Bayhorse

Bayhorse is a ghost town in Custer County, Idaho, established in 1877, though serious development of the community didn't take hold until around 1880. Its growth was driven by silver deposits in the surrounding area, and by 1882 the town's smelting operation was producing roughly $300,000 worth of silver in a single year — a remarkable output that fueled rapid expansion.

At its peak in 1885, Bayhorse had reached a population of around 300 people and supported a surprisingly complete range of civic infrastructure: a mill, three stores, a hotel, a restaurant, a meat market, and a lodging house, among other establishments. Like many boom-era mining towns, it eventually quieted, and today it stands as a ghost town.

The site is accessible by passenger car, making it a straightforward destination for travelers curious about Idaho's silver-era past. Visitors can expect a remote high-country setting with historic remnants from the town's working days. Summer and early fall offer the most reliable conditions for a visit, while winter months bring mountain hazards that can make access difficult or impossible.