Desert 'Ghost Towns' That Refuse to Die | Jerome, Arizona

We're living in our van for the winter down here in the Southwest, where we visit the historic 'ghost town' of Jerome, get a history lesson from a local and learn what makes this area so unique! We spend a few days camping in the area and taking the scenic drive to Perkinsville where we realize that the adventure is far more important than the actual destination. We then carry on down the road towards Prescott where we find a beautiful lake to get out for a sunset paddle (finally!)

📍Perched way up on the side of Cleopatra Hill above the Verde Valley, Jerome, Arizona began in 1876 as a rough mining camp drawn by incredibly rich copper ore deposits that had attracted human activity in the region for centuries. When copper prices fell and the mines closed in 1953, Jerome’s population shrank to just a few dozen, nearly becoming a ghost town. Today, its historic buildings, mining relics, and artistic community draw visitors from around the world, and the entire town is preserved as a National Historic Landmark District. Jerome stands as a vivid reminder of the American West’s mining boom — blending geology, culture, and history in a town that went from boom to bust and back to life as a beloved historic destination.

👨‍👩‍👦We're Alannah, Kyle & Diesel, and we've now been on the road for a year and a half, living full-time in our self-converted Chevy Van, Walter. We're currently travelling across the beautiful American Southwest before making our way back up home to Canada. Be sure to like and subscribe to follow along for future adventures! Cheers everybody!

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