Idaho’s vibrant past has no shortage of historic places – schools, prisons, hospitals, churches, and even entire towns. While many reminders of Idaho's recent and distant past offer tours to curious visitors, others have been left to the elements, falling victim to time, financial instability, and Mother Nature. Fortunately, others have been brought back to life as living museums. Nevertheless, these aging spots are still spectacular in their decay! Take a walk on the wild side and check out some of the most abandoned places in Idaho - if you dare.

1. Pioneer/Boot Hill Cemetery

With over 3,000 graves housed here, and very few resting here who died of natural causes, it's safe to say that Pioneer/Boot Hill is rife with legends and ghost stories. Many of the individuals buried in Idaho City are unidentified - a result of the constant turnover of the mining town in its prime. Today, only 300 or so inscriptions are still readable.

2. Old Idaho Penitentiary, Boise

The first stop on our road trip to Idaho's abandoned places is the Old Idaho State Penitentiary, sometimes referred to as the Old Pen. Built by the inmates who were housed within its sandstone cells, the Idaho Penitentiary has seen thousands of prisoners and thousands more curious visitors pass through its grounds. At night, the grounds are rumored to come alive with paranormal activity. Whether by a day spent exploring the peeling paint, crumbling walls, and rusted prison chambers or a spooky evening at one of the prison's regular events, this is a historic tour that you won't soon forget.

3. Silver City

A mere century ago, the lure of gold, precious ore, and the hope of a new life brought thousands of people to the Gem State, but after the dust had settled, Idaho’s mining towns went from thriving communities to hollow remnants. Silver City is an often overlooked but treasured part of Idaho’s "Wild West" that lies in beautiful, aging disrepair in Southwest Idaho. Formerly a busy mining hub, the silver crash at the turn of the 20th century sent this bustling city into a rapid downward spiral, but that doesn't keep the town from trying to rebuild.

4. Old American Falls

Now underwater, the original townsite of American Falls was a thriving, active hub located on the west bank of the Snake River. During what was easily the largest government relocation of its time, the town was moved in its entirety to avoid flooding by the nearby dam. American Falls is still alive and well today, but you'll still find a few remnants of the old location dotting the area.

5. Albion State Normal School, Albion

Editor's Note: This once-abandoned school has found new life! Keep an eye out for special spooky events around Halloween season, if that's your thing.

The Albion State Normal School was once a vibrant educational institution for teachers that now stands abandoned, falling victim to time. Empty hallways filled with debris, shattered windows, and eerie auditoriums still lined with the decrepit remains of wooden seats all pulse with an inexplicable presence - whether paranormal or simply teeming with the memories of the past, there are multiple buildings on campus that all echo with unearthly sensations.

6. Wild Waters

Editor's note: This abandoned water park has been demolished.

What was once a vibrant, thrilling family destination in Northern Idaho came to an abrupt end over a decade ago as competition took over. Wild Waters in Coeur d’Alene was originally the Northwest’s largest water park – a behemoth attraction that dominated the summer market for years. In 2010, the park didn’t reopen at all, and very little remains of its former glory. Brackish water, rusting gates, and fading signs all sit corroding in Idaho's turbulent weather, waiting for someone to restore or demolish them.

7. Roseberry

This unique small town just outside of Donnelly is a ghost town at its core, but lives on as a historic reminder of Idaho's western days. Barn weddings, reenactments, and filmings are welcome here with permission, but the real draw is that one can simply walk through the recreated town (it's only a few blocks!) and see the remarkable historic textures and features of centuries long ago.

Idaho has some incredible abandoned places that still stand today as reminders of our history, many of which are hiding in quiet corners of our massive state  - these are just a few! Rest assured this road trip is nowhere near complete. There's always more to discover!

Please keep in mind that not all of these locations are open to the public at all hours. Respect local rules and ordinances and adventure at your own risk.