Ghost Towns of the Rockies

Alta

Ghost town in San Juan/Telluride County, Colorado · San Juan Mountains district

Founded
1877
Peak Population
~300
Elevation
11,100 ft
Primary Industry
gold
County
San Juan/Telluride
Coordinates
37.8847, -107.8667
View on Interactive Map Directions (Google Maps)

History

Active 1877-1940s. The Gold King Mine was the primary operation. Alta is on the National Register of Historic Places and offers spectacular views of the Wilson Range. The boarding house, several cabins, and mine structures still stand.

Visiting Alta

What remains: On National Register of Historic Places. Several buildings remain.

Access: 4WD road from Telluride (about 10 miles). Alta Lakes Road.

Photos

View of dilapidated mine ruins at the bottom of a hill and two buildings atop the hill in Alta, Colorado.
View of dilapidated mine ruins at the bottom of a hill and two buildings atop the hill in Alta, Colorado. — Muriel Sibell Wolle (Public domain)
Found a sweet camp spot in Telluride by name of Alta Lakes. Pleasantly popular, nice and high,great scenery, definitely on my list of places to return
Found a sweet camp spot in Telluride by name of Alta Lakes. Pleasantly popular, nice and high,great scenery, d — Zach Dischner (CC BY 2.0)
Alta Lakes
Alta Lakes — Jay Kantor (CC0)
Ruined building in Alta ghost town, Colorado, US
Ruined building in Alta ghost town, Colorado, US — Clyde Charles Brown (CC BY-SA 4.0)
View of the shafthouse and aerial tramway of the Alta Mine near Alta (San Miguel County), Colorado. Silver Mountain is in the distance.
View of the shafthouse and aerial tramway of the Alta Mine near Alta (San Miguel County), Colorado. Silver Mou — Walker Art Studio (Public domain)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Alta?

Alta is located in San Juan/Telluride County, Colorado, in the San Juan Mountains area at an elevation of 11,100 ft, coordinates 37.8847, -107.8667.

Can you visit Alta today?

4WD road from Telluride (about 10 miles). Alta Lakes Road.

What remains at Alta?

On National Register of Historic Places. Several buildings remain.

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