Alberta’s abandoned towns fall into two main categories: the Prairie Pioneers (rail and farming settlements) and the Mountain Miners (coal and resource extraction towns).

I. ⛰️ The Mountain Miners (The Rockies & Foothills)

These sites are often tied to dramatic, tragic histories, offering visible foundations and ruins that the forest is slowly reclaiming.

1. Bankhead (Banff National Park)

The Story: A bustling coal mining town established in 1903, shut down just two decades later when the government revoked the lease. The townsite was dismantled, the buildings shipped away, and the land returned to the park.

The Creep Factor: The town's cemetery, a chapel foundation, and the massive, rusting remnants of coal-processing equipment are all that remain. It’s located just minutes from the busy Banff townsite, adding to the eerie contrast.

Must-See: The Bankhead Interpretive Trail walks you through the lower townsite ruins. Look for the haunting stone steps that once led to the Miner's Catholic Church.

Nearby Bonus: Minnewanka Landing, an entire resort village flooded by a dam in 1941, now preserved underwater in Lake Minnewanka. Popular with scuba divers, or equally eerie to envision from the shore.

2. Nordegg (Clearwater County)

The Story: A former coal mining community (Brazeau Collieries) that thrived from 1914 to 1955. Unlike many ghost towns, much of its industrial infrastructure remains intact.

The Creep Factor: The immense, decaying Brazeau Collieries Mine Site is a National Historic Site. On Halloween Day in 1941, a mine fire killed 29 miners—a tragic history that hangs over the site.

Must-See: Book a guided tour of the massive industrial ruins. For the free experience, explore the townsite, including remnants of the old schoolhouse, church, and the extensive, scenic graveyard.

3. Frank Slide (Crowsnest Pass)

The Story: The ultimate ghost town tragedy. In 1903, a massive limestone slab from Turtle Mountain crashed down, burying part of the coal mining town of Frank in minutes. Nearly 100 people were killed.

The Creep Factor: While no buildings remain, you drive and walk through the 30 million cubic metres of scattered rock—boulders the size of houses—that crushed the original townsite. The sheer scale of the disaster is overwhelming and haunting.

Must-See: The Frank Slide Interpretive Centre offers a full picture of the disaster, survivor accounts, and the science behind the treacherous Turtle Mountain.

II. 🌾 The Prairie Pioneers (The Badlands & Southern Plains)

These towns were primarily agricultural hubs killed by the Great Depression, drought, or the railway passing them by. They offer iconic, lonely silhouettes against the flat horizon.

4. Rowley (Near Drumheller)

The Story: A small farming community that peaked around 500 residents. It dwindled to just a handful of citizens, but unlike most, the remaining residents chose to preserve the town.

The Creep Factor: It’s an incredibly well-preserved snapshot of a 1920s railway town, complete with three iconic grain elevators, abandoned houses, and old storefronts. The only signs of life are the annual summer "Rowley Days" or the few permanent residents.

Must-See: The main street is perfectly walkable, allowing you to peek through the windows of the old bank and the perfectly preserved general store.

5. Wayne (Near Drumheller)

The Story: A small coal town, once home to thousands, now a hamlet of about 40. Its claim to fame is the winding road to get there.

The Creep Factor: To reach Wayne, you must cross eleven single-lane bridges over the Rosebud River—a journey so unique it feels like entering another dimension. The town is rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of a pro-union coal miner residing in the historic hotel.

Must-See: The Rosedeer Hotel and the Last Chance Saloon. The saloon is not a ghost, but a fully functional, historic watering hole popular with bikers. Grab a drink and ask a local about the town's darker legends.

6. Dorothy (Special Area No. 2)



The Story: Another Badlands farming community that peaked in the 1920s and slowly faded away.

The Creep Factor: Dorothy is defined by its two iconic, abandoned churches and the imposing, derelict grain elevator that dominates the empty landscape. The sense of profound, quiet abandonment is palpable.

Must-See: The tiny, historic Dorothy Church sits silently next to the crumbling wooden elevator, providing an unforgettable photo opportunity that captures the heartbreak of the prairies.

⚠️ Ghost Town Exploration: Safety and Ethics

Responsible ghost town tourism is critical to preserving history and respecting the land.

Respect Private Property: Many ghost town remnants (especially individual houses and smaller buildings) are on active, private land (farms and ranches). Do not trespass. If a building is fenced, respect the boundary. View from the road or a designated public area only.

Take Nothing but Photos: Do not touch, deface, or take any artifacts (bottles, signs, tools, etc.). This is illegal, dangerous, and robs the site of its historical context.

Leave Nothing but Footprints: Pack out all garbage.

Safety First: Abandoned structures are unstable and highly dangerous. Never enter a collapsed or rotting building. Watch for loose nails, broken glass, and holes. Cell service can be spotty.

Check Conditions: Prairie roads can become impassable mud pits after rain. Always check local road reports before venturing down unpaved Range Roads or Township Roads.