Hike-in Required
No
Open Year-round
Yes
ADA accessible
Yes
Guided tours
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The nicely-preserved ghost town structures of Alta are encountered on the Alta Lakes Road just about a mile below the Alta Lakes Recreation Area near Telluride. There are several buildings in varying stages of decay from the old town that was active from 1877 to 1948. Nikola Tesa and George Westinghouse worked at this site in conjuction with the Ames power plant, which was the first commercial use of AC hydroelectric power. The ride up the Alta Lakes Road, which passes through the ghost town, makes a good mountain bike ride.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

None

Pros

Easy access. Several structures. Interesting history.

Cons

None.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Features

ADA accessible
Family friendly
Historically significant

Location

Nearby Adventures

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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