You’ll Feel Like You Stepped Back In Time When Visiting This New Mexico Ghost Town
Feel like going on an adventure this weekend? There are plenty of unique places to choose from here in New Mexico but if you’re looking for a place that will feel like you just stepped back into a different era, then you’ll want to check out this little town in the southern portion of the state.
Chloride, New Mexico is a tiny ghost town located just beyond Gila National Forest and an hour's drive from Truth or Consequences. If you don't travel this area often, you might not even know the town exists!
The area was first settled in 1879 and, within a few short years, experienced a population boom as mining operations opened up along the nearby creeks. It received its post office in 1881 and experienced some boom and bust periods until it closed in 1956 when the town was finally abandoned.
These buildings have been lovingly restored - something we wish would happen in more ghost towns around the state - and a walk through the area will take you back more than a century as you explore how others lived during New Mexico's frontier days.
One of our favorite spots is the Pioneer Store Museum, which dates to 1880. The museum today looks similar to how it did when it was first erected thanks to restoration efforts.
If you wander from the center of town, you'll also come across Chloride and Mineral Creeks. The area is filled with cottonwood and pine trees, looking absolutely lush.
Chloride is located 172 miles south of Albuquerque via Interstate 25 and directions can be found at this link. You can find details about visiting the former ghost town by checking out the Sierra County Recreation and Tourism website.
Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
