5 Old-Timey Mining Towns In New Mexico
Long before New Mexico became well known for its awe-inspiring national parks and popular ski resorts, the state was shaped by prospectors in search of opportunity. Drawn to New Mexico's remote mountains and desert hills, they built boomtowns around rich veins of silver, gold, and turquoise, hoping for the chance to strike it rich. While many of these mining settlements eventually vanished as the resources dried up, a handful survived, shrinking in size but retaining their Old West charm. Today, these small mining towns offer travelers a chance to step back in time, offering a glimpse into the state's past through historic buildings, abandoned mine sites, and well-preserved main streets. Discover five old-timey mining towns in New Mexico where the past remains firmly intact.
Silver City
Founded in the early 1870s, this town was once the epicenter for mining, after silver deposits were discovered in the nearby Chloride Flat district, giving rise to a bustling mining camp that soon became the economic heart and soul of southwest New Mexico. Unlike many boom-and-bust mining towns that faded as resources dwindled, Silver City not only managed to survive but also to prosper, evolving into a lasting regional hub while maintaining strong ties to its mining heritage.
Begin your time here by exploring the Silver City Museum, which showcases the town’s rich mining and cultural heritage, featuring exhibits on notable figures such as the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid. From here, visitors can stroll through Silver City’s colorful historic downtown, where colorful murals and preserved 19th-century architecture line the streets. Be sure to step into one of the local galleries, such as Animalia Studio, or enjoy libations at one of the many coffee shops or restaurants.
Beyond downtown, outdoor enthusiasts can venture into the nearby Gila National Forest, home to the largest wilderness area in New Mexico, offering miles of hiking trails, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, and a chance to explore the unique Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.
Madrid
Once a bustling coal mining town, Madrid nearly vanished after the mines closed in the mid-20th century. Founded in the late 1800s by the Albuquerque & Cerrillos Coal Company, Madrid was a classic company town, complete with rows of wood-framed cabins, a company store, and a thriving workforce. After the mines closed in the 1950s, artists took it upon themselves to breathe new life into Madrid, turning it into one of New Mexico's quirkiest small towns. It was even featured as the town from the movie "Wild Hogs".
Spend time perusing the shelves of one of Madrid’s popular art galleries, like Indigo Gallery and Mostly Madrid, or enjoy hearty fare and live music at the historic Mine Shaft Tavern and Cantina, a longtime local landmark. If your travels take you here in December, be sure to stick around for Christmas in Madrid, a festive lighting ceremony that began with coal miners in the early 1900s and is still carried on by residents today.
Los Cerrillos
Los Cerrillos is small, but its mining history stretches back centuries. Long before American prospectors arrived, Indigenous peoples mined turquoise from the surrounding hills. By the late 1800s, Los Cerrillos became a boomtown for turquoise, gold, silver, and lead mining. While the population has dwindled to just a few hundred residents, the town remains remarkably intact, offering a glimpse into New Mexico’s layered mining history.
Head on over to the historic Casa Grande Trading Post, Petting Zoo, and Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum (yes, that is all one place), where visitors can explore photographs and a fun hodgepodge of artifacts from Los Cerrillos's mining era, pet animals like llamas and goats, and browse locally sourced turquoise jewelry and handmade trinkets. Afterward, spend time hiking through Cerrillos Hills State Park, where numerous trails wind past abandoned mine shafts and rolling desert landscapes.
Mogollon
Set deep in the Gila Mountains, Mogollon feels like a true frontier outpost. Founded in the late 1800s after rich gold and silver discoveries, this rough-and-tumble mining town once supported thousands of miners and their families. When the mines closed, most residents moved on, leaving behind a near-perfect Old West ghost town that still draws adventurous travelers and ghost hunters today.
Although more of a ghost town than the other mining towns of New Mexico’s Southwest, remnants of Mogollon’s boom years remain. On weekends between May and October, visitors can explore several historic buildings, including The Kelly Store art gallery, an antique store, a mining museum, the Silver Creek Inn, and a small café. No trip to Mogollon would be complete without a roughly one-mile walk to the local cemetery, which passes old mine workings and abandoned structures along the way, adding to the town’s eerie yet fascinating atmosphere. Just a short drive away, the Catwalk National Recreation Trail presents a unique opportunity to walk along a restored mining-era pipeline suspended through a narrow canyon, offering both history and dramatic scenery.
Chloride
In the rugged hills of southern New Mexico sits Chloride, one of the state’s best-preserved former mining towns. Founded in the late 1880s after one man discovered silver ore by accident, the town quickly grew into a thriving mining community, complete with homes, businesses, and a steady population of miners drawn by the promise of fortune. As silver production declined in the early 20th century, Chloride’s population dwindled, leaving behind a quiet settlement that still reflects its boom-era past.
Although largely considered a ghost town today, many of Chloride’s historic structures remain intact. Visitors can explore the Pioneer Store Museum, an original general store filled with mining artifacts, antique goods, and period furnishings, and the Monte Cristo Saloon and Dance Hall, a now restored saloon turned gift shop and gallery. A walk through town also reveals preserved buildings, including old residences and mining-era structures, offering a glimpse into daily life during the town’s peak. The surrounding desert landscape also makes Chloride a popular stop for photography and exploration, with remnants of nearby mine sites scattered throughout the hills.
Together, these five old-timey mining towns offer a window into New Mexico’s rugged frontier past. From once-thriving silver camps to near-perfect ghost towns tucked deep in the mountains, each destination reflects a different chapter of the state’s mining history. While the boom years have long since passed, preserved buildings, abandoned mine sites, and revitalized main streets continue to tell the story of the prospectors and communities that shaped the region. For travelers interested in history, small-town character, and off-the-beaten-path exploration, these mining towns remain some of New Mexico’s most compelling places to visit.
