Fun Places | Thistle Ghost Town
Hype:
Thistle is a ghost town in Spanish Fork Canyon in southeastern Utah County, Utah, United States. During the era of steam locomotives, the town's primary industry was servicing trains for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. The fortunes of the town were closely linked with those of the railroad until the changeover to diesel locomotives, when the town started to decline. In April 1983, a massive landslide dammed the Spanish Fork River. The residents were evacuated as nearly 65,000 acre feet of water backed up, flooding the town. Thistle was destroyed; only a few structures were left partially standing. Federal and state government agencies have said this was the most costly landslide in United States history, the economic consequences of which affected the entire region. The landslide resulted in the first presidentially declared disaster area in Utah. U.S. Route 6 (US‑6), U.S. Route 89 (US‑89) and the railroad (now part of Union Pacific Railroad's Central Corridor) were closed for several months, until they were rebuilt on a higher alignment overlooking the area. The remains of Thistle are visible from a view area along US‑89.
Time:
Fees: None
Recommended Ages:
 | 0-3 |
 | 4-11 |
 | 12-19 |
 | 20-49 |
 | 50-69 |
 | 70+ |
Recommended Months to Visit:
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Navigate to 39.989718, -111.498651.
Closest City or Region: Spanish Fork Canyon, Utah
Coordinates: 39.989718, -111.498651
By Jeremy Dye
On my way through for a work trip, I stopped and took some pictures of the ruins at Thistle Ghost Town. I looked all over for the Thistle Schoolhouse only to discover that it is no longer standing. The only thing left is a pile of stones.
Ghost Towns
No Drinking Water
No Fires
No Restrooms
Road Access is Paved
Access Road is 2WD Accessible