Silver City Road

Silver City is a privately owned ghost town in Southern Idaho that looks just about like it did during its heyday in the 1880s. Silver City is one of the premier destinations for history buffs and people who want to escape today's rat race. Silver City Road starts as pavement but turns to gravel. The trail has steep climbs, and hairpin turns as it cuts through the picturesque mountains. One section of the road drops down to Sinker Creek with steep, hairpin corners. The road often sees heavy traffic, so take your time approaching the blind corners. As the road climbs out from Sinker Creek and starts into the trees, there is exposed rock from 2-6" tall. Even though this is a gravel road, high clearance SUVs are recommended over cars because of a couple of these rocks. The road gains almost 4,000 feet of elevation, so be prepared for more hairpin switchbacks as the road heads over the top of the grade and down to the public restrooms. Taking a left at the restrooms puts you within a mile or two of the town. Be prepared to go slow. Weekend visitors have overrun the locals, and the fastest way to their bad side is speeding through town. The speed limit is 5 mph. Stop by the Idaho Hotel, have a drink or a hamburger, and then walk around the town, stepping back into history. There is a campground at the far end of town right along Jordan Creek, but the campground is as primitive as it gets: no water, no services, and pit toilets. If you need it, make sure you bring it: besides getting food at the old hotel, there are no services available in Silver City. This road is closed seasonally from the first snowfall to Memorial Day Weekend, so please check with the Owyhee County Sheriff's Office for exact dates each year.