Discover if Grafton Ghost Town near Zion is worth visiting! Explore its history, location, how to get there, and what to expect on your trip.
If the crumbling buildings of Grafton Ghost Town look familiar, you might have seen them on the big screen. This eerie yet picturesque spot was featured in the 1969 classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, making it one of the most famous ghost towns in Utah. But beyond its Hollywood cameo, Grafton has a fascinating past—one shaped by pioneering settlers, harsh conditions, and eventual abandonment.
Today, visitors are drawn here for its well-preserved structures, hauntingly beautiful scenery, and rich history. Whether you’re a photographer looking for a unique backdrop, a history buff intrigued by the remnants of the Old West, or just someone who loves the thrill of exploring forgotten places, Grafton is worth adding to your itinerary.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting Grafton Ghost Town near Zion, including its history, how to get there, what to expect, and whether it’s truly worth the trip.
Read More // Don’t forget to read my Ultimate Guide for your first visit to Zion National Park!
History of Grafton Ghost Town
Tucked away in the shadow of Zion National Park, Grafton Ghost Town is a haunting reminder of the early pioneer days in Utah. Founded in 1859, Grafton was originally settled by Mormon pioneers as part of a cotton-growing experiment encouraged by Brigham Young. The fertile land along the Virgin River made it an ideal spot for agriculture, and the settlers built homes, a schoolhouse, and farms to support their small community.
However, life in Grafton was anything but easy. Frequent flooding from the Virgin River washed away crops and homes, forcing settlers to rebuild multiple times. On top of that, tensions with local Native American tribes, harsh winters, and isolation made survival difficult. By the early 1900s, residents began to leave in search of better opportunities, and by 1945, Grafton was completely abandoned.
Though no one has lived in Grafton for decades, it has gained fame in popular culture. The town’s beautifully preserved structures and Old West aesthetic caught the attention of Hollywood, leading to its appearance in several films. Most notably, Grafton was featured in the 1969 Western classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The famous bicycle scene, set to the song Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head, was filmed right in the heart of Grafton.
Today, the town stands as a well-preserved ghost town, offering visitors a glimpse into the past with its abandoned homes, schoolhouse, and cemetery—a quiet tribute to the resilience of early settlers and the challenges they faced.
How to Get to Grafton Ghost Town
Grafton Ghost Town is just a short drive from Zion National Park, making it a great detour for history lovers and photographers alike. Located about 6 miles southwest of Springdale, the town is easily accessible by car, though the final stretch of the drive requires some caution.
Distance & Driving Directions
- From Springdale (Zion National Park’s main entrance) → Drive 3.5 miles west on UT-9 toward Rockville.
- In Rockville → Turn left (south) onto Bridge Road, cross the historic Rockville Bridge, and continue for 2.5 miles on a dirt road until you reach Grafton.
- The first part of the drive is paved, but the last 2.5 miles are on a dirt road.
- The road is usually passable in dry conditions for any car, but after rain, it can become muddy and difficult for low-clearance vehicles.
- There are no services in Grafton, so make sure to have enough gas, water, and supplies.
The Details
Where | Find Grafton Ghost Town on google map here.
Price | Free to visit – there are no entrance fees or permits required. But they do ask for donation so I invite you to give what you can to help with the preservation of Grafton.
What to Expect When Visiting Grafton Ghost Town
Grafton may be abandoned, but it still holds a powerful presence. The town’s well-preserved structures, hauntingly quiet landscape, and Old West atmosphere make it an unforgettable stop near Zion National Park. Here’s what you can expect when visiting:
What Remains of the Town
While many of Grafton’s original buildings have disappeared over time, a few key structures still stand:
- The Grafton Schoolhouse – One of the most iconic buildings, this brick schoolhouse doubled as a church and community center in its day.
- Abandoned Homes – A few preserved log and adobe houses give a glimpse into pioneer life in the 1800s.
- The Grafton Cemetery – One of the most fascinating (and eerie) parts of the town. Some tombstones date back to the 1860s, with stories of tragic deaths from Native American raids, accidents, and disease.
- Farming Equipment & Fences – Scattered remnants of the town’s early agricultural days can still be found.
Though the town is no longer inhabited, visitors can walk through the area freely, exploring these historic sites up close.
Tips for Visiting Grafton Ghost Town
Before heading to Grafton Ghost Town, keep these tips in mind to make the most of your visit while respecting the historic site.
Best Time to Visit
Best Seasons: Spring and Fall offer the most comfortable temperatures and the best lighting for photography. Winters can be cold, and summer afternoons can be extremely hot.
Best Time of Day:
- Golden Hour (early morning or late afternoon) – The soft light adds an eerie glow to the abandoned buildings and enhances photos.
- Midday visits in summer are not recommended—it gets hot, and the harsh lighting can wash out details.
Rules & Restrictions
Respect the Historic Site:
- Do not enter or climb on buildings – They are fragile and should be preserved for future visitors.
- Leave no trace – No littering or vandalism.
- Respect the cemetery – Many graves date back to the 1800s; be mindful when exploring.
- Check road conditions after rain – The dirt road can become muddy and difficult to drive on.
🚫 No Amenities – There are no bathrooms, visitor centers, or shops, so plan accordingly.
Read More // Where to stay near Zion National Park?
Should you visit Grafton Ghost Town? My final thoughts!
Grafton Ghost Town may be small, but it’s packed with history, charm, and a haunting beauty that makes it a unique stop near Zion National Park. Whether you’re drawn to its pioneer past, eerie abandoned buildings, or its connection to Hollywood, visiting Grafton is like stepping back in time. It’s an easy, free detour that offers incredible photo opportunities, quiet solitude, and a glimpse into Utah’s past.
If you love exploring ghost towns, Old West history, or off-the-beaten-path spots, Grafton is absolutely worth a visit.
Have you visited Grafton Ghost Town? Or is it on your list for your next Zion road trip? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear about your experience!
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I almost made a very different version of this reel.
Last time I posted about Smiths Falls, the comments surprised me and a lot of them seemed to come from people who actually live there. There’s nothing to do here. It’s boring. My first instinct was to make a whole clap-back video, screenshots and all.
But honestly? I get it. Nobody is a tourist in their own town. The canal is just the thing you cross on your way to work. The museum is where you went once on a school trip in grade four. When you see a place every single day, it goes invisible.
I grew up near the Bay of Fundy – home of the highest tides on the planet – and as a kid I thought it was the most boring place on earth. It took moving away to realize people cross oceans to see what was in my backyard.
So this reel is me being a tourist in your town for you. The 1912 bridge you’d paddle under if you hadn’t stopped noticing it. The museum where you can climb into the trains, and even sleep in one. The thrift trail. The mural. All of it.
To everyone who’s never been: this is your sign for an easy day trip from Ottawa or Kingston.
And to Smiths Falls locals: I dare you to do one thing from this list this weekend. Report back. 😌
What’s the thing in YOUR town that you’ve stopped noticing? I want to hear it.
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#SmithsFalls #RideauCanal #OntarioDayTrip #ExploreOntario #smalltownontario
I have a confession: half my road trips are reverse-engineered.
I don’t pick a destination and find a coffee shop nearby. I pick the coffee shop, then build a whole day around justifying the drive. A hike here, a beach there, some antiquing, all very respectable cover stories for the fact that I drove two hours for an iced latte.
Because here’s what I’ve figured out after years of crisscrossing Ontario: the best coffee shops are never just coffee shops. They’re the unofficial welcome centre of every small town. The barista knows which trail is muddy this week. The regulars will tell you where to park for free. The bulletin board has better local intel than any travel blog, mine included.
So this list isn’t really about coffee. It’s about the 12 places I use as an excuse to keep exploring this province. Swipe through, every single one comes with what to pair it with so you can build your own cover story.
From Thunder Bay to the County, consider this your permission slip to drive unreasonably far for caffeine.
Which one’s closest to you? And more importantly, what’s YOUR coffee shop worth driving for? I’m always taking notes. ☕
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#OntarioCoffeeShops #OntarioRoadTrip #DiscoverOntario #OntarioTravel #SmallTownOntario
For over a hundred years, the men who lived in this house woke up, looked at the lake, and went to work captaining the Wolfe Island ferry. Three generations of them. Same water, same crossing, every day.
I thought about that a lot during my stay at @themullinhouse_ (mainly from the bathtub, because the tub faces the lake and once you’re in it there’s no reason to be anywhere else.)
The Mullin House just opened as a stay, and those who brought it back to life did it in the best way that possible. Keeping the soul of the place.Places with an actual story make my job as a photographer easy. I just have to pay attention.
And if you want to stay here too: It’s a free 20-minute ferry from Kingston, 5 bedrooms, sleeps 10. So this is your sign to plan the group trip you keep talking about.
Save this for when you book it, and be honest, would you make it out of that bathtub by checkout?
Thank you to @themullinhouse_ for having me!
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#wolfeisland #kingstonontario #thousandislands #exploreontario #ontariotravel
I grew up an hour from the Bay of Fundy. And every few years, my school would pile us onto a bus and take us to Hopewell Rocks or Fundy National Park. And every single time, as a kid, I thought : ‘okay, cool. Rocks. Trees. Can we go home now?’
I had absolutely no idea what I was standing next to.
It took me leaving New Brunswick, travelling across the country before I came back to the Bay of Fundy as an adult and genuinely had my breath taken away. I grew up next to one of the most extraordinary places on the planet and completely took it for granted. And I think a lot of Maritimers probably feel the same way.
This carousel is my attempt to fix that, for myself, and for anyone who’s never made the trip. Scroll through and I’ll show you exactly how I’d plan a road trip along the New Brunswick side, from the tidal flats to the coastal cliffs to the little fishing towns that feel completely frozen in time.
And if you have extra days to spare, Saint John is absolutely worth a stop, underrated city, great food scene, and it sits right on the bay.
I’m also heading back this summer to try a stay I’ve had my eye on for a while, I genuinely cannot wait to tell you all about it. 👀
Save this for your New Brunswick road trip. 🙌
👇 Have you ever been to the Bay of Fundy? Were you as underwhelmed as I was at 10 years old? 😄
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#BayOfFundy #NewBrunswick #ExploreCanada #CanadaTravel #FundyNationalPark
I’ll be honest, when I pulled up to @whispering_springs I didn’t know what to expect. I’d seen the photos, I’d read the website, but nothing really prepares you for the moment you walk into your safari tent and realize this might actually be nicer than your apartment.
We’re talking a king bed, more space than I expected, and an actual bathtub, in a tent. I took a bath. In the woods. And I would do it again without hesitation.
Oh and the s’mores bar? Someone thought really hard about what would make people unreasonably happy at the end of a summer night and they nailed it.
Save this for your summer planning because at 90 minutes from Toronto there is really no reason to wait.
Now tell me have you ever gone glamping? If not, what are you waiting for!
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#OntarioGetaway #GlampingOntario #OntarioTravel #WeekendGetawayOntario
ExploreOntario
