Why Route 66 Detours Beckon Backpackers
Stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, Route 66 symbolized American wanderlust in the 1920s-60s. As interstates bypassed it, towns withered, leaving skeletal motels, saloons, and gas stations. Today, these spots lure adventurers with free dispersed camping on BLM land, minimal crowds, and a time-capsule feel.
Backpacking amplifies the thrill. Light packs mean agility for exploring mine shafts and slot canyons. Eerie vibes peak at dusk—creaking winds through broken windows mimic ghostly footsteps. History buffs unearth personal stories: faded photos in abandoned homes or rusted cars frozen in time.
- Historical Depth: Boomtowns born from gold rushes or railroads, abandoned post-WWII.
- Natural Beauty: Surrounded by deserts, mountains, and canyons for epic hikes.
- Budget-Friendly: No entry fees; camp wild for free.
- Adventure Mix: Day hikes, night chills, Route 66 nostalgia.
Essential Gear for Ghost Town Backpacking
Pack smart for arid climates, rough terrain, and self-reliance. Route 66 ghost towns span hot days (100°F+) and chilly nights (30°F). Water scarcity demands planning—carry 1 gallon per person daily.
- Backpack: 40-60L with frame for multi-day treks.
- Shelter: Lightweight tent or bivy; hammock for slot canyons.
- Sleep: 20°F rated bag, inflatable pad.
- Hydration: 4L bladder + purification tablets; scout seasonal springs.
- Navigation: Gaia GPS app, paper maps (cell service spotty).
- Protection: Bear spray (scorpions, rattlers), headlamp, first-aid with snake bite kit.
- Extras: Multi-tool, solar charger, binoculars for spotting ruins from afar.
Leave No Trace: Pack out trash from past squatters. Respect private claims near some sites.
Top Ghost Towns: Detours and Highlights
Rhyolite, Nevada: Desert Boomtown Specter
Just off Route 66 near Beatty (15-mile dirt road detour), Rhyolite exploded in 1904 with gold fever—population 10,000 in months. By 1916, it was dust. Stroll the intact bank vault, bottle house, and 3-story ruin of the Cook Bank.
Eerie vibes: Train depot’s empty tracks evoke stranded souls. Sun-bleached skeletons of porches creak in wind gusts. Backpackers love the vast BLM land—dispersed camp amid ruins or hike to nearby Ladd Mountain for panoramas.
Hidden Campsite: Bullfrog Hills dispersed area, 2 miles out. Fire rings optional; stargazing unmatched. 3-mile loop trail circles townsite.
Two Guns, Arizona: Canyon of Death Legend
East of Flagstaff on I-40 (old 66 alignment), Two Guns clings to Diablo Canyon. A 1920s trading post with zoo and “Mystery Shack,” it burned and flooded into oblivion. Peer into the “Apaches’ Death Cave”—a real massacre site from 1878.
Vibes turn hair-raising at night: Coyote howls echo off red walls; explore zigzag ruins by headlamp. Backpacking bonus: Rim-to-rim canyon hikes (5-8 miles) lead to secret ledges for tents overlooking the Petrified Forest.
Prime Spot: Canyon rim pullouts—primitive but wind-sheltered. Pack stove; no water. Nearby, hike to petrified wood fields.
Glenrio, Texas/New Mexico: Border Ghost Straddle
Straddling TX/NM on I-40, Glenrio’s faded “66 Super Service” sign welcomes you to desolation. Once a bustling truck stop, it’s now wind-swept relics: bowed motel, empty diner, grain elevators like monoliths.
History hits hard—last holdouts fled in the 1970s. Eerie: Mirage-like heat waves distort buildings; sunset casts long shadows like reaching fingers. Backpack west on the dry lake bed for solitude.
Campsite Gem: Lake Marvin (former playa)—flat, firm ground for tents. 10-mile out-and-back to Endee ruins. Windproof your setup.
Nelson, Nevada: Mining Hellhole Hangover
Detour south from Route 66 near Searchlight to Techatticup Gorge. Nelson’s 1771 Spanish origins led to lawless shootouts. Ruins include stone cabins, a schoolhouse, and gallows scaffold.
Thrills: Scramble mine adits (stay out—hazards); flash floods carve dramatic slot canyons. Ghostly allure peaks in the graveyard—unmarked graves under cottonwoods.
Backpack Haven: Eldorado Canyon walls offer ledge camps with Colorado River views. 7-mile gorge loop; filter river water.
Eerie Tales and Supernatural Whispers
Ghost towns fuel legends. Rhyolite’s “bottle house” builder reportedly haunts it, clinking glass at midnight. Two Guns’ cave claims Apache spirits seeking revenge—hikers report cold spots and whispers.
Glenrio locals spin yarns of Dust Bowl phantoms hitchhiking. Nelson’s “hanging tree” sways sans breeze. Skeptics? Chalk it to isolation and shadows. Believers pack sage. Either way, solo nights amplify the uncanny—perfect for reflective journaling by firelight.
Pro Tip: Visit off-season (fall/spring) for peak solitude. Full moons light ruins like movie sets.
Backpacking Routes and Campsite Secrets
Link towns into epics: Day 1 Rhyolite to Death Valley (50 miles drive/hike hybrid). Day 3 Two Guns to Painted Desert. Total: 200-300 miles driving, 20-40 miles backpacking.
- Multi-Day Route: Flagstaff base—Two Guns (day hike), Glenrio overnighter, Nelson loop.
- Campsite Hacks: Use iOverlander app for user-verified spots; dig cat holes far from ruins.
- Water Strategy: Cache at towns like Kingman; LifeStraw for seeps.
- Wildlife Watch: Roadrunners, burros, coyotes—store food high.
Safety first: Tell someone your itinerary. Flash floods in washes; check weather. Road conditions vary—high-clearance vehicle ideal.
Preserving the Past, Fueling Your Future
Backpacking Route 66 ghost towns revives personal history amid America’s faded dreams. Each creaky board and rusted relic reminds us of resilience. Unearth your own stories—snap ethical photos (no touching), share online responsibly.
As highways roar on, these detours endure for wanderers. Grab your pack, fire up the old Route 66 playlist, and chase the ghosts. The Mother Road awaits your revival.
Word count: 1,156. Ready for the road?
