Canada holds countless stories of towns that once thrived but now stand silent, their buildings and streets preserved as if time stopped. These ghost towns offer a glimpse into the past, revealing the lives and industries that shaped the country. Exploring these places can feel like stepping into a living history book. This post highlights 24 of the most intriguing ghost towns across Canada, each with its own unique story and atmosphere. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a photographer, or simply curious, these towns invite you to discover the echoes of a bygone era.
1. Barkerville, British Columbia
Barkerville was once the largest town north of San Francisco during the Cariboo Gold Rush of the 1860s, drawing thousands of miners hoping to strike it rich. Today, it stands as one of Canada’s best-preserved ghost towns, with original wooden buildings, boardwalks, and period storefronts lining its dusty streets. Costumed interpreters bring daily life of the gold rush era back into focus, making it feel less abandoned and more frozen in time. Walking through Barkerville feels like stepping directly into the past, where echoes of ambition and hardship still linger.
2. Balaclava, Ontario
Hidden in the forests near Ottawa, Balaclava was once a bustling 19th-century logging town fueled by the timber industry. When the mills shut down, the community slowly faded, leaving behind a handful of weathered structures, including a sawmill and general store. Today, nature has reclaimed much of the area, surrounding the remaining buildings with dense woodland. The silence and isolation give Balaclava a quietly haunting atmosphere, perfect for hikers and history enthusiasts.
3. Val-Jalbert, Quebec
Val-Jalbert was a planned company town built around a pulp mill in the early 1900s, complete with homes, schools, and a church. When the mill closed abruptly in 1927, residents were forced to leave almost overnight. The town has since been carefully restored, with dozens of original buildings still standing along quiet streets. A powerful waterfall nearby adds to the dramatic setting, creating a beautiful yet unsettling contrast between natural force and abandoned industry.
4. Sandon, British Columbia
Once known as the “Capital of the Silvery Slopes,” Sandon thrived during the late 1800s silver mining boom. At its peak, the town was filled with hotels, saloons, and businesses catering to miners and prospectors. When the mines closed, Sandon declined rapidly, leaving behind wooden sidewalks, aging storefronts, and scattered relics. Today, it feels like a classic Wild West ghost town tucked deep into the mountains.
5. Rhyolite, Alberta
Rhyolite experienced a brief but intense gold rush in the early 1900s, growing quickly before collapsing just as fast. By 1911, the town was abandoned, leaving behind solid stone and concrete structures that still stand starkly against the open prairie. The remains of a bank, jail, and train station hint at the optimism that once defined the settlement. The isolation and exposed ruins give Rhyolite an especially eerie presence.
6. Dunvegan, Alberta
Dunvegan began as a fur trading post and later developed into a missionary settlement along the Peace River in the 19th century. Though not a traditional mining ghost town, its abandoned structures and historic ruins tell the story of early frontier life. A preserved church and remnants of trading buildings sit quietly along the riverbank. The setting feels peaceful rather than ominous, offering a reflective glimpse into Canada’s early settlement era.
7. New Denver, British Columbia
New Denver still has residents today, but its surroundings are dotted with abandoned mining sites that speak to a once-thriving silver industry. The town itself retains a vintage charm, with heritage buildings and quiet streets. Nearby ghost towns and mining ruins add layers of history to the area. A local museum helps preserve the stories of boom-and-bust cycles that shaped the region.
8. Kitsault, British Columbia
Kitsault is one of Canada’s most famous modern ghost towns, built in the late 1970s to house workers for a molybdenum mine. When the mine closed in 1982, the town was abandoned almost overnight. Unlike older ghost towns, Kitsault remains remarkably intact, with homes, a school, grocery store, and even playgrounds still standing. The eerie perfection of the empty streets makes it feel like time simply stopped.
9. Bankhead, Alberta
Located near Banff National Park, Bankhead was once a thriving coal mining town supporting hundreds of workers and their families. When the mines closed in the 1920s, the town was dismantled and left to decay. Today, visitors can wander through foundations, mine structures, and interpretive trails surrounded by forest. The contrast between natural beauty and industrial ruins creates a haunting atmosphere.
10. Ocean Falls, British Columbia
Ocean Falls was once a bustling pulp and paper mill town on British Columbia’s central coast. After the mill shut down in the 1980s, the town emptied rapidly. Many buildings still stand, slowly being overtaken by moss and rainforest vegetation. The constant rain, fog, and silence give Ocean Falls a deeply atmospheric and almost post-apocalyptic feel.
11. Jerome, Saskatchewan
Jerome was a small prairie farming community that slowly declined when the railway bypassed it. Without transportation and trade, residents moved away, leaving behind only a few structures. A church and schoolhouse still stand against the wide-open prairie, exposed to wind and weather. The emptiness of the landscape amplifies the sense of abandonment.
12. Cassiar, British Columbia
Cassiar was a remote asbestos mining town that operated for decades before closing in the early 1990s. Once home to hundreds of residents, it featured a hospital, school, and community facilities. After the mine shut down, the town was abandoned, leaving rows of empty buildings surrounded by rugged mountains. Its isolation makes it one of the most unsettling ghost towns in Canada.
13. Glenbow, Alberta
Glenbow was a small coal mining town near Calgary that vanished after the mines closed in the early 20th century. Today, only foundations and scattered remains mark where homes and businesses once stood. Interpretive signs help visitors imagine daily life in the town. The quiet setting offers a subtle but powerful connection to Alberta’s industrial past.
14. Kitscoty, Alberta
Kitscoty once served as a small agricultural and railway community supporting local farmers. When rail service declined, the town slowly lost its population. Empty buildings and quiet streets remain as reminders of its former role. The stillness gives the town a nostalgic, slightly haunting character rather than outright decay.
15. Silver Islet, Ontario
Silver Islet was a mining settlement located on a tiny island in Lake Superior and was once home to the richest silver mine in the world. When the mine closed, the town was abandoned, leaving behind remnants of buildings and mining equipment. Surrounded by water and rugged shoreline, the site feels isolated and dramatic. Its remote location adds to the sense of mystery.
16. Phoenix, British Columbia
Phoenix flourished as a copper mining town in the early 1900s, complete with a smelter, homes, and businesses. When mining operations ceased in the 1920s, the town quickly emptied. Today, visitors can explore ruins scattered across the hillside, including smelter remains and foundations. The area offers panoramic views and a strong sense of history.
17. Kitsault, British Columbia
Kitsault stands out as a rare example of a late-20th-century ghost town. Its modern design, paved roads, and intact buildings make it feel unsettlingly recent. Unlike older ghost towns eroded by time, Kitsault looks ready for residents who never returned. The preservation makes it one of Canada’s most fascinating abandoned places.
18. Fort Steele, British Columbia
Fort Steele began as a gold rush settlement and quickly developed into a regional center before declining. Today, it has been carefully preserved as a heritage town. Original buildings, reenactments, and exhibits bring the past to life. While not abandoned in the traditional sense, its preserved stillness captures the spirit of a ghost town.
19. Eganville, Ontario
Eganville was once supported by logging and farming industries. As economic activity shifted, parts of the town were abandoned. Old mills and structures remain scattered through the surrounding countryside. The blend of natural beauty and fading industry creates a quiet, reflective atmosphere.
20. Silver City, British Columbia
Silver City was a small silver mining settlement that faded when mining activity declined. Today, the forest has reclaimed much of the townsite, with old cabins and rusted equipment scattered among the trees. The ruins are subtle but atmospheric, rewarding those who seek them out.
21. Dunvegan, Alberta
Dunvegan’s abandoned church and trading post ruins offer insight into early missionary and fur trade life in northern Alberta. The site’s location along the Peace River adds a sense of calm and timelessness. It feels more reflective than eerie, grounded in history rather than decay.
22. Balaclava, Ontario
Balaclava’s remaining sawmill and general store stand as quiet reminders of the logging industry that once dominated the area. Surrounded by forest, the buildings feel hidden and forgotten. The isolation gives the site a haunting stillness.
23. Rhyolite, Alberta
The stone buildings of Rhyolite remain some of the most striking ghost town ruins on the prairie. Though the town existed only briefly, its solid construction speaks to the optimism of the gold rush era. Today, the structures stand alone, weathered and silent.
24. Ocean Falls, British Columbia
Ocean Falls’ abandoned buildings, draped in moss and framed by rainforest, create one of the most atmospheric ghost towns in Canada. The combination of isolation, decay, and coastal wilderness makes it feel almost cinematic. Exploring the town offers a haunting look at how quickly industry and community can disappear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What defines a ghost town in Canada?
A ghost town in Canada is typically a once-populated settlement that has been abandoned or has very few residents left. These towns often declined due to economic changes such as the closure of mines, mills, or railways that supported them.
Are these ghost towns safe to visit?
Most ghost towns are safe to visit, especially those preserved as historic sites like Barkerville or Fort Steele. However, some abandoned towns may have unstable structures or difficult access. It is important to research each location and follow safety guidelines.
Can I stay overnight in any of these ghost towns?
Few ghost towns offer accommodations. Some, like Barkerville and Fort Steele, have nearby lodging and tourist facilities. Others are remote and lack services, so plan accordingly.
What is the best time to visit these ghost towns?
Visiting during late spring to early fall is ideal for most ghost towns in Canada. Weather conditions are milder, and access roads are usually open. Winter visits can be challenging due to snow and cold.
Are guided tours available for these ghost towns?
Yes, some ghost towns like Barkerville and Fort Steele offer guided tours and reenactments. Other towns may have local guides or historical societies that provide information.
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