele ONeill

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Like most ghost towns, St. Elmo, CO comes with its fair share of legends and alleged haunts, so make sure to keep your eyes and ears peeled for former residents. One such resident is the infamous Annabelle, a native to St. Elmo who was known to be eccentric and at one time was committed for carrying a rifle around the old town.
Flickr/Jeff Amann
As an 80s movies lover, I got a real kick out of this building.
Rachel Raimondi/Only in Your State
Did I get the song stuck in your head? Whoops.
Some of the buildings are actually occupied by people.
Rachel Raimondi/Only in Your State
And humans aren't the only residents roaming the streets!
Rachel Raimondi/Only in Your State
Consider heading here yourself and taking your own St. Elmo photos. As per Legends of America, "to get to St. Elmo, from Buena Vista, take US 285 south to Nathrop, and then County Road 162 west for approximately 16 miles to St. Elmo."
Wikimedia Commons
Whether you believe it's haunted or not, one thing is for sure: St. Elmo is a gorgeous town to explore.
Rachel Raimondi/Only in Your State

Have you ever been to the ghost town of St. Elmo, CO? What are some of your favorite St. Elmo photos? Tell us about your experiences in the comments below!

If you have the time, consider booking a hotel nearby so that you can explore the area more. See what Hotels.com has for accommodations around here.

For more amazing Colorado ghost towns, take this haunted Colorado ghost towns road trip.

This Haunting Road Trip Through Colorado Ghost Towns Is One You Won’t Forget

 

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More to Explore

Colorado Explorations

Rachel Raimondi | March 26, 2024

 Where are the creepiest towns in Colorado?

The ghost town of St. Elmo is just one of many creepy towns in Colorado:

Climax: Located in Lake County, back in in the early part of the 1900s, at over 11,000 feet, it was the highest settlement in the US. But with the mine closing in 1995, the population soon dwindled. The mine did reopen in 2012, but that is all that is there now.

Independence: This town in Pitkin County was incorporated in 1879. In its heyday, it was a thriving mining town and home to more than 1,500 residents. But like many towns in this area, due to some severe weather, the population moved out.

What are the most unique towns in Colorado?

Ghost towns in CO sure are cool to explore, but that is not all. Check out some of the most unique towns in Colorado:

Silverton: Located in San Juan County, this town is known for gorgeous mountain scenery as well as some great skiing at Silverton Mountain. You can also take the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad here, which is a fantastic way to see the sights.

Golden: This city is located just outside of Denver. Be sure to visit the Colorado Railroad Museum, the Coors Brewery, and the Mother Cabrini Shrine.

What are the most beautiful places in Colorado?

 If you’ve got some time to explore the state, there are many beautiful places in Colorado:

Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Located in Morrison, this music venue is unlike any other you’ve ever been to (or at least I’ve ever been to). See your favorite act among the gorgeous red rocks of Colorado, which is fully outdoors.

Rocky Mountain National Park: One of four national parks in the state, this 265,807-acre park is located in northern Colorado. There are 350 miles of hiking and tons of roads made for a gorgeous scenic drives. And be sure to explore the park’s surroundings in the lovely town of Estes.

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Saint Elmo, St Elmo, CO 81236, USA