Idaho Ghost Towns You Need To See

BOISE, ID — Mariska Lee has the life many of us dream of. She left her life as an attorney, placed her belongings in a van and travels the country enjoying new adventures as the Van Life Wanderer.

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Lee also allows her followers to enjoy and explore with her on her website, vanlifewanderer.com. On a recent trip to Idaho in 2020, Lee compiled a listing of ghost towns visited in the state. In addition to the information supplied by Lee, I am also pleased to offer my own views of the towns I have visited in the past.

1. Bayhorse

Like most ghost towns in Idaho, miners and the supply of gold translated to a short life for the town. Founded in 1877, the town was all but gone by the 1920s. Bayhorse is known as one of the most preserved towns and visitors can still visit the saloon, cemetery, cabins and charcoal kilns.

This ghost town can be found by following Route 75 to the eastern edge of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. After passing by Bald Mountain, drive down Bayhorse Creek Road where it will quickly come into view.

Personally, I have never visited Bayhorse though friends say plan for a full day as there is much to see here.

2. Bonanza and Custer

Bonanza and Custer are actually two towns built close to each other in 1878. By the early 1900s, the miners moved on to better places and the towns became deserted. In addition to the towns to explore, visit the Yankee Fork Dredge. Restored by volunteers and manned by volunteers during the summer season, the dredge sits in a pond and can be toured.

The Bonanza and Custer Ghost Town is situated on the western edge of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. To reach it, you’ll need to travel down Route 75 until you reach the small town of Sunbeam. When here, turn onto Yankee Fork Road and drive down it for about 20 minutes. You’ll soon see the ghost town on your left.

This is a great trip if you leave Boise early in the morning. After reaching Stanley, drive along the Salmon River and before you take the turn to the ghost towns, stop and see the remains on Sunbeam Dam.

3. Silver City

Silver City reached a peak in the 1880s before starting to decline after World War II. The town was one of the first to have a telegraph, newspaper, and electric service.

To reach this ghost town, start in Boise and travel down Interstate 95. Follow this road until you reach Telegraph Hill which lies next to Silver City.

This place is hot during the summer-take plenty of water. Some of the homes have been purchased and are used as vacation homes so be courteous. A visit to the old motel is a must and visitors can rent a room (there are stories of ghosts roaming the hallways). A visit to the church is also recommended, but many times it is closed.

4. Wickahoney

While it’s mainly in ruins, the Wickahoney Post Office and Stage Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The structure has slightly crumbled, but you can still see part of its lava rock walls.

This ghost town is about two hours away from Twin Falls. You can drive Route 51 until you reach Battle Creek Road. You’ll need to travel down this dirt road for about half-an-hour until the ghost town becomes visible.

I need to get out more. After living in and around Idaho all my life, this article was the first I ever heard of Wickahoney.

5. Rocky Bar

Rocky Bar is an easy trip for the family day trip as the town sits just 30 minutes from Featherville. Founded in 1863, Rocky Bar was once in the running to be the territory's capital. At one time, 2,500 people lived in Rocky Bar, but a fire in the 1890s destroyed much of the town.

To find Rocky Bar, travel to Featherville. When here, find North Pine Featherville Road. Drive straight down this street for about 30 minutes and you’ll soon see the ghost town.

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