Top 5 Rust Car Tours: Reviews & Recommendations

Alright, so you want to get out and see some seriously decaying metal? These tours of rusting cars offer, actually, a weirdly interesting way to see some history and snap some cool pics. Very different from your usual sightseeing spots, they give you a close look at how time, the elements, and maybe some bad luck change vehicles into rusty relics. If that sounds good to you, take a look at my breakdown of five spots worth checking out.

1. Calico Ghost Town’s Car Cemetery, California

First on the list is Calico Ghost Town in California. Originally a silver mining town from way back in the 1880s, Calico has, anyway, become a tourist spot with a bunch of old buildings and attractions. However, something kinda hidden and really interesting, anyway, is its car cemetery. This is a spot where old, rusting cars and trucks sit, some in pieces and some more or less complete, giving you a peek at the town’s earlier days. So, it’s a really cool photo op with a side of historical vibes.

Now, the Calico car cemetery isn’t super official; that is, there aren’t many signs or big announcements pointing you that way. That said, the vibe of seeing those vintage vehicles just sitting there, rusting away in the desert sun, adds, clearly, to the ghost town’s character. You will get to wander around, snap some pictures, and sort of think about the stories these rides could tell if they could talk. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Calico Ghost Town)

Read our full review: Calico Ghost Town Full Review and Details

2. Redneck Acres, Black Mountain, NC

Then there’s Redneck Acres near Black Mountain, North Carolina. Run by artist Braeden Daniels, this isn’t, perhaps, your average tourist spot. Instead, it’s actually his outdoor art project. The deal is, he places old cars, trucks, and other metal stuff around his property, turning it into a crazy, quirky roadside attraction. So, if you’re into photography or just like seeing weird stuff, this is absolutely the place.

When you show up at Redneck Acres, expect more or less a kind of relaxed and informal visit. Braeden has actually been putting his spin on the land for years, mixing nature with all this decaying metal in ways that are both wild and oddly thoughtful. People have actually described it as visiting an art museum that happens to be spread out all over the hills of North Carolina. He might greet you himself and give you the lowdown on what he’s trying to do with his artwork. If you like unique art experiences, this is, in a way, pretty memorable. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Redneck Acres)

Read our full review: Redneck Acres Full Review and Details

3. The Old Car City USA, White, Georgia

Heading down to White, Georgia, we’ve got Old Car City USA, which is seriously a classic. Covering more than 34 acres, this spot has actually become home to thousands of old cars, dating back to as early as the 1930s. What started as a family business buying and selling auto parts transformed, really, into a popular destination for photographers, artists, and anyone into cool old rides.

What sets Old Car City USA apart is really just how nature has taken over the vehicles. Trees grow through car bodies, vines cover hoods, and moss adds these unexpected textures, creating this post-apocalyptic atmosphere that, basically, feels more like an outdoor art exhibit than your standard junkyard. So bring a camera. This place has stories layered on top of stories and rust on top of rust. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Old Car City USA)

Read our full review: Old Car City USA Full Review and Details

4. International Mud Bog, Coos Bay, OR

For something that is a bit different, you should check out the International Mud Bog in Coos Bay, Oregon. Though it is more focused on mud racing than still rotting vehicles, there’s this certain charm in seeing these beaten-up cars and trucks actually being pushed to their absolute limits. So, while it isn’t, maybe, a static display, it provides action.

At the International Mud Bog, the atmosphere is like, loud, kinda wild, and really fun. People gather to watch drivers thrash their vehicles through super thick mud pits, which leads to some impressive (and often destructive) displays of horsepower. The vehicles used are commonly older models or modified in pretty creative ways, adding some character to the chaos. You will also see them get stuck, break down, and be towed out—and this is absolutely part of the show. It might be, arguably, better for thrill-seekers than history buffs. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (International Mud Bog)

Read our full review: International Mud Bog Full Review and Details

5. Abandoned mining vehicles, Gilman, CO

Finally, you can go exploring around Gilman, Colorado. Gilman is really a completely abandoned mining town, and among all the other cool (but kinda dangerous) structures, you can find old vehicles that miners simply left behind many years ago. It is, clearly, a unique and kinda eerie way to see history.

However, when you visit Gilman, keep in mind it’s, actually, not a maintained tourist destination. The structures can be dangerous, so it is really better to look from a distance. The experience involves this, basically, untouched view of what life was like in this spot during its mining days. This town’s story is visually captured through the vehicles and things people left behind. Anyway, it makes for this super memorable, somewhat somber look at Colorado’s past, with the warning to be aware and careful. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Abandoned mining vehicles Gilman)

Read our full review: Abandoned mining vehicles Gilman Full Review and Details