Ghost Town
Imperial County, CA
Approximate location — plotted from published sources, not a site visit, and not a guarantee of access.
Colorado River gold camp turned remote California State Recreation Area on the Imperial–Arizona border. Late-1800s placer and hard-rock mining built a riverside town of several hundred; today the park preserves the townsite setting with camping, river access, desert hills, and CA Historical Landmark #193 interpretation amid one of the state’s least-visited parks.
| Region | Imperial County, CA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates (approx.) | 33.0231, -114.6099 |
| ARPA | Artifacts & structures are protected by federal law (ARPA) — take only photos, leave every relic in place. |
| Era | 1860s–early 1900s mining; SRA today |
| Landmark | CA Historical Landmark #193 |
| Access | 24 mi mostly unpaved from Winterhaven (high-clearance recommended) |
| Setting | Lower Colorado River / Sonoran desert |
Public recreation data — BLM & Recreation.gov (RIDB). Verify current access, fees, and seasonal closures before traveling.
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Plan ahead. Leave no trace. Verify current access before traveling.