Whether you’re a history buff, or just up for a fun adventure, you’ll want to add a few of Western Canada’s ghost towns to your Canadian itinerary.

These abandoned towns and cities offer a rare opportunity to examine the way people lived in Canada’s wild and wooly west, albeit through a present day lens.

There are more than 1,585 official ghost towns scattered through Alberta and British Columbia.

Most of them are all that’s left of once thriving mining towns that were suddenly abandoned.

Residents often moved on after events the gold rush were over, or else when mines were simply no longer viable.

Many of the towns died during the widespread economic collapse of the 1930s.

Not all of these ghost towns are easy to access.

Many of these places offer nothing more than the ruined foundations of buildings that once represented thriving communities and a lot of hopes and dreams.

However, this is not always the case.

In this article, I’ll share 5 ghost towns located in western Canada where the buildings remain largely intact, standing as a testament to the lives of western Canada’s earliest settlers.

Things to Know Before Traveling to Canada

• With a high US-to-Canadian dollar exchange rate, there’s never been a more affordable time to road trip in Canada.
• Know the rules for crossing the border into Canada. Click here to find out more.
• Be sure to bring a passport for each traveler.
• While Canada officially uses the metric system, don’t be surprised if you hear distances referred to in miles in Alberta if you stop to ask for directions.
• Pets are welcome, but bring required documentation for them.
• Camping: In addition to private campgrounds, Canada has Provincial Park Campgrounds, National Park Campgrounds, Forest recreation sites in BC, and crown land camping in Alberta. Some ghost towns have on site overnight camping too (If you dare!).
• In BC, check the DriveBC website or app to get up to the minute reports on road conditions.
• In Alberta, find out about road conditions at 511.ca.

Barkerville, British Columbia

Barkerville isn’t so much a ghost town as it is a well preserved testament to life during the legendary gold rush that put BC on the map in the 1860s.

Still, this town’s 125 buildings and list of unique interactive activities make it a must-see for history buffs.

It’s also a great place to spend a day or two with the kids too because there’s a lot to see and do here, from theatrical and dance performances to gold panning and stage coach rides.

With townsfolk dressed in period costumes, It really feels as though you’ve traveled back in time.

Know Before You Go

• Barkerville has a strict no-pets policy. However, if you happen to have your four legged friend with you, the town rents shaded kennels where your dog can relax in comfort.
• The old townsite lies at a 4,000-foot elevation, nestled in the Caribou Mountains of the BC interior.
• Barkerville is located about 1.5 hours west of Quesnel along Highway 26.
• Admission Prices (GST = Goods and Services Tax):
  • General (Age 17–64): $21 + GST
    Seniors (65+): $15.76 + GST
    Student (with student ID): $15.76 + GST
    Youth (Age 6–16): $13.76 + GST
• The closest fuelling station is at Wells.

Where to Stay

There are numerous campgrounds in the Barkerville area. Here are the two local favorites:

• Forest Rose Campground: Campers here loved the level 55-by-13-foot pull-through sites, trees, and close proximity (2 km) to Barkerville to partake in gold rush themed activities. Forest Rose Campground has 56 campsites, 26 of which can be booked in advance.
• Lowhee Campground: Lowhee Campground is located within walking distance of Barkerville. Campers loved the treed, 50-by-14-foot campsites here. Lowhee Campground has 80 campsites, 47 of which can be booked in advance.

Sandon, British Columbia

In the 1890s Sandon, BC, was a thriving silver mining town that had all the modern conveniences for the day. Sandon even had its own electrical power station.

It had a reputation for being a wild, wild place with regular brawls in its casino and saloon.

However, after silver prices dropped the town would spend years in decline, until it was unincorporated in 1920.

Sandon is the heart of B.C.’s famous Valley of the Ghosts in the West Kootenays.

Know Before You Go

• Sandon is located just off Highway 31A, 15 minutes east of New Denver and 45 minutes west of Kaslo.
• Today, Sandon has 20 residents who work with volunteers to help keep the remaining buildings and roads in shape.
• There are numerous hiking/walking/biking and ATV trails where you can still find old remnants of the once booming town.
• Sandon has a cafe and gift store for visitors.
• The town offers workamping opportunities via its website.
• Pets are welcome but must be kept leashed and picked up after.

Where to Stay

The town of Sandon offers on site camping for just $15 for an unserviced site and $20 for a 30Amp serviced site.

Reservations are available by calling (250) 358-2141 or (250) 358-2247.

Cody, British Columbia

In the 1890’s Cody was a thriving town at the end of the Kaslo And Slocan Railway line.

Just 2 kilometres east of Sandon, the little town had 150 residents, as well as hotels, and businesses.

Today, the remains of a concentrator mill and the old K&S Railway stationhouse mark the site of the once-thriving community.

To get to Cody, continue along the main road past Sandon for about 2 km. The road does get very narrow but it’s perfect for biking or a walk.

When you get there, you’ll be rewarded with lots of ruins to explore.

Rowley, Alberta

In the early 1900’s Rowley Alberta a bustling railway town that was home to more than 500 residents.

Then came the Great Depression of the 1930’s, which led to a decline in rail transport and led to the town being largely abandoned.

Nowadays, there are just 12 people living here. They’re the ones who lovingly care for the buildings and properties in this little ghost town.

Key landmarks include a saloon, funeral home, bank, farmhouse, and several structures that were part of the town’s heyday and have been preserved to help tell the story of a typical Canadian prairie town.

Know Before You Go

• Rowley, Alberta is located about 30 minutes north of the town of Drumheller, home of the world’s largest collection of Dinosaur fossils at the Royal Tyrell Museum.
• The town of Rowley offers onsite camping by donation
• Rowley holds a popular pizza night fundraiser every Saturday night through summer at Sam’s Saloon.
• The town of Rowley offers scheduled guided tours of the town which may be booked through the Rowley, Alberta website.
• Pets are welcome in Rowley but the town asks that you keep them leashed and picked up after.

Where to Stay

Rowley offers onsite camping by donation. The Rowley campground is located right in the heart of this ghost town.

Wayne, Alberta

In the early 1900s Wayne, Alberta, was a bustling coal mining town with a population of around 1,500 residents.

Like many other ghost towns in western Canada, Wayne’s quick demise came after the coal industry collapsed during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

By the 1950s, only a handful of residents and a bunch of empty buildings remained in this once thriving town. There are still around 27 residents living here.

As a matter of fact, you can still get a cold beverage at the Last Chance Saloon.

Although this place still bears bullet holes denoting a wild and wooly past, it’s mellowed a lot over the last 100 years.

It’s not hard to envision this old west saloon when it was known as the “Bucket of Blood” by the thirsty miners that were known to brawl here in the 1920s.

Nowadays, the saloon is family friendly, and boasts a wild west vibe, complete with bar stools topped with western saddles.

Know Before You Go

• Wayne is located 6.2 miles southeast of Drumheller’s main townsite and 65 miles northeast of Calgary.
• You’ll need to cross 11 bridges to get to Wayne from the Drumheller townsite.
• Wayne’s wild west style buildings are well kept by the town’s remaining residents.
• This ghost town is definitely worth a visit.

Where to Stay

Wayne’s Rosebud Hotel offers authentic, wild west themed rooms for about $75 CDN per night.

However, the hotel also offers camping at its own treed campground. Click here to reserve or find out more information.

Discover the History of Canada’s Wild West

So, are you ready to chart your own course through Canada’s wild west? Pack up your RV and get set to explore these easy-to-access ghost towns.

Get ready to enjoy an unforgettable journey through some of Canada’s most scenic regions.

These long abandoned ghost towns are filled with fascinating history, and each is set in its own uniquely beautiful, diverse, and unique landscape.

Often, there are friendly faces around who are more than happy to divulge the long-kept secrets of these often mysterious places.

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