Table of Contents
Curious what mysteries lie in the wastelands of the Arizona desert? Ready to visit some relics of the past for the adventure of it all? You’re in luck! We happen to know some of the coolest abandoned places to visit in Arizona. Keep your eyes peeled for these locales!
Santa Claus, AZ
An entire ghost town (for sale?!) in Mohave county where the Big Man himself received visiting children in the ’70s, showcased Santa’s early appeal for tourism. Get lost in the sun-stained, graffiti-ridden walls of this deserted 4 acres dedicated to the North Pole.
The Domes
8109-7467 S Thornton Rd, Casa Grande, AZ 85193
The Domes in Casa Grande, Arizona were a pet project by a 1980s tech firm, and they were meant for computer manufacturing. Thanks to their abandoned state, they now house drunk teens, the ghost-hunting types, and if the legends are right, a coven.
Swansea, AZ
This mining operation established in 1909 sent ore to Swansea in South Wales and eventually took the same name, soon rapidly declining and collapsing from high production costs.
Wupatki National Monument
25137 N Wupatki Ln, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Wupatki National Monument showcases an abandoned settlement of archeological sites that include a number of stone homes from the Pueblo people that lived there for centuries!
Phoenix Trotting Park
17758 W Roosevelt St, Goodyear, AZ 85338
This horse track lasted for only two seasons before permanent abandonment. There were a number of daunting reasons for closing, like high operational expenses and flood hazards. Therefore, you won’t be surprised by its current spooky state. This abandoned place in Arizona has been standing in the wilderness all this time at nature’s mercy!
Tumacácori National Historical Park
1891 I-19 Frontage Rd, Tumacacori, AZ 85640
European missionaries founded this settlement in 1691 to communicate with local indigenous people. Since then, it has been a hub for collaboration and conflict throughout the centuries. Today, the remnants of this abandoned place in Arizona have transitioned into a national park, allowing its visitors to walk back in time and experience a fraction of the history.
Gold King Mansion
Mohave County, AZ 86413
Gold King Mine announced its intent to mine for gold in the Hualapai Mountains just months before Black Tuesday. Only a few years later, its concrete bunkhouses became an opulent place to schmooze investors. The state later declared it idle in ’57, and it has thus been one of AZ adventurers’ favorites to explore.
Vulture City Ghost Town
36610 355th Ave, Wickenburg, AZ 85390
Unlike most ghost towns, Vulture City was a success story. The prosperity lasted in this town until its shutdown during World War II, which halted most mining efforts in Arizona. As the most productive gold mine in Arizona history, this abandoned place lays dormant as a reminder of the Gold Rush era.
