Ruby

Colorado's high-country ghost towns sit at altitudes that would give a flatlander nosebleeds — silver camps killed by an 1893 vote in Washington.

Ruby Canyon is a roughly 25 mi (40 km) canyon on the Colorado River located on the border of Colorado and Utah in the western United States, and is a popular destination for rafting and overnight camping (permits required). The canyon takes its name from the ruby-red sandstone cliffs that line its walls. The only access to the canyon outside of rafting is provided by the Union Pacific Railroad (formerly Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad) between Mack, Colorado and Westwater, Utah.

The on-the-ground condition of Ruby 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.

Here's the honest truth: access to Ruby 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 Ruby is roughly 39.1175, -109.0708 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

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.