Thistle

Thistle is a ghost town tucked into Spanish Fork Canyon in the southeastern corner of Utah County. Its story is built around the railroad: for years, the town thrived by servicing steam locomotives for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, and its fate was essentially tied to the health of that industry. When diesel locomotives replaced steam, the need for the services Thistle provided disappeared, and the town steadily faded.

Visitors today will find a quiet canyon setting and the remnants of a community that once had a clear purpose. Access is straightforward by passenger car, making it an easy stop for anyone curious about Utah's railroad history and the towns that rose and fell alongside it.