Old mining town vibes outside of vegas


Just about an hour outside of the Las Vegas strip lies a photographers paradise - Nelson Ghost Town. Hidden down a long road in the middle of the desert, pulling up to the ghost town feels like you have just stepped back in time. There is everything here; old rusted out cars, plane crashes, school buses, churches even rattle snakes. An endless amount of creativity for photos.

Eldorado Canyon

Pre-Vegas

The Spanish were first to strike pay dirt in the Nelson area. The Techatticup Mine sprang up in 1861, and word got around. Wherever there’s easy money to be made, seedy characters come out of the woodwork. And sure enough, war deserters, prospectors and desperados came to the area in droves, lured by visions of unimaginable riches. Before long, this little spot in the Mojave Desert was a boomtown with a rowdy reputation.

The Fate of Nelson


The mine was depleted and closed in 1941. Since then, the adjacent town of Nelson has gone on to enjoy many lives. Today, all that was abandoned has become a rare Western showcase, a vestige of a bygone past and a tribute to classic Americana. And over the years, Nelson Ghost Town has been a popular location for film shoots, including 3000 Miles to Graceland. The site is open for tours, weddings and photo shoots.