History and culture - Mountains
Gilman, a ghost town clinging to a cliff above the Eagle River
The abandoned company town of Gilman clings to Battle Mountain above the Eagle River, a striking sight from US 24 with a rich mining and cleanup story.
Published June 10, 2026 - Last verified June 11, 2026
South of Minturn, rows of empty buildings cling to the side of Battle Mountain high above the Eagle River. This is Gilman, an abandoned company town and one of Eagle County’s most striking ghost towns. You can take it in right from US Highway 24, where its cliffside perch makes for one of the most memorable views along the drive.
Gilman grew up around the Eagle Mine, which produced gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper over many decades. When mining ended and the workings were left to flood, heavy metals reached the Eagle River and harmed life downstream. The site was placed on the federal Superfund list in the 1980s, and cleanup has been overseen by the EPA and the state ever since. In recent years a portion covering the townsite was deleted from the Superfund list after work there was completed.
Good to know before you go: the buildings sit on private property and the broader site has a real environmental history, so Gilman is best enjoyed as a view from a distance rather than a place to wander into. The highway pullouts give you a fine look without entering.
If you want the full story, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the EPA both maintain pages on the Eagle Mine site. Those are the sources to trust for what happened and where the cleanup stands now.