28 Ghost Towns That Have Transformed Into Tourist Hotspots
22. Ballarat, California: A True Old West Time Capsule
Tucked away near Death Valley, Ballarat was once a raucous mining camp in the late 1800s, complete with saloons and outlaws. By the mid-20th century, it had dwindled to near nothing—until a few modern-day pioneers breathed life back into it. Today, Ballarat is still sparsely populated, but it offers a rugged and authentic ghost town experience. There's a small general store, a scattering of vintage vehicles, and tales of the infamous Charles Manson gang who once passed through. Visitors come for the grit, solitude, and stories etched into the desert wind.
