The Abandoned Ghost Town of Henson Colorado is Near a Broken Dam

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.

Today we are headed down Colorado County Road 20 from Lake City to the townsite of Henson. This mining community first found gold here in 1871.

Get our free mobile app

Where is the Ghost Town of Henson, Colorado?

The Colorado Alpine Backcountry Byway loops around the mining communities between Lake City, Silverton, and Ouray. County Road 20 is only open from May to October/November. The site is about a 164-mile trip from Grand Junction, Colorado. We will include a map in the photo gallery below.

Both Henson and Henson Creek are Named After the One of the Areas First Settlers

Henry Henson was the first settler to find gold in the area of the Henson townsite. He is the namesake of the town and the creek that winds around the town. Once gold was discovered here, people began to show up in droves and by 1973, both the Ute-Ulay and Hidden Treasure mines also began operations here.

Henson Creek Dam Sits Downstream from Henson, Colorado

In an effort to protect nearby Lake City from floods a dam was built over Henson Creek in the early 1900s. Old photos of the construction can be seen here. A portion of the dam collapsed in the early 1970s. Since then several adjustments have been made to the dams in the area to keep them from collapsing. Scroll through the photos below for a closer look.

The Abandoned Ghost Town of Henson Colorado Sits Near a Broken Dam

The Colorado ghost town of Henson sits along the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway near Lake City. Several structures from the many mining communities in the area are still standing, along with the ruins of the old hydroelectric dam over Henson Creek.

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.

Animas Forks is One of Colorado's Oldest Mining Settlements in the San Juan Mountains

The Alpine Loop through the San Juan Mountains is a really cool place to explore during Colorado's summer months. Several scenic hiking trails and winding back roads lead to historic ghost towns and mining sites like the one in Animas Forks.

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.

MORE: Why You Should Not Wander the Colorado Ghost Town of Nevadaville

The roads near Central City Colorado provide some incredible scenery, but one wrong turn and you'll end up near a few abandoned town sites from Colorado's mining era. The ghost town of Nevadaville can still be seen today, but visiting comes with a few risks you should know about.

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.

Filed Under: Colorado, Colorado Ghost Towns

Categories: Colorado News, Colorado Outdoors