Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Nelson Nevada Ghost Town

    4.2 (58 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

    Nelson Nevada Ghost Town Photos

    More like Nelson Nevada Ghost Town

    Recommended Reviews - Nelson Nevada Ghost Town

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Alien bedrooms
    Aaron A.

    Super cool ghost town just outside Henderson! Be sure to put this on your go to list, this ghost town has been featured in multiple movies, tv shows and music videos. The location does have electricity and bathrooms and you can grab some bottle waters to stay hydrated. Highly recommend the mine tour, pro tip call ahead and make reservations at least 1 day before as the tours do sell out. Be sure to also drive past the ghost town and it will end at the Colorado river providing epic views

    Jamie P.

    Really unique area to explore outside of Vegas. We arrived on a toasty morning in June and luckily were the only people there around 9am. They give mine tours to groups of 4 or more around 9, 12 & 2 if you get there before those times and let them know/purchase your tour. We did not opt for a tour, but we did pay $1 to walk around and see everything ourselves. We enjoyed the little shop, the cool antique items, and all the buildings and curiosities. A great little escape outside of Vegas and on our way to Laughlin. Not to mention, the family that owns it was really nice.

    Sean D.

    Cool spot about 40 minutes or so from Vegas...you can walk around and check out the sights for a $1 charge, good deal, and you can spend a fair amount of time here depending on the interest level...they do offer mine tours which last about 90 minutes and are $20 per person...the day we went they were full so I would call and check if this is your interest in going here...several movies have been filmed here in the past, mostly B grade, but you can definitely see the allure to film here...also a short five minute drive to part of the colorado river on the other side of Hoover dam, really cool to see and the weather levels appeared to be relatively full at this spot....would return in future, especially if the mine tour was our reason for going... RECOMMEND

    Erin M.

    We used an elopement service (elopement Las Vegas) to get married in their chapel and it was PERFECT. Highly recommend! A year later we came back to spend a little more time looking around the gift shop and walking the grounds and enjoying the Mountain Views. This is a fun stop if you enjoy looking at cool old junk. Just be aware they often have weddings going on so you may not be able to access the chapel! Just 10 miles farther down the road is a river look out over the Colorado River to!

    Dwight C.

    Nelson Ghost Town is a fascinating and totally unique experience just outside Las Vegas. I spent hours exploring the property and barely scratched the surface. There are rusted vintage cars, an old gas station, a crashed Navy plane from a movie set, and a general store that feels like stepping into the Old West. I didn't take the mine tour this time, but it's only $20 and sounds like a great reason to come back. This is a perfect spot for photographers, history lovers, or anyone into weird desert finds. Just remember--no cell service, bring water, and show up before sunset for that golden hour magic.

    Mildly interesting, but not worth the drive. I wish I had read the negative reviews beforehand. The entry interaction felt tense, and the staff seemed a bit rude. There's an extra $10 fee just to use a camera, even for personal photos. When we declined the photography fee, we were told we were "taking food off their table," which set an uncomfortable tone for our visit. The signage throughout the property is surprisingly aggressive, with multiple references to "stupid people" and warnings stating unattended children or teenagers would be "shot on sight". This creates a distinctly unwelcoming atmosphere. The experience itself isn't very interactive and doesn't feel much like a town at all. It's primarily old vehicles and displays along the driveway, with only a couple of buildings open. Several areas appeared poorly maintained, with visible debris, broken glass on the ground, and neglected vehicles. Interesting setting, but ultimately a disappointing stop.

    Micki M.

    Drive less than an hour away outside the LV Strip and you'll find Nelson Ghost Town. Just park along the road and check into the general store. Pay your admission of $2 per person and extra for photo taking. There are cold drinks and light snacks at the store as well. This is private property so don't trespass in the marked areas. The gift shop has a lot of interesting items. We purchased a necklace that was handmade by a local tribe(wish I took a pic) which we bought for my MIL. There's so much to see here and we loved how they weren't crowded. Highly recommend you bring your family.

    Victoria M.

    My second time take the drive out to look at all the cool things out here Lots of fun pictures to take Took my daughter for the first time we walked around looked at all the cool cars and buildings was a nice day wasn't very busy

    Afshin A.

    A Wild West Boomtown Washed Away by Time I was visiting my parents in Las Vegas. Mom was bored, so I suggested a day trip to Nelson Ghost Town, which I had driven through before but never stopped at. Mom was all for it, so we jumped in the car, and off we went! Nelson is about 45 miles from downtown Las Vegas, so it takes about an hour or less to get there. It lies Five miles from the Colorado River. Originally called El Dorado by the Spanish, who discovered it in 1775, the town boomed thanks to Techatticup Mine. The area attracted a unique population because it was rich in gold, silver, copper, and lead. They were mostly Civil War deserters looking for a fresh start. This discovery started one of the biggest mining booms in Nevada's history. The town itself was named after Charles Nelson, a camp leader who was tragically killed in his home by a renegade Native American named Avote in 1897, along with four others. Downstream from Nelson, at the eastern end of Eldorado Canyon, was Nelson's Landing. This small village and port thrived on the Colorado River, where the canyon met Lake Mohave. Unfortunately, disaster struck on September 14th, 1974. A flash flood caused by heavy mountain rains swept through the area. Five channels from the mountains converged into a narrow outlet where Nelson's Landing stood, causing a wall of water and debris estimated to be 40 feet high. The entire landing and village were destroyed, tragically claiming ten lives, including Ted Ducey, a college basketball coach. Unsurprisingly, the Techatticup Mine was a hotbed of conflict. Labor disputes and ownership battles were frequent, often erupting in violence. Murder became a grim reality in this lawless town. Despite the bloodshed and the ever-present threat of floods due to its location, fortune seekers continued to flock to Nelson. However, the town's fate was sealed once the valuable minerals were depleted. Nelson became practically uninhabitable because it was located directly on the path of potential flash floods. Today, what is left of Nelson stands above the flood channels--a few scattered ranch houses, an old Texaco station, and abandoned buildings. However, the landscape has found a new purpose. Nelson's unique atmosphere has attracted photographers, music video producers, and filmmakers. There is a US Navy fighter plane that supposedly crashed in Nelson, but it is not a real wreck! It was left behind from the scene of a 2001 movie called "3000 Miles to Graceland." There are also plenty of other relics, including old cars, mechanical devices, old signs, and more. All the signs that supposedly discourage or threaten potential visitors are what cracks me up. But they are mostly a joke! Many first-time visitors take them seriously. Mom and I parked our car in front of the visitor center (That is what I call it!) and went in to pay. The lady there gave us a quick "Do and don't" shortlist and told us to have fun! They did not even charge us an entrance fee! The visitor center is also a museum. We spent about 20 minutes inside looking at the relics in there. The lady saw us interested, gave us a few hints about what to check around there, and even joked with us. We replied accordingly and had a couple of good laughs. Mom and I spent at least two hours there and had a great time. Mom started posing next to as many relics as possible, and I got it all on camera! By the time we got home in Las Vegas, it was getting dark, and we were still talking about what we had seen and our good times.

    Old wedding chapel where they actually still have weddings
    Laurie Ann L.

    We stopped at this out-of-the-way Nelson Ghost Town on a recent day trip to Laughlin. It's only about 10 minutes off the main highway and when we got there we immediately parked in the wrong place. Some of the signs are a little confusing but you enter at the general store. Seems like a local family bought this old gold mine And the surrounding buildings and it just added stuff to it. It's very laid-back and it only cost one dollar if you want to walk around the property. There are all kinds of weird vehicles, crashed airplanes, and if there are at least four people the gentleman who owns the place will take you on a tour of the old gold mine. Unfortunately there were just two of us there that day. They have some cute and antique items for sale in the main general store and then you can go out and walk around the grounds on both sides of the street. "Just watch out for the cactus and the snakes". Some very interesting older cars, a crashed airplane, several old buildings that I'm sure were associated with the gold mine when it was active. Not something I would want to go to all the time but it's definitely worth one trip out there.

    Tiffany H.

    Ehhh nothing to write home about. More like a junkyard with a 2 to 3 cool buildings..cost a dollar per person. Lady running the store very rude and seems to hate men....VERY UNWELCOMING SIGN RIGHT WHEN YOU ENTER. we thought it was a joke till the lady inside just about said the stuff on the sign out loud.. ruined the whole experience. Never going back again. We will however go back to Nelson's landing which is only 5 miles down the road. You can swim in Colorado river..

    Raymond V.

    A friend of ours asked us to go with them to Nelson, Ghost Town and we said sure, and it was neat to see that they were able to preserve the town like it was

    Store/gift shop
    Kimberly D.

    Took a half day trip from Vegas out to Nelson to check out the ghost town. Very interesting place to wander around! Lots of cool old buildings and the antique signs were fun to look out. There's a gift shop there and they sell drinks which came in handy on a hot day (very little shade). I thought the old church was the cutest thing. They offer mine tours, but we did not do that the day we visited. There's really nothing else out there off hwy 165. You can continue past the ghost town a few miles to take a few pics at the Colorado River, but then it's just a loop turnaround back the way you came. We stopped in Henderson on the way back to Vegas for late lunch. Was a fun little adventure.

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kassity B.
    172
    71
    212

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 40
    Thanks 12
    Love this 38
    Oh no 0

    9 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jamie P.
    970
    1165
    1342

    11 months ago

    Helpful 14
    Thanks 2
    Love this 8
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 days ago

    Very friendly host, beautiful scenery. Worth the drive! So many options for photo shoots.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dwight C.
    811
    145
    510

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K J.
    0
    1
    5

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 16
    Thanks 3
    Love this 19
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 23
    Thanks 7
    Love this 19
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Raymond V.
    110
    48
    80

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mae R.
    66
    154
    269

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Nikki O.
    205
    1034
    4004

    4 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 3
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gayl B.
    471
    916
    1519

    3 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 2
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike B.
    370
    1480
    23255

    4 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 1
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nelson Q.
    2981
    1635
    38381

    5 years ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 0
    Love this 14
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Courtney M.
    2343
    1583
    18524

    4 years ago

    Helpful 68
    Thanks 0
    Love this 72
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Diane C.
    84
    177
    211

    2 years ago

    Rude signs calling visitors stupid greeted us after quite a long drive to visit. Very unfriendly place. We turned right around and left.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 0
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Monica M.
    51
    169
    260

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Nelson Nevada Ghost Town

    Is the road paved?

    The highway to get to Nelson Ghost Town is paved. Once you park, the parking lot is gravel and the area that you walk around on foot is gravel.

    Is there a place to eat in Nelson,nv.?

    Not that we could see. It is very small and appeared to be just residential.

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - Nelson Nevada Ghost Town

    If you're an explorer like me, you might get bored of Las Vegas and want to take a ride out and see the desert.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Kelso Depot - Outside the depot

    Kelso Depot

    4.6(28 reviews)
    68.0 mi

    My family and I were heading over to Vegas from Joshua Tree and took a route that went through the…read moreMojave National Preserve. I don't know why I have never been through here in my entire life, but it was neat to see the landscape and feeling like I was playing Frogger as I was trying to avoid all the potholes in the 2 lane road. One random stop we came across in the middle of the preserve was the Kelso Depot. I only stopped because I saw that there was a restroom that we could use, and then was surprised to see an actual visitor center to peruse. From the signage out front here's the history: "Built in 1924, the Kelso Depot housed a train station, ticket and telegraph office, restaurant, reading room, and dormitory rooms for railroad employees. It was often called the Kelso Club House, a Union Pacific Railroad term for employee boarding and recreational facilities. As railroad technology improved and fewer personnel were needed, the Depot became obsolete. It was closed in 1985, and Union Pacific planned to raze the building. Concerned citizens intervened and the building was saved. It was renovated and reopened as a National Park Service Visitor Center in October 2005." The Depot is currently under construction as of 12/2025, but you can walk around the building and peek in through the windows. Apparently the area around the depot was like a little village during WW II. It's neat to imagine what life would've been like living out here in the middle of nowhere back in the 1940's. There's no internet out in Kelso, but you can log into the NPS Wi-Fi while you're there.

    This place was a lifesaver! Bathrooms just when we needed them! We were in that Saturday I-15…read morererouted to I-40 craziness. Took us 10 hours from Huntington Beach to Vegas. We took a Waze suggestion which ended up saving us two hours. Happened upon the Kelso Depot just at the right time. We're so grateful to these guys keeping their bathrooms open even when the visitor center is closed.

    Photos
    Kelso Depot
    Kelso Depot
    Kelso Depot

    See all

    The Last Spike - Seven Magic Mountains across Las Vegas Boulevard from the Last Spike.

    The Last Spike

    4.4(5 reviews)
    26.5 mi

    A historically cool landmark…read more.. While we were hiking with Norm in Las Vegas, he mentioned The Last Spike. It sounded so awesome... it's a significantly important spot where the two teams of railroad track builders met and completed their mission! Alana and I set out to find The Last Spike. We followed the Yelp directions and walked from Las Vegas Boulevard to the railroad track, across and south of the Seven Magic Mountains. We were unable to find the marker. However, I found some loose, rusty spikes. Alana explained that they are dislodged with the vibration of the trains on the tracks...wow! Anyway, using Google maps, Alana found the informational sign across from where The Last Spike should be. It's on the same side of the road as Seven Magic Mountains and south of it. Hopefully, you'll be able to find it if you decide to take a look. It's an interesting piece of history !

    Trying to find this sign should have been so easy! If only the location pin was in the proper…read moreplace! Nadine & I trekked from S. Las Vegas Blvd to the railroad tracks over uneven desert sand, rocks, a small trench, cacti, and other things. It would have all been okay if I hadn't been doing this with recently bruised ribs! Sadly, we didn't even need to be out this way! After safely getting back to the car, I took a look on Google and found the right location. When in doubt, Google it! It is south of the location pin on Yelp. If you are coming from the Seven Magic Mountains (or Las Vegas), head south and it is on the same side of the road. If you pass the train bridge which crosses the road, you've gone just a little too far. This Last Spike is Nevada Historical Marker 195. This location is near where workers drove the last spike on January 30, 1905. It's always good to learn a little history. This was a neat piece of history to learn! There is a gravel path where you can drive right up to the sign. The Kia Soul made it up just fine. If you have doubts about driving on it, you can park near the entrance. There was a huge silver sign that we didn't see, maybe it is now gone? It said, "Track crews constructing West from Salt Lake City met track crews constructing East from Los Angeles". This sign should have been visible when we wandered to the tracks. I hope you will find this more easily than we did! I must say, we did have quite the adventure!!

    Photos
    The Last Spike - I found many loose spikes along the railroad

    I found many loose spikes along the railroad

    The Last Spike - It's located just before Mile Marker 9 headed towards Las Vegas

    It's located just before Mile Marker 9 headed towards Las Vegas

    The Last Spike - The Great Seal of the State of Nevada

    See all

    The Great Seal of the State of Nevada

    Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve

    Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve

    4.4(27 reviews)
    66.6 mi

    I've been on a LOT of tours in a LOT of places around the world, and Willy is in my top 10! The…read morecaverns are pretty cool, but Willy's knowledge, humor, pacing, and care made this a five-star experience. Our group ranged in age from tween to 60s and everyone was engaged for two hours. I'm a California Naturalist with high standards and Willy knows his stuff! As a native Californian I especially loved knowing he's local, young, and a former CCC "graduate". His contributions and energy are why these government programs are so important. Must see if you're visiting the area, but be warned -- you need reservations and these fill up weeks ahead of time. The paved road, nature center, views, and well-organized everything made this a real treat!

    Tours are offered on Friday-Sunday and Holiday Mondays at 11am and 2pm from October to May. In June…read moreand September, tours are on the same days but only at 10am. Reservations are highly recommended, as tour size is limited to approximately 12 people; and reservations are only taken via phone on Mondays between 8am-5pm. Cost is $10 per adult 17+ and parking is $10, payable at the visitors center upon arrival for the tour. The tour itself takes approximately 2 hours, and is about 1.5 mile round trip. It may feel strenuous for some people walking back up to the parking area from the caverns. Our guide was very knowledgeable and informative. I recommend bringing food and drinks to eat before or after the tour, as none is available. Also, leave your bags/belongings in the car. You will be asked to put these items at the entrance of the caverns, including water bottles.

    Photos
    Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve
    Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve
    Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve

    See all

    Hacienda Palomino - Chapel.  Now performing artts room.

    Hacienda Palomino

    4.8(4 reviews)
    37.7 miWestside

    I took a tour of Hacienda Palomino. This is also known as the Thriller Villa because it's where…read moreMichael Jackson lived in Las Vegas the last two years of his life. The house is privately owned and it's where many of the things from the Liberace Museum now reside. The tour I took was lead by Jonathan Warren, an expert on the life of Liberace. He's also is an expert in describing the Liberace items in the mansion. The tour lasted three hours and was very informative. The whole hacienda is not covered but the section closest to Palomino Lane is where the Liberace memorabilia is located. Reservations must be made for the tour. I was the only person yesterday because some that were scheduled needed to change their tour date. It was a fantastic tour. I had been to the Liberace Museum before it closed, but I never would know what I do now because of Mr. Warren's encyclopedic memory!

    Marking the 2nd anniversary of the death of the King of Pop Michael Jackson,…read morehis private residence, Hacienda Palomino was open to the public today. MJ fans got to take a little peak into the estate where he and his family spent time in Las Vegas for the last two years of his life. Here's some info and facts taken from the Facebook page: For Michael Jackson fans, this is the experience of a lifetime! Hacienda Palomino, the Las Vegas estate where Michael lived for the last two years of his life is the only place where you will be able to go to pay your respects, leave your flowers, and walk where The King of Pop walked, lived, dreamed, and created. He lived here with his children and security detail in complete privacy.... -Hacienda Palomino was brought over BRICK-BY-BRICK from Mexico in 1952 -1.7 Acres -7 Bedrooms, 12 Baths -Chapel, Loggia, Columnade, Garages, Kitchens, Guest House, Conference Room, Formal Dining Room, Elevator, Secret Tunnel, Sound Systems, Maids Quarters, and much more.... -Value $12 Million Only a section of the estate was open to the public, but in the future, there may be guided tours of the estate in the works...ALOHA!!!

    Photos
    Hacienda Palomino - Wall hanging of Michael Jackson.

    Wall hanging of Michael Jackson.

    Hacienda Palomino - Courtyard entrance.

    Courtyard entrance.

    Hacienda Palomino - One living room.

    See all

    One living room.

    Nelson Nevada Ghost Town - landmarks - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...