Step Inside The Creepy, Abandoned Town Of Thistle In Utah

The little town of Thistle, Utah was once an important stop along the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. As many as 650 residents lived here, and the town had a school, saloon, and several restaurants. The train depot serviced the steam engines as they came through the canyon. After the railroad changed from steam locomotive to diesel, trains no longer stopped in Thistle and the town slowly decreased in population until just 22 homes were occupied. Many of the residents who stayed had lived there for decades, and they loved their little town. But after a spring of heavy rain in Utah in 1983, a landslide blocked the Spanish Fork River, causing a massive flood that took out the rail line and completely wiped out Thistle. Now, some consider it to be the creepiest abandoned town in Utah. Take a look...

On April 17th, people had only a few hours to evacuate and were forced to leave behind most of their possessions. Luckily, everyone was evacuated in time and no one died.

However, the lives of Thistle’s residents were altered forever – their homes were destroyed and they could never return.

Now all that’s left of the town is a few submerged houses and some crumbling walls and foundations.

The walls of one building that are still standing continue to crumble and the submerged homes are full of brackish, standing water.

Some people stay far away from this abandoned town because it brings back memories of a terrible tragedy and the loss of a tight-knit little community.

Others stay away because of rumors that the remaining buildings (some of which are seen in this historic photograph from 1871) are haunted.

While no one died in the landslide and flood, some older residents who passed away in the years following the tragedy may have returned to the area.

For a unique look at the town, check out this aerial footage by YouTube user, Mark Wilson:

Is Thistle, Utah haunted? Even if you don't believe in ghosts, it's clear that what's left of this decaying town is creepy and haunting. Though no one lives here now, memories of a once-vibrant little town are still alive. So, if you think you hear voices in the wind or the splash of a footstep along the edges of moss-covered ponds, you might be hearing a ghostly spirit ... or your mind might simply be conjuring images of the people who once lived, worked, and loved each other in this little town that's now the creepiest abandoned town in Utah.

Do you think the Thistle ghost town is haunted? What other ghost towns in Utah have you visited? Have you ever explored Thistle, UT? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Ready to explore some more of Utah's ghost towns? Take this epic road trip through the state! And before you leave, make sure to check out our ultimate road trip packing list.