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In much of america, towns get reimagined rather than abandoned; after the decline of the whaling industry, Cape Cod's villages evolved into vacation spots. But the West has always been different. The boom-and-bust cycles of oil and mineral discovery combined with seemingly endless land reserves meant that, beginning in the 19th century, entire towns were built only to be deserted within a few years. Now, as architects and planners push for greater recycling of buildings and public spaces, many of these places are being cleverly repurposed as vacation destinations-especially in Colorado, home to more than 1,500 uninhabited towns. CampV is one example. A trio of Telluride-based architects has turned the outpost, which was built in 1942 around a (long-closed) uranium mill, into a Burning Man-esque compound with eclectic accommodations (restored historic cabins, Airstreams, and chic tents) and site-specific art installations, with the snowcapped San Juan Mountains as a backdrop. There is a similarly artsy vibe at New Sky Ranch-once a 100-acre settler's homestead on the edge of the Rio Grande National Forest, now a hip campsite and creative retreat, that will soon host workshops on things like green building techniques. Its artist owners, Victor Rivera and Gigi Douglas, are slowly renovating old miners' cabins and a barn that was once a dance hall. Surrounded by aspens deep in the Elk Mountains, rickety wooden Crystal Mill is one of Colorado's most photographed historical sights. Chris Cox, the owner of Crystal ghost town, is turning the abandoned silver-mining camp that the mill powered until 1917 into a sustainable retreat with 20 luxe cabins and a farm-to-table restaurant. Activities like fishing, horseback riding, and excellent backcountry skiing will, Cox hopes, usher in the next generation of adventurers.
This article appeared in the September/October 2022 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here.