Skidoo Ghost Town
If ever there was a Death Valley ghost town that might have a real ghost, it's Skidoo.
Plan Around Skidoo Ghost Town
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Skidoo Ghost Town Details
If ever there was a Death Valley ghost town that might have a real ghost, it's Skidoo. One of the many gold-rush mining towns formed in the first decade of the 20th century, Skidoo famously was the site of the only hanging in Death Valley, the victim being a saloon owner named Hootch Simpson who robbed the town bank and killed a shopkeeper. Simpson was reportedly hung twice, the second time for the benefit of news photographers. The nearby gold vein stumbled across by two prospectors lost in fog actually produced a decent amount of ore, but despite the fact that Skidoo lasted from 1906 to 1917, little remains now of the town. Some mining equipment and debris remains. You can reach Skidoo via a turnoff on Emigrant Canyon Road; a high-clearance vehicle is required to navigate the unpaved road.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
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Nearby Parks Around Skidoo Ghost Town
Compare nearby parks around Skidoo Ghost Town when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Skidoo Ghost Town
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Skidoo Ghost Town while the map context is still fresh.
2.1 mi away
Harrisburg Ghost Town
The Harrisburg ghost town in Death Valley is named after prospector Shorty Harris.
5.5 mi away
Aguereberry Point
This scenic viewpoint is located more than 6,000 feet up in the Panamint Range.
7.1 mi away
Wildrose Campground
Located high in the Panamint Mountains at 4,100 feet in elevation.
8.9 mi away
Wildrose Peak Trail
The hike to Wildrose Peak is one of the few hikes in the park that are comfortable during the summer months.
9.0 mi away
Charcoal Kilns
Built in 1877, this series of 10 beehive-shaped masonry kilns were used to turn wood into charcoal fuel to feed a pair of smelters at nearby lead and silver mines.
