Visit Bayhorse Ghost Town

There are other ghost towns in Land Of The Yankee Fork State Park between Stanley and Challis, including Bonanza and Custer, but the favorite along this stretch of road is Bayhorse Ghost Town. Bayhorse, like many other ghost towns in Idaho, was a silver and gold mining boomtown in the late 1800s. The first mineral deposit was discovered here in 1864, but the rush to the region didn't begin until 1877, when a significant lead-silver vein was discovered.

Bayhorse reached its pinnacle in 1888, but that was the final year that the mines here were fully operational. In 1889, a lot of catastrophes happened, including a fire that destroyed multiple structures. This, along with falling silver and lead prices, resulted in the closing of the Bayhorse mines in November.

At Bayhorse you can walk down the narrow, dusty main road through the town that once was and see historical buildings including the original mill which stands imposingly on a hillside. One of the things that make visiting Bayhorse so exciting is its location nestled inside a stunning canyon in the mountains. The drive out to this ghost town is quite spectacular so if you are driving through the area be sure to take the short detour to visit.

Google rating: 4.7/5
Phone: none
Address: Challis, ID 83226, United States
Website: none