Goldfield, NV — A Living Ghost Town for Curious RVers

Why Goldfield Belongs on Your Desert Route

If you’re craving a stop that’s more story than selfie, Goldfield NV delivers. Just 26 miles south of Tonopah on US-95, this living ghost town blends boomtown history with modern desert art—and it’s incredibly convenient for RVers. In the early 1900s, Goldfield exploded into Nevada’s biggest city, complete with banks, newspapers, a stock exchange, and opulent hotels. Then, as quickly as it rose, the gold veins dwindled, fire struck, and the town froze in time. Today, wide streets, brick facades, and rusted relics whisper the tale of ambition, grit, and desert survival.

For the Smart RVer, Goldfield checks three boxes: easy access, walkable history, and one truly bizarre bucket-list attraction you won’t see anywhere else.

The Headliner: International Car Forest of the Last Church

Distance from Tonopah: ~26 miles south (about 30 minutes)
Why go: Free, open-air, mind-bending desert art

Dozens of cars, vans, and buses are planted nose-down or stacked upright like metal totems, all layered in evolving graffiti. Artists Mark Rippie and Chad Sort started the installation to create a record-setting “forest” of vehicles—today it’s an otherworldly photo playground and a symbol of Goldfield’s DIY art energy.

RVer tips

• The site is on a dirt road just off US-95; go slow and mind washboards.

• Visit golden hour through dusk for dramatic color and soft light.

• Pack out everything; this is a fragile desert art environment.

• Overnight parking is not the intent—treat it like a day-use visit, then return to a nearby RV park.

Goldfield’s Can’t-Miss Historic Landmarks

You can leave the rig at your site, hop on a bike or stroll the main streets, and cover a lot in one afternoon.

Goldfield Hotel (Exterior Viewing)

Four stories of brick grandeur and decades of ghost stories. Once the pride of the district with electric lights and an elevator, it’s now closed to the public—but the facade is a must-see (and a favorite of paranormal TV crews). Respect barriers and private property lines.

Esmeralda County Courthouse

Still in use today, this stone landmark anchors the town with classic early-20th-century architecture. A quick photo stop and a great place to frame your “then vs. now” narrative.

Goldfield High School (Exterior)

A massive three-story monument to optimism—proof that locals once expected a long, prosperous future here. Even in “arrested decay,” it’s striking.

Goldfield Historic Cemetery

Simple markers, poignant inscriptions, and a quick walk that puts human faces on the boom-and-bust arc. Move gently and leave everything as you found it.

Santa Fe Saloon

Often cited as Nevada’s oldest continuously operated saloon, this spot pours Old West atmosphere by the glass. Step inside for a drink and imagine the prospectors’ tall tales.

Planning a Trip to Tonopah, too? Read our Next Stop: Tonopah RV Guide for mines, clowns, and dark skies.

Goldfield for RVers: Where to Park, Resupply & Relax

RV-friendly stays:

• Goldfield Miners Camp – RV sites suited to rigs of many sizes; convenient jumping-off point for town and Car Forest.

• Goldfield RV Park / Clark’s Custom Camp – Options vary; check hookups, water pressure, and length limits before you roll in.

Rig & road notes

• Fuel & groceries: Plan major shopping in Tonopah; Goldfield has limited essentials.

• Connectivity: Expect patchy cell service in spots; download offline maps.

• Seasons: Spring and fall are comfortable. Summer is hot (great for night photography), winter can be cold but gorgeous for moody shots.

Safety & etiquette

• Respect closed buildings and posted signs.

• Wind is real—secure mats, chairs, and trash.

• Hydrate and carry extra water even on “short” walks.

1-Day Sample Itinerary (With Room for Photos)

Morning (arrive + orientation):

• Set up at your RV park, grab coffee, and swing by the Courthouse and High School for context and photos.

Midday (street wander):

• Walk or bike the main avenues; pop into the Santa Fe Saloon for lunch or a beverage.

• Drive the neighborhood loops for easy exterior views of the Goldfield Hotel.

Late afternoon to dusk (art & light):

• Head to the International Car Forest. Work your angles as the sun drops—silhouettes, reflections in windows, close-ups of paint, and wide frames with mountains on the horizon.

Evening (return + night sky):

• Back at camp, grab layers and, if skies cooperate, do a short star session—light pollution is minimal and even casual Milky Way shots can pop in summer and fall (new moon is best).

Photography Playbook (Quick Wins)

• Golden Hour: The Car Forest glows; metal takes on warmth and graffiti color pops.

• Foreground interest: Use painted doors or steering wheels to frame distant buildings.

• Night: Keep a red headlamp handy and mind your ISO—3200–6400 on modern cameras is fine; start around 15–20 sec at f/2.8 for Milky Way.

• Respect the art: Don’t climb on vehicles or add paint; leave no trace.

The Story in Short: Rise, Blaze, and Afterglow

Gold was discovered in 1902, and within a few years Goldfield swelled to an estimated 20,000 residents—Nevada’s largest city at the time. Banks, newspapers, and the famed Goldfield Hotel signaled serious wealth. Big-name characters traversed the scene; prizefight hype and frontier justice were part of daily life. By 1910, production waned. A 1923 fire destroyed many wooden structures, accelerating the decline. What remained—and still remains—is a rare open-air archive of Western ambition, framed by big sky and bigger stories.