Idaho is no stranger to haunted places, spooky legends, and fascinating ghost towns. In fact, we have created road trips that take you to many haunted and creepy destinations in the Gem State. But there is one well-known ghost town in Idaho that is more than just an abandoned town — it is also one of the eeriest places in Idaho … or even America! With an interesting history, abandoned buildings, and proximity to other creepy abandoned towns, Custer, Idaho is more than just a reminder of days gone by. Read on as we tell you all about it.
Welcome to Custer! This is one of the more well-known ghost towns in Idaho. You’ll find this abandoned town in the Salmon-Challis National Forest.
Custer is actually part of the Land of Yankee Fork State Park, near the small town of Challis.
Custer began as a mining town in the late 1870s. It was founded by gold speculators, and many people who lived in the town worked out of the Lucky Boy and Black Mines.
This mining town hit its peak in 1896, and approximately 600 people called this town home. However, in just over a decade, the town's population began to dwindle. It became a ghost town by 1910.
In 1981, the entire town was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is now a part of Yankee Fork State Park.
Today as you explore, you’ll find an incredible number of abandoned structures that are still standing. Because this ghost town is part of a state park, many of the structures are well preserved, giving you a better glimpse into years gone by.
You can check out multiple cabins, a saloon, and even a schoolhouse ...
... you will even see old mining equipment tucked away in the trees and along the paths.
Many people claim this is the spookiest and creepiest state park in Idaho. Not only is Custer found within its borders, but two other ghost towns are here as well – Bonanza and Bayhorse.
While there are all types of stories about Custer and the other nearby ghost towns, as you walk around this state park, we recommend you keep your eyes open! While there is no single spirit that tends to roam this town, you never know what unexplained things you may see, hear, or feel during your visit!
Whew! What a fascinating story, to say the least! It really is a big part of Custer, Idaho history, in addition to that of the rest of the state. So we hope that you really enjoyed it!
Have you been to the abandoned town of Custer? What about the other Idaho ghost towns? Are you aware of any other abandoned places in Idaho? Let us know in the comments! And, if you want to learn more about a really cool State Park, check out our feature article, Home To Three Different Ghost Towns, You'll Need An Entire Day To Explore This Idaho State Park.
If you’d like to explore some really great hikes in and around the area, you can find information and photos about trails to embark upon by going to the AllTrails website.
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