There's a particular quiet you only find where a town used to be. Novak has it. Novak, also known as Cindell Spur, is a ghost town in Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States. It was an early mining camp.
Lawrence County holds 43 documented ghost towns, including Albany, Allerton, Annie Creek — Novak keeps them company on the map.
The story of Novak
South Dakota's ghost towns mix Black Hills gold camps with prairie farm towns the Dust Bowl finished.
Novak, also known as Cindell Spur, is a ghost town in Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States. It was an early mining camp.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Novak is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.
Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.
Getting there
Here's the honest truth: access to Novak is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Novak is roughly 44.2164, -103.5519 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.
Good to know
Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.
Survey Map
Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting
Novak FAQs
01Where is Novak located?
02What county is Novak in?
03What is the history of Novak?
04What remains at Novak today?
05Can you visit Novak?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Novak, South Dakota”), CC BY-SA.
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