When someone mentions ghost towns, your mind might conjure up images of dusty saloons and rolling tumbleweeds, However, you don't have to travel out west to explore an abandoned town. West Virginia is home to a deserted mining town that is hauntingly beautiful — especially during the fall. Consider taking a ghost town day trip this autumn to the village of Kaymoor.
Kaymoor was a coal camp that operated from 1899 to 1962 near Fayetteville. The lower portion of the ghost town (Kaymoor Bottom) is located in the New River Gorge.
Getting there is no easy feat. You'll have to descend deep to the bottom of the gorge to explore the ruins of Kaymoor Bottom.
This requires taking a very, very, long staircase. You'll have to descend 821 steps. (And don't forget, if you go down, you'll have to climb back up.)
Because the land is owned by the National Park Service, you'll find informational signs detailing the history of this abandoned town.
Check out the old mine entrances and deserted equipment that are slowly being reclaimed by nature after decades of not being used.
You'll still find portions of buildings intact but observe from a distance as they are not stable after all these years of neglect.
As the sun filters through the trees onto the ruins, you'll be amazed at what remains of this lost town.
The Kaymoor Miners Trail is a 1.6-mile hike out and back including the steep stairs. There are other short side trails you can explore if you wish to extend your stay.
Are you up for an autumn adventure into a ghost town?
Learn more about the Kaymoor Miners Trail by visiting the National Park Service website.Address: Kaymoor Road, Fayetteville, WV 25850
If you like checking out the remnants of West Virginia's past, check out this short hike that takes you to the Mountain State's abandoned wine cellar.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
