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All the United States Texas San Angelo Lower Ghost Camp

Lower Ghost Camp

A mysteriously abandoned campsite in San Angelo State Park.

San Angelo, Texas

Added By
Spencer Darr
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Lower Ghost Campsite.   Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
Lower Ghost Campsite.   Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
An abandoned rest room.   Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
Dirt dauber nests adorn the wall corners around a dangling light fixture.   Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
An open stall door.   Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
A handicapped accessible bathroom stall sans toilet seat.   Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
A landlocked boat ramp.   Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
The trail next to the landlocked boat ramp.   Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
Lower Ghost Campsite.   Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
“DANGER: LAKE AHEAD SLOW DOWN”   Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
Lower Ghost Campsite.   Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
Lower Ghost campsite G-24.   Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
Lower Ghost Campsite.   Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
Lower Ghost Camp pipe trail marker.   Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
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About

We have all heard of ghost towns, but ghost camps are a little harder to come by, especially when they don't show up on official trail maps.

A short hike from the River Bend Campsite within San Angelo State Park will lead you down a trail dotted with a couple dozen concrete picnic tables overgrown with cacti. They are covered by rotted wooden awnings, which allow the sunlight to filter through.

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife staff, the campsites were built in 1995 around the time the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leased out 7000+ acres of land around O. C. Fisher Lake, but haven't been used since 2002. There is no information available as to why the campsite has been neglected instead of torn down or refurbished, though it is likely a result of parks department funding issues.

Humans have inhabited this area for at least 18,000 years, beginning with Paleo-American hunters, then the Jumano Indians, then Euro-American people like Spanish explorers and missionaries in the 16th and 17th centuries. No humans occupy the campsite today, but dirt daubers and wasps have happily taken up residence in what is left of the Lower Ghost Camp's restroom.

Also near the camp is a landlocked, cactus-lined boat ramp with no water in sight. And while the days of mammoth Ice Age game are long gone around these parts, be on the lookout for 1,200-pound members of the Texas Official Longhorn Herd who freely roam the park.

Related Tags

Abandoned Ruins

Know Before You Go

Go South on the trail that goes through River Bend Campsites until you see the pipe trail marker for Lower Ghost Camp. Coordinates are approximate.

Community Contributors

Added By

Spencer Darr

Edited By

Molly McBride Jacobson

  • Molly McBride Jacobson

Published

April 28, 2017

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Sources
  • http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/san-angelo/park_history
  • http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/park-information/official-state-longhorn/
  • http://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4506_166b.pdf
  • http://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4506_0166e.pdf
  • https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lower-Ghost-Camp/220485581357777
Lower Ghost Camp
Riverbend Trail
San Angelo State Park
San Angelo, Texas
United States
31.500402, -100.540225
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Blood Lake: the O.C. Fisher Reservoir

San Angelo, Texas

miles away

International Water Lily Garden

San Angelo, Texas

miles away

National WASP WWII Museum

Sweetwater, Texas

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of San Angelo

San Angelo

Texas

Places 3
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Blood Lake: the O.C. Fisher Reservoir

San Angelo, Texas

miles away

International Water Lily Garden

San Angelo, Texas

miles away

National WASP WWII Museum

Sweetwater, Texas

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of San Angelo

San Angelo

Texas

Places 3
Stories 2

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