Ghost Towns of the Rockies

Animas Forks

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

Founded
1875
Peak Population
1,000+
Elevation
11,180 ft
Primary Industry
gold
County
San Juan
Coordinates
37.9322, -107.5725
View on Interactive Map Directions (Google Maps) Wikipedia

History

Founded 1875 as a gold and silver mining camp. At its peak, Animas Forks had 30+ buildings, a post office, general store, saloon, and even a jail. The two-story Duncan House with its distinctive bay window is the most photographed ghost town building in Colorado.

Visiting Animas Forks

What remains: Well-preserved ruins, multiple original buildings including iconic Duncan House

Access: 4WD required via Alpine Loop (County Roads 2 & 4). Open June-September depending on snow.

Photos

Animas Forks, Colorado and Tuttle Mountain
Animas Forks, Colorado and Tuttle Mountain — Kimon Berlin (CC BY-SA 2.0)
View of the bustling camp of Animas Forks in the Animas River valley, (11,300 feet) San Juan County, Colorado; includes walled tents, wood frame gable
View of the bustling camp of Animas Forks in the Animas River valley, (11,300 feet) San Juan County, Colorado; — Unknown authorUnknown author (Public domain)
Source=[1], [2]
Source=[1], [2] — Unknown photographer (Public domain)
The ghost town of Animas Forks, Colorado, USA
The ghost town of Animas Forks, Colorado, USA — Adam Baker from Houston / Moscow / Toulouse (travel a lot) (CC BY 2.0)
Wood buildings with false fronts line a rocky dirt street in Animas Forks, a town about 13 miles northeast of Silverton, Colorado. An unhitched wagon
Wood buildings with false fronts line a rocky dirt street in Animas Forks, a town about 13 miles northeast of — Joseph Collier (Public domain)
Animas Forks, Colorado and Tuttle Mountain
Animas Forks, Colorado and Tuttle Mountain — Kimon Berlin (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Gold Prince Mill at Animas Forks, Colorado 1915
Gold Prince Mill at Animas Forks, Colorado 1915 — unknown. Photo edited by contributor. (Public domain)
This is an image of a place or building that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States of America. Its reference numb
This is an image of a place or building that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the Unit — Int77345 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Animas Forks?

Animas Forks is located in San Juan County, Colorado, in the San Juan Mountains area at an elevation of 11,180 ft, coordinates 37.9322, -107.5725.

Can you visit Animas Forks today?

4WD required via Alpine Loop (County Roads 2 & 4). Open June-September depending on snow.

What remains at Animas Forks?

Well-preserved ruins, multiple original buildings including iconic Duncan House

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