Nelson Ghost Town | Eldorado Wilderness, Nevada

Coming During a Winter Season Soon!

Adventure Video Will Appear Here

Overview | Nelson Ghost Town | Eldorado Wilderness, Nevada

Video, Narrative and Slide Guides will appear during a Winter season soon!

Other Ghost Towns & Mines from the Same Era on LasVegasAreaTrails.com

Why Visit Nelson Ghost Town, Nevada?

Nelson is a resurrected, famous ghost town South of Las Vegas in Eldorado Canyon. It was established and thrived due to the mining boom in the late 1800’s and early 1900s.

Here you will find the historic abandoned Techatticup Mine and other scattered abandoned mines, weathered buildings, vintage vehicles, antique artifacts, old barns, a saloon, gas pumps, old rusted-out vehicles, a water pump, and a staged plane crash from the movie, 3000 Miles to Graceland starring Kevin Costner.

Tour, Photography and Wedding Destination Reservations

Tours of the town and famous Techatticup Mine must occur most days at 9a.m., 12p.m. or 2p.m. but must be arranged in advance by calling 702-291-0026

Nelson, Nevada Ghost Town Timeline

Earliest History

Native Americans, including Puebloans, Paiute and Mojave tribes mined turquoise

1755

Spaniards discover silver & gold and found town of “Eldorado”.

1850s

Systematic prospecting and mining begins. “Honest Miner”, “Morning Star”, “Techatticup” and other mining claims registered. Supplies were brought up the Colorado River via steamboat, the population of miners grew, many were civil war deserters. Buildings were erected; gold and silver were mined.

1861

Techatticup Mine taken from two Paiute words meaning “hungry” or “bread”, named for hungry Paiutes in the area who came to the mining camps begging for food. The mine was part of the Salvage Vein of minerals. It was in production from discovery in 1861 until the early 1940s, producing several million dollars in gold, silver, copper and led and is the oldest, richest and most famous gold mine in Southern Nevada. The “Wall Street” and “Savage” mines were also established around this time.

Mid-1860s to 1900

Height of mining activity in Eldorado Canyon and the surrounding area, possibly extracting $10 million in gold. During this time the town of “Eldorado” was renamed “Nelson” after Charles Nelson, a prospector who died in a mining accident on one of the nearby mines.

Violent History: The town gained a notorious reputation due to ownership and labor disputes often ending in murder. The nearest sheriff lived 200 miles to the North in Pioche, and murder, occurring almost daily, was not important enough to warrant a trip to Nelson. However, the steamboat traffic on the Colorado River that supplied the town and mining operations did warrant the establishment of a military post.

Early 1900s

Two of Nevada’s most famous renegade Native Americans lived in Eldorado Canyon: Ahvote, who killed 5 victims, and Queho, who killed over 20 people. Near the Techatticup Mine, Queho killed his last victim, Maude Douglas, in 1919, and successfully eluded Sheriff’s posses.

1920s

Nelson’s Landing at the nearby banks of the Colorado River becomes a conduit for the illegal alcohol trade during prohibition years.

1930s

After Hoover Dam was completed Nelson’s Landing became a popular destination for tourism and fishing.

1945

Techatticup Mine closed down, Nelson population dwindles. During the mid-1940s the cemetery was relocated one mile up from Nelson’s Landing due to rising waters from the new Davis Dam and Lake Mohave.

1994

Tony and Bobbie Werly purchased and restored the 51-acre grounds, including several mining claims, a store, a stamp mill, a bunkhouse and a few tin miner cabins. Techatticup Mine was also included in the purchase. The couple then began resurrecting Nelson as a tourist destination ghost town with many photo opportunities. Inside the main building, you will see many artifacts from the area and dozens of photos of all the movie stars that have filmed movies in the area.

2001

The crime film, “3000 Miles to Graceland” is shot in Nelson, staring Kurt Russell, Kevin Costner, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Bokeem Woodbine, Christian Slater, Kevin Pollak and Daisy McCrackin. The plane crash site in Nelson was staged as part of the film.

Visiting Nelson Ghost Town Nevada

Nelson is open every day except Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Hours vary by season, call (702) 291-0026 for current hours.

Techatticup Mine Tours:

Offered daily at 9am, 12pm and 2pm by reservation with Eldorado Canyon Mine Tours, call (702) 291-0026. As of 2024 the cost is $20 for adults; $12.50 for children.

Weddings

The town and chapel are a venue for weddings—there is an hourly fee for chapel weddings.

Photography

There is a $10/hour photography fee for both professionals and non-professionals. Call ahead to arrange for photography: 702-291-0026 The chapel is one of the best subjects for photography, but is off-limits during weddings. Great photo subjects include:

Old Road
Chapel
General Store (Eldorado Museum and photographer’s check-in site.)
Vintage Truck with Hay
Water Tank
Chevron Gas Station
Movie Set Plane Crash
Old Vintage Vehicles
Dr. Office
Motel Sign
Techatticup Mine, Equipment and Stamp Mill
Old Interpretive Signs

See the map on this page for exact location and recommended sequence of destinations for optimal flow of your photo route (will refine locations and sequence following my visit).

Directions | Nelson Ghost Town | Eldorado Wilderness, Nevada

The Eldorado Wilderness is South of Las Vegas. Take Interstate 11 South toward Hoover Dam. Just after the Railroad Pass exit, take a right onto exit 14 to Hwy 95 toward Searchlight. Then, take a left onto Hwy 165. Continue about 20 miles on Highway 165 to the town of Nelson. Address: 16880 State Highway 165, Nelson, NV 89046. Call for town and mine tours, photography permission and wedding destination information: 702-291-0026