If you’ve lived in Arkansas long enough, you’ve probably heard stories about towns that boomed and busted, leaving behind echoes of our frontier past. The ghost towns in Arkansas are more than just abandoned buildings—they’re pieces of Arkansas history. Visiting these spots makes for a fun and educational adventure, combining local history, outdoor fun, and plenty of chances for the kids to explore.
Arkansas is dotted with abandoned, semi-abandoned, and barred-level “ghost towns,” proving it difficult to narrow down a list. In this article, I’ve chosen ten of the most tourable and interesting ghost towns in Arkansas. Some are more abandoned than others, and some have virtually nothing left but fascinating photos in a museum. But, all of them have something educational to offer the adventurous family!
The Top Ten Ghost Towns in Arkansas
Let’s take a deep dive into ten ghost towns around the state, each with its unique story, and find out what they have to offer for your next family adventure! For this epic adventure, you might want to have grandma and grandpa tag along!
1. Rush Ghost Town
Nestled in North Arkansas, between Clabber Creek, Rush Creek, and the Buffalo River, the abandoned town of Rush was once a bustling mining community. The most famous of the ghost towns in Arkansas, Rush dates back to the early 1900s. It was Arkansas’s zinc capital along with neighboring Clabber Creek. The thriving communities housed hundreds of miners and families working to extract zinc ore during World War I. But when the demand dried up, so did the town. The mines were destroyed after World War II and the post office closed in the 1950s, signaling the end of an era.
Today, Rush is part of the Buffalo National River Wilderness, protected by the National Park Service. In the Historic Mining District, you’ll find well-marked trails leading past old mining ruins, including ore-processing mills, abandoned log cabins, a general store, busted rock wall foundations, and a blacksmith shop.
Rush Trails
The Morning Star Interpretive Loop is just 0.25 miles long and explores the old town center. The Mine Level Trail is 1.5 miles with very steep portions that traverse the area where the old mines are located. There is also a short driving route with interpretive signs. Be very careful around closed mines and mind all “no entry” warnings. The mines are no longer manned and are not structurally stable.
For a kid-friendly twist, turn the visit into a scavenger hunt. Ask your kids to find specific ruins, like the Monte Cristo Mine or the remnants of the general store. Don’t forget to bring water and sturdy shoes—the trails can be rocky in spots but are easy enough for older kids to tackle. If you want to extend your day, the area has major river access for kayaking or canoeing, or you can take one of the numerous amazing hikes in the area, the closest being the Indian Rock House Trail!
Site Info:
Fee: Free
Duration: 1.5-3 hours if you engage with the signage.
Location: You can park at the Rush Interpretative and Mine Livel Trailhead Parking Lot. The historic site is not marked on Google Maps, but the Rush campsite is, and you can follow the signs from there to the old town.
2. Monte Ne
Monte Ne, just outside Rogers, is one of the most unique ghost towns in Arkansas because most of it is underwater. Built in the early 1900s by entrepreneur William “Coin” Harvey, Monte Ne was meant to be a luxury resort. Harvey envisioned it as a hub for his economic reform ideas. However, his dreams didn’t pan out, and when Beaver Lake was created in the 1960s, much of the town was flooded.
It featured the first indoor swimming pool in Arkansas and a few hotels at its peak, but when it failed, Harvey had trouble coping. Convinced the end of civilization was at hand, he began to construct strange monuments, like a 130-foot obelisk he called “The Pyramid” that would house books and important ideas to rebuild society after the apocalypse.
Most of the structures on land have been demolished at this point. When the water levels drop, you can still see parts of Monte Ne, including the amphitheater, hotel foundations, and Harvey’s mausoleum. This is a fascinating spot for older kids and teens who love history and a bit of mystery. You can hike along the shore for a closer look or, if you’re feeling adventurous, paddle out in a kayak.
Site Info:
Fee: Free
Duration: 1 hr
Location: Off the East Hwy 94 Spur, you’ll find the Monte Ne Boat Ramp and Monte Ne Tower, though demolished, it still shows up on Google Maps.
3. Eros
A great many ghost towns haunt Marion County including Anderson Flat, Bruno, Zinc, and Eros. That latter is a ghost town that once thrived as a farming community. The town faded over the decades, leaving behind an old school, a general store, and a cemetery.
The school building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been slightly restored. The General Store is in ruins, but you can look through the busted windows at the “treasures” of the past that fill its rooms. The nearby cemetery, with its weathered gravestones, offers a poignant reminder of the people who lived and worked here.
For younger kids, this can be a great opportunity to learn about Arkansas’s agricultural history and the challenges rural communities face. Bring notebooks for sketching or journaling—the quiet setting is perfect for creative minds.
Note: The area is not totally neglected. It’s really a combination of an old town and a new school. The Ozark Mountain School District is located in Eros. Another of the best ghost towns in Arkansas, Bruno, is located just down the road.
Site Info:
Fee: Free
Duration: 30 mins
Location: Marion County, just west of Yellville
4. Bruno
Bruno is another small town in Marion County that has faded into history. There’s not much left here, but the post office and cemetery tell the story of a community that once thrived.
Walk through the cemetery, and you’ll find gravestones dating back to the 1800s. These markers offer a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived in Bruno, from farmers to shopkeepers.
Site Info:
Fee: Free
Duration: 1 hr
Location: Marion County—Take Hwy 65 to Junction 235 and turn left.
5. Zinc
Zinc, in Boone County, was once a thriving mining town, thanks to its rich deposits of zinc ore. Like many mining towns, Zinc experienced a boom and bust, and much of it has since faded away. Incorporated in 1904, it suffered a major flood in 1927, followed by the Great Depression, and the post office finally closed in 1975, adding it to the not-so-official list of ghost towns in Arkansas.
For families, Zinc offers a quieter, less crowded experience. Walk along the trails that lead to the old mines, and you’ll get a sense of the hard work that went into extracting minerals here. This is a great spot to talk about Arkansas’s mining history and how it impacted local economies. You’ll also find the old community center and a fun swinging bridge!
Note for visitors: Zinc is still a small inhabited town, and not one with a good reputation. In the 21st century, it has been labeled “The Most Racist Town in America,” along with neighbor Harrison. This is because the national director of the KKK has a compound in Zinc. While no one is likely to be in danger in recent years, don’t be surprised if you see some disturbing road signage.
Site Info:
Fee: Free
Duration: 1 hr
Location: Just NE of Harrison. Zinc is just north of Eros if you want to add it to your Eros/Bruno adventure.
6. Booger Hollow Outpost
Once a popular roadside attraction on Scenic Highway 7, Booger Hollow is one of the cutest ghost towns in Arkansas with plenty of character. The trading post and its famous two-story outhouse are still standing, giving you a peek into mid-20th-century roadside Americana. Built as a gimmick town for tourists in 1961, the outpost is actually miles from the town of Booger Hollow, and on the mountain, not in the hollow at all.
Fun Fact: The town gets its funny name from the old-fashioned idea that hollows or valleys were haunted by mythical creatures known as the bogeyman or boogieman.
This is a fun, quirky stop for families, especially those with younger kids. The humorous signs and the novelty of the two-story outhouse make for great photo opportunities. You can also use this visit as a chance to talk about how roadside attractions played a big role in family road trips before the interstate system took over.
Site Info:
Fee: Free
Duration: 1 hr
Location: Hwy 7, just north of Simpson
7. Calico Rock
Calico Rock in north-central Arkansas is a rare gem—a town where history and modern life coexist. Perched on the banks of the White River, the town gets its name from the colorful, calico-like streaks on the towering bluffs nearby. Once a bustling steamboat landing and railroad boomtown in the early 1900s, it was the largest town in Izard County for decades. Though its population has dwindled to around 1,500, Calico Rock remains a captivating destination for ghost hunters and history enthusiasts.
The town’s preserved Ghost Town District, also known as Peppersauce Ghost Town, offers a glimpse into the past. More than 20 structures, including a barber shop, theater, café, and cotton gin, stand as remnants of another era. Each site in the Old Quarter is marked with signage detailing its historical importance, and while most buildings are viewed from the street, the self-guided walking tour immerses visitors in the tales of early 20th-century life.
With an old saw-mill, and its strategic location, Calico Rock has always been a place to shop, and it is still is! Just steps away from the ghost town, the vibrant historic Main Street features antique shops, the Calico Rock Museum, and local art, creating a unique blend of past and present.
This area is a wonderful location for a family weekend getaway! With trout fishing on the White River and the Blanchard Springs Caverns just a stone’s throw away!
Site Info:
Fee: Free
Duration: 2-3 hours
Location: North-Central Arkansas, just north of Mountain View
8. Arkansas National Post
Located along the Arkansas River near Highway 169, Arkansas Post National Memorial offers a deep dive into the area’s early history. Established in 1686 by French explorer Henri de Tonti as a trading post, the site was abandoned a few years later before becoming Fort St. Charles III under Spanish control in 1762.
When the U.S. took over in 1803, the area grew into a key river port and a busy center for trade and governance. At its height, the town had around 3,500 residents and was equipped with amenities like a bank, racetrack, and brickworks. However, the arrival of railroads in the late 1800s caused the town to lose its former prominence.
Today, the old town is managed by the National Park Service and is well-maintained. You can explore this historically rich site, which includes walking trails, informative exhibits, and markers highlighting the town’s rise and decline. It’s a great spot for those interested in early Native American, Colonial, or Civil War history.
Site Info:
Fee: Free
Duration: 2-3 hours
Location: Gillett
9. Pinnacle Springs
Pinnacle Springs is one of the saddest stories amongst ghost towns in Arkansas. Once a bustling resort community in northern Faulkner County, it now offers a haunting look at what was a promising destination. Discovered in 1880 by Jeff Collier, the springs were believed to have curative properties, leading to the development of the town by James D. Martin and the formation of the Pinnacle Springs Land Company in 1881. By 1886, the town boasted two hotels, a post office, 12 bathhouses, and even Arkansas Christian College, which lasted just one year.
However, by the 1890s, the town began to decline. The spring water failed to live up to its health claims, and the community’s reputation soured due to its association with “immoral” residents and dry status. As popularity waned, many people left for nearby towns like Guy and Greenbrier.
Fires destroyed several buildings, and others were dismantled and relocated. By the 1950s, the once-thriving town had all but vanished, leaving behind only traces of the past—such as names and dates carved into the rock walls near the springs. Today, Pinnacle Springs is a quiet site, with few physical remnants remaining, but it offers a unique look into the rise and fall of a frontier-era resort.
Site Info:
Fee: Free
Duration: 30 mins
Location: Pinnacle Springs Road, five miles north of Greenbrier on the east edge of Cadron Creek.
10. Daleville and Graysonia
Daleville and Graysonia are two ghost towns in Arkansas with rich histories tied to the state’s early industrial growth. Once a thriving timber and railroad town in the late 1800s, Daleville declined after the timber reserves began to wane and the railroad bypassed the area. Production was moved to Graysonia.
Graysonia, located in Clark County, became a bustling mill town. Founded in 1907, it became home to one of the South’s largest mills, producing 150,000 board feet of lumber per day during its peak in the 1910s. The town had a population of over 700 people at its height, complete with a movie theater, schools, hotels, and a water and electric system. However, as the timber supply dwindled and the Great Depression hit, Graysonia’s mill closed in 1931, and the town was abandoned.
Today, little remains of either town except for some crumbling mill foundations, but visitors can still explore the quiet area where the mill once stood. While most of the structures are gone, the history of the town’s rise and fall can be pieced together through remnants of the landscape and stories of the workers who once lived there. Parts of the Graysonia site are on private property and have been reported gated off in recent years.
Site Info:
Fee: Free
Duration: 1-2 hours
Location: Graysonia is still listed on Google Maps, halfway between Arkadelphia and Murfreesboro. The area is very remote and sparsely populated. Prepare for dirt road adventures!
Tips for Exploring Ghost Towns in Arkansas
- Be Prepared: Many ghost towns in Arkansas are remote, so bring snacks, water, and sturdy shoes. Make sure to check Google Maps and look at the terrain. You may need a 4WD vehicle to access the more remote ghost towns in Arkansas.
- Make It Fun: Turn visits into scavenger hunts or storytelling adventures for the kids.
- Pack a Picnic: These towns often have beautiful natural surroundings—perfect for a family meal outdoors.
- Leave No Trace: Respect the sites by not climbing on or disturbing fragile structures. Obey all posted signs and don’t enter condemned structures.
- Do Your Homework: If you choose to visit the numerous small towns that aren’t on our list, know that some towns are on private property or have restricted access, so research ahead of time.
Ghost Towns in Arkansas: Rediscover Arkansas’s Past
Exploring the ghost towns in Arkansas is a fantastic way to connect with the area’s rich history. Whether you’re hiking through Rush, kayaking to Monte Ne, or strolling the streets of East Calico, these eerie destinations connect us with the not-so-distant past and remind us that our beautiful state is an ever-evolving one.
So load up the car, bring your sense of adventure, and hit the road. Arkansas’s ghost towns are waiting to tell their stories!
For more epic adventures in Arkansas, check out our family-adventure blog! We post a new article every Tuesday jam-packed with educational and fun family outings and activities!