Abandoned Villages You Can Actually Stay in Overnight

10. Kennecott, Alaska, USA

Nestled deep in the wilderness of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Kennecott is a rust-red relic of America’s industrial past. This early 20th-century copper mining camp was abandoned in the 1930s and has since become one of Alaska’s most iconic ghost towns. With its towering mill buildings, collapsing bunkhouses, and glacier-carved backdrop, it feels like a frontier outpost frozen in time. The surrounding national park offers several designated campgrounds and wild backcountry spots for the adventurous. During summer, the sun barely dips below the horizon, casting long, golden hours ideal for night photography and twilight stargazing. You may not get a pitch-black sky, but what you will get is silence, solitude, and staggering natural beauty in every direction. Pro Tip: The road to Kennecott is long and unpaved—rent a high-clearance vehicle or take the park shuttle. Bring bug spray, layers, and backup power; cell signal is almost nonexistent.