Phoenix Arizona travel and attractions near the route to Wickenburg

Stanton Arizona Ghost Town Near Wickenburg

Originally written by Tony Subia

Reviewed and updated by AZ Leisure Staff Writers on September 3, 2026.

Stanton, Arizona is a historic ghost town in Yavapai County near Wickenburg and Rich Hill, where a major placer-gold discovery in 1863 helped trigger a mining boom in the surrounding area. Originally known as Antelope Station, the settlement later became associated with businessman Charles P. Stanton, whose controversial reputation became part of local Old West history. Today, several historic buildings survive within property owned by the Lost Dutchman’s Mining Association, giving Stanton an unusual combination of preserved ghost-town history and active recreational mining use.

Stanton Ghost Town History
Rich Hill Gold Discovery
Charles Stanton
Stanton Ghost Town Today
Visiting Stanton
Directions
FAQ

Historic buildings at Stanton Ghost Town near Wickenburg Arizona

History Of Stanton Arizona Ghost Town

The Rich Hill Gold Discovery Of 1863

Gold discovered around Rich Hill in 1863 helped ignite a rush of prospectors into the Weaver Mining District. Rich placer deposits were found around Rich Hill, Antelope Creek and nearby washes, encouraging mining camps and settlements to develop throughout the area. Antelope Station grew as mining activity increased and eventually became the community known as Stanton.

Charles P. Stanton And The Town That Took His Name

Charles P. Stanton arrived in the area around 1870 and became one of the settlement’s most influential figures. He served in positions that included postmaster, deputy sheriff and justice of the peace, and Antelope Station eventually took his name. Stanton developed a notorious reputation, and Arizona history and folklore link him to political maneuvering, intimidation and several violent incidents, although many stories surrounding his activities remain disputed. His control of the community ended in 1886 when he was shot and killed in his store.

By the 1890s, Stanton was an established mining community with miners and their families, a general store, hotel, boarding house, stamp mill and other businesses. As mining activity declined and the richest deposits became less productive, the settlement gradually lost population and eventually became one of Arizona’s historic ghost towns.

Historic mining-era buildings at Stanton Ghost Town Arizona

Stanton Ghost Town Today

Several historic Stanton buildings survive today within property owned by the Lost Dutchman’s Mining Association. The site functions as an LDMA campground and recreational mining destination, while historic structures continue to preserve elements of the old settlement. The former stage stop serves as the camp office, the old saloon has been adapted for recreational use, and the historic Stanton Hotel remains part of the preserved townsite.

Visiting Stanton Arizona

Stanton is not operated like a conventional public ghost-town attraction. The historic townsite is privately owned by the Lost Dutchman’s Mining Association and is used as an active recreational mining and camping property. Visitors should verify current access requirements before making the trip and check in or obtain permission where required. Because operating schedules and visitor policies can change, confirm current conditions directly with the property before traveling.

Historic Features At Stanton Ghost Town

Historic Stanton Hotel and surviving town buildings
Former stage-stop building associated with the old settlement
Historic saloon building adapted for present-day use
Remnants of Stanton’s mining-era community
Rich Hill and the surrounding historic gold-mining district

Directions To Stanton Ghost Town

From Wickenburg, travel northwest on U.S. 93 for approximately 5 miles to State Route 89. Turn north onto State Route 89 and continue toward Congress for approximately 12 miles to Stanton Road. Turn onto Stanton Road and continue approximately 6.5 miles to Stanton. Portions of the route are unpaved, so road conditions should be checked before traveling, particularly after storms or during periods of wet weather.

Stanton Arizona Ghost Town FAQ

Where is Stanton Arizona?

Stanton is a historic mining settlement in Yavapai County near Rich Hill and approximately 20 miles north of Wickenburg, Arizona.

Why did Stanton Arizona become a ghost town?

Stanton developed during the mining boom that followed major gold discoveries around Rich Hill and the Weaver Mining District. As mining activity declined, the settlement gradually lost population and eventually became a ghost town.

When was gold discovered near Stanton Arizona?

Major placer-gold discoveries were made around Rich Hill in 1863. The discoveries attracted prospectors and helped spur the growth of mining settlements including Antelope Station, which later became Stanton.

Who was Charles P. Stanton?

Charles P. Stanton was a businessman and local official who became a powerful and controversial figure in the settlement during the nineteenth century. Antelope Station eventually became known as Stanton, and numerous stories and legends about his activities remain part of the town’s Old West history.

Can you visit Stanton Ghost Town?

Stanton is privately owned by the Lost Dutchman’s Mining Association and operates as an active recreational mining and camping property. Visitors should verify current access requirements and obtain permission or check in where required before exploring the historic townsite.

Is Stanton Arizona an RV park?

The historic Stanton property is used by the Lost Dutchman’s Mining Association as a recreational mining camp with RV and dry camping facilities. It is not simply a conventional public RV park, and access and camping requirements should be confirmed directly with the property.