9 Haunting Abandoned Places That Are Still Open to Explorers

There’s something hauntingly beautiful about places time forgot — where nature creeps in, paint peels, and silence echoes. These abandoned spots across the U.S. are equal parts eerie and amazing. And the best part? You can actually go explore them.

Here are 9 abandoned places you can still visit — if you dare.

1. 🏜️ Rhyolite, Nevada

A true ghost town near Death Valley, Rhyolite was booming in the early 1900s… then totally emptied out. What’s left? Crumbling buildings, a spooky bottle house, and wild desert silence.
✨ Don’t miss: The abandoned bank building and the weirdly wonderful outdoor art installations nearby.

2. 🛤️ The Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike – Breezewood, PA

This stretch of highway was bypassed in the ’60s, leaving behind tunnels and roads slowly reclaimed by the forest — and graffiti artists.
✨ Don’t miss: Bring a flashlight and explore the dark, echoing tunnels on foot or by bike.

3. 🧱 Eastern State Penitentiary – Philadelphia, PA

This former prison was once the most famous (and expensive) in the world. Now, it’s a decaying, Gothic maze of cellblocks and ghost stories.
✨ Don’t miss: The self-guided audio tour voiced by Steve Buscemi, and the annual haunted attraction in October.

4. 🪨 Bombay Beach – Salton Sea, California

Once a lively vacation spot, Bombay Beach is now a surreal, decaying mix of trailers, sculptures, and salty ruins on a dying lake.
✨ Don’t miss: The art installations scattered along the beach — it’s post-apocalyptic and poetic.

5. 🚂 Garnet, Montana

This well-preserved ghost town in the Rockies offers a real peek into gold rush life, minus the crowds.
✨ Don’t miss: The general store, cabins, and eerie quiet — especially in the winter when it’s only accessible by ski or snowmobile.

6. 🎢 Six Flags – New Orleans, Louisiana

This theme park was abandoned after Hurricane Katrina and left to rot — a rusting, overgrown, post-apocalyptic playground.
✨ Don’t miss: It’s technically closed to the public, but many urban explorers still sneak in (⚠️ not legally advised!). There are talks of redevelopment — visit while you can (legally!).

7. 🌁 Fort Jefferson – Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Accessible only by boat or seaplane, this massive 19th-century coastal fortress in the middle of the ocean feels totally lost in time.
✨ Don’t miss: The view from the top walls, surrounded by clear turquoise waters — it’s spooky and stunning.

8. 🏭 Packard Automotive Plant – Detroit, Michigan

This once-mighty symbol of American industry now stands as one of the largest abandoned industrial sites in the country.
✨ Don’t miss: Drive by for surreal photos — the scale and decay are wild. Guided tours may be available occasionally.

9. 🔥 Centralia, Pennsylvania

An underground coal fire has been burning beneath this town since 1962, forcing residents to flee. Now, only a few homes remain — and cracked roads vent eerie steam.
✨ Don’t miss: The Graffiti Highway (if still accessible) and signs warning about the hidden fire zones.

🕰️ Time Travel, But Creepier

These spots are more than just photo ops — they’re history, mystery, and nature taking over. If you’re into the strange, the spooky, or just the stories behind forgotten places, these destinations deliver.

Just bring your camera… and maybe a friend.