Skidoo Ghost Town
Explore the hauntingly beautiful ruins of Skidoo, a remote 20th-century mining town nestled in the rugged Panamint Mountains.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Pleasant temperatures for exploring
Skidoo Ghost Town
Best Time
Pleasant temperatures for exploring
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the hauntingly beautiful ruins of Skidoo, a remote 20th-century mining town nestled in the rugged Panamint Mountains.
"A true ghost town experience for the adventurous, offering a raw glimpse into the past."
⛽ Fuel Up Before You Go
Gas stations are scarce. Fill your tank in Beatty or Lone Pine before heading to Skidoo.
💧 Bring Plenty of Water
The desert is dry! Carry more water than you think you'll need for your visit.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.5 · 70 reviews
Type
Historical Landmark
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Skidoo Mill Ruins
Main townsite
Explore the skeletal remains of the once-thriving Skidoo Mill, a testament to the town's ambitious mining operations.
Historic Miner Cabins
Scattered throughout town
Wander among the weathered cabins where miners once lived, imagining life in this isolated boomtown.
Panoramic Desert Vistas
Soak in the stark beauty of the surrounding desert landscape, offering a sense of isolation and history.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Prepare for a Remote Adventure
Respect the Ruins
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
⛽ Fuel Up Before You Go
Gas stations are scarce. Fill your tank in Beatty or Lone Pine before heading to Skidoo.
💧 Bring Plenty of Water
The desert is dry! Carry more water than you think you'll need for your visit.
🥾 Sturdy Footwear Essential
Uneven terrain and rocky paths require good walking shoes.
📸 Capture the Atmosphere
The ruins and vast landscape offer unique photo opportunities.
Took a trip to Rhyolite, a ghost town 4 miles outside Beatty and about a 2-hour drive north of here, to do some long-exposure nighttime photography. Let me know what you think!
This is awesome. I’ve been wanting to do something like this but it never seems to happen. What time were these taken?
Tips
from all over the internet
⛽ Fuel Up Before You Go
Gas stations are scarce. Fill your tank in Beatty or Lone Pine before heading to Skidoo.
💧 Bring Plenty of Water
The desert is dry! Carry more water than you think you'll need for your visit.
🥾 Sturdy Footwear Essential
Uneven terrain and rocky paths require good walking shoes.
📸 Capture the Atmosphere
The ruins and vast landscape offer unique photo opportunities.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Skidoo Ghost Town is a remote historical site offering a glimpse into a bygone mining era. Visitors appreciate the authentic ruins and the stark desert beauty, though the challenging access and lack of facilities are noted drawbacks. It's a destination for those seeking a true off-the-beaten-path adventure.
"Rhyolite ghost town should honestly rebrand itself to “Rhyolite Ghost Two Buildings and a Couple of Sad Debris Piles”. You pull up expecting at least a hint of that Wild West magic and instead you get a handful of crumbling walls, a couple of structures doing their best impression of standing, and a whole lot of fenced off disappointment. You cannot enter anything. You mostly stare from afar like you are visiting ruins with a restraining order.
There is not much to see. The famous buildings you see in photos look impressive until you realize those photos were taken from the only flattering angle available. In reality you walk around for ten minutes, think “that’s it”, and start checking how long it will take to drive somewhere actually interesting.
It is not awful, but it is barely content. A quick stop at best. A waste of time at worst. The desert around it looks better than the ghost town itself, which tells you everything.
If your plan is to feel haunted, the only ghost here is your fading enthusiasm."
Wade Wilson
"If you like ghost towns and you're in the area, Ryolite should be pinged on your map app. Lots of ruins, some intact structures, open vistas, decent displays. Plus, the bottle house, cemetery (meh) and art 'museum' nearby. I imagine weekends are busy."
Evan Huntzinger
"I love old mining towns and this one did not disappoint me. The buildings and artifacts were amazing and the history of the place was documented with plaques for many of the buildings. Additionally, the glass bottle house was quite interesting."
Lianne
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Skidoo Ghost Town is located in the Panamint Range, west of Death Valley National Park. Access is typically via unpaved roads, often requiring a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. From Death Valley, you might take Emigrant Canyon Road or similar routes. Always check current road conditions before you go, as they can change rapidly.
Generally, no. The roads leading to Skidoo are rough and unmaintained, making them unsuitable for standard passenger vehicles. A 4WD vehicle with good ground clearance is highly recommended.
The driving distance varies greatly depending on your starting point. From Furnace Creek in Death Valley, it can be a significant drive, often several hours, due to the challenging road conditions. Plan for a full day trip.
Signage can be minimal and may be weathered. It's best to rely on GPS with downloaded offline maps and be aware of your surroundings.
Yes, winter can be a good time to visit due to milder temperatures. However, be aware of potential snow or ice on higher elevation roads, though this is less common in the immediate Skidoo area. Always check road conditions.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Skidoo Ghost Town is an open, unprotected historical site. There are no entrance fees or tickets required to visit.
As an outdoor historical site, Skidoo is accessible at any time. However, it's advisable to visit during daylight hours for safety and better exploration.
There is no admission fee to explore Skidoo Ghost Town. It's a public, albeit remote, historical area.
While official tours are rare due to the remote nature, some private outfitters may offer guided excursions into the Death Valley backcountry that include Skidoo. Independent exploration is more common.
The primary restriction is to respect the site: do not remove artifacts, do not disturb structures, and practice Leave No Trace principles. Be mindful of the fragile desert environment.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can explore the ruins of the Skidoo Mill, various miner cabins, and other remnants of the town's past. The surrounding desert landscape is also a significant part of the experience.
Plan for at least 2-3 hours to explore the main townsite and surrounding areas. If combining with other remote sites, allocate a full day.
Exercise caution due to uneven terrain and potential hazards from old structures. Always be aware of your surroundings, carry essentials, and let someone know your plans.
No, there are no facilities at Skidoo Ghost Town. You must come prepared with all your own supplies, including water and waste bags.
Dispersed camping may be possible in the surrounding BLM land, but check local regulations. There are no designated campgrounds at Skidoo itself.
📸 📸 Photography
The decaying mill structures, weathered cabins, and the vast, rugged desert scenery offer excellent photographic subjects. The sense of isolation is also a key element to capture.
Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light for photography, with softer shadows and warmer tones. Midday sun can be harsh.
For personal photography, no permit is generally required. If you plan a commercial shoot, you may need to contact the relevant land management agency.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive landscapes and ruins. A telephoto lens can be useful for details. Consider a sturdy tripod for low-light conditions.
The main restriction is to photograph responsibly, respecting the historical integrity of the site and the natural environment. Avoid disturbing anything for a shot.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit