Independence Ghost Town (Aspen Historical Society) Description

Independence Ghost Town is an archaeological preserve located sixteen miles east of Aspen on Highway 82, just below the summit of Independence Pass and the Continental Divide. According to legend, prospectors discovered the Independence Gold Lode on July 4, 1879, making it the first mining site in the Roaring Fork Valley and setting off a mining boom that helped define the area’s development. The site features remnants of cabins, stables, a general store, and other structures from the original settlement. Interpretive signs and trails provide information about the characters, enterprises, and historical significance of the once-bustling mountain town.

Independence Ghost Town is within the White River National Forest and is operated, stewarded, and funded by the Aspen Historical Society under permit from the United States Forest Service. The site is accessible for self-guided exploration while Independence Pass road is open, typically during summer months. Admission operates on an honor system with a suggested donation of five dollars for adults, free admission for children eighteen and under when accompanied by an adult, and free admission for active military personnel. An honor system admission box is located at the trail entrance. Dogs are not permitted in the ghost town.

The Aspen Historical Society offers guided walking tours exploring Independence Ghost Town during summer and winter seasons, with docent hours varying during the summer months. Tours last approximately one and a half hours and meet at the upper parking lot. Guides provide historical context about nineteenth-century mining life, mountain survival, and the eventual decline of the settlement. The preserved structures and interpretive materials allow visitors to understand the daily challenges faced by those who lived in this high-altitude environment. Independence is part of the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway, making it a natural stop for road trips through the area. Limited services are available on Forest Service lands.

Services: Self-Guided Tours, Guided Walking Tours, Historical Interpretation, Archaeological Preservation, Educational Signage
Category: Culture
Features: Museums, Family, Unique Attractions, Historical Sites
Address: 16 miles east of Aspen on Highway 82) Aspen, CO, 81611
Directions: View on Google Maps