Valley Wells

California wrote the book on ghost towns, from Gold Rush tent cities to Owens Valley farm towns the aqueduct dried up.

Homewood Canyon-Valley Wells is a former census-designated place (CDP) in Inyo County, California, United States. The population was 75 at the 2000 census. Prior to the 2010 census, it was dissolved into Homewood Canyon CDP and Valley Wells CDP.

Valley Wells sold the one thing the country around it didn't have: water.

The on-the-ground condition of Valley Wells 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 Valley Wells 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 Valley Wells is roughly 35.8442, -117.3397 — 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.