Explore the Chilling History of the Ashcroft Ghost Town near Aspen, Colorado

If there’s one thing Colorado is universally known for (besides mountains and ski resorts, of course), it would be our state’s rich mining history. We have covered several ghost towns in Colorado in different states of preservation; some have almost fully succumbed to the elements, while others, like Ashcroft, appear frozen in time. Located just minutes from the pomp and flashiness of Aspen, Ashcroft is one of the more well-known abandoned Colorado towns. This eerie community with a mining history feels like it is frozen in time.

What was once a booming mountain town in Colorado is now a living history museum with scenic walking trails and old buildings. At first glance, Ashcroft looks like a scene from a postcard, a quaint town surrounded by lush greenery and towering, snowcapped mountain peaks. If you take a deeper dive into its history, however, you’ll soon discover that looks can be deceiving. As you embark on a leisurely stroll through this fascinating piece of the Centennial State’s past, know that you may not be alone on the trails.

The 1880s marked the height of the gold and silver boom in Colorado when hopeful prospectors from far and wide flocked to the state in hopes of striking it big. Before that, the land was home to the Ute Indians, who were forced out of the area. 

Much to the miners’ dismay, their victory was short-lived. The silver ran out just five years after the town was established, and all the settlers left as quickly as they came. By 1912, only 50 residents still lived in Ashcroft, down from 2,000 during its heyday. Efforts were made to transform the town into a skiing destination; however, it never came to be. The U.S. Army briefly used the area for mountaineering training after World War II, but aside from that, Ashcroft has sat abandoned for over a century.

Today, Ashcroft Ghost Town is a historic site managed by the U.S. Forest Service. It consists of about a dozen buildings, some in better shape than others, ranging from saloons to a two-story hotel. One of the saloons has been transformed into a museum that’s open during the summer months, and visitors can climb the stairs in the hotel and enjoy sweeping views of the Castle Creek Valley.

It’s quite eerie to walk through the town and imagine the now-empty streets and buildings full of activity. The saloons where miners once quenched their thirst after a hard day’s work are so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and the structures are dilapidated to the point that you can see the insulation behind the rotting wood and peeling paint.

And then, there are the ghost stories. It’s said that many of the miners in Ashcroft were inexperienced and came to the town hoping for a “get rich quick” scenario that never panned out. As such, many people believe deadly mining accidents were commonplace, and that the restless spirits of the deceased miners haunt the village to this day. Visitors have reported strange occurrences such as walking through cold spots, seeing objects fall on their own, and even seeing full-blown apparitions. But if you ask me, even if you don’t have a paranormal experience, this eerie Colorado ghost town is worth visiting for the rich history alone.

Visit the Ashcroft Historical Society for more information about exploring one of the most fascinating abandoned places in Colorado. There is a small fee to enter the town, but I think it's worth the experience of stepping back in time into a place from an era long ago. Children under 18 are free but must be accompanied by an adult. In my opinion, the best time to visit Ashcroft is autumn, when the landscapes come alive with vibrant foliage. You can really get some incredible Instagram-worthy pictures here.

Have you ever been to this eerie ghost town? Read on to discover more abandoned places in Colorado to visit.