Metropolis Ghost Town

Unlike most Nevada ghost towns, Metropolis has no mining history. It was a farming settlement with ambitions of creating an agricultural community among the high desert flats north of Wells, but those plans never materialized. A combination of drought, water rights disputes, cricket invasions, typhoid, and a hotel fire in 1936 brought the town to its end.

Today, the Lincoln School's brick entrance arch still stands as the most visible remnant, along with the hotel's foundation, a smattering of ruins, and the Valley View Cemetery

to the southwest.

Adventure Type: Self-guided historical exploration.

Surface: Dirt roads and open ground.

Difficulty: Easy, though the terrain is uneven in places.

Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for moderate temperatures.

The drive out to Metropolis is entirely on dirt roads from the town of Wells. Watch for open-range cattle along the way.

The Lincoln School is the main draw: the entrance arch remains standing while the upper floors have collapsed, and you can access the basement via concrete stairs. The hotel site is a block east of the school, now just a foundation.

Hours of Use: Open daily, sunrise to sunset.

Parking and Facilities: Pull-off parking near the ruins; no facilities on site, and cell service is unlikely.

Permits & Fees: No entry fee.

Are Dogs Allowed: Yes, on a leash.

What to Bring:

• Water (there is none available on site)
• Sturdy shoes for uneven ground
• A camera
• A hat and sun protection

While visiting, please follow the Dirt Road Code.