Entry No. 33 — the Boulder file — filed under: records
Ward Townsite & Derelict Car Collection
Ward was born in 1860 when prospector Calvin Ward struck gold in Boulder County, and the town boomed through silver and gold extraction until a catastrophic fire leveled fifty buildings in 1901. After decades of near-abandonment, the 1960s brought a second life: counterculture refugees from Boulder and beyond moved into derelict mining cabins seeking self-governed, off-grid existence at 9,450 feet. That spirit calcified into the Ward you find today — a tight-knit community of roughly 125 people where decades-spanning hulks of American iron (Plymouth Valiants, Chrysler Newports) and European oddities (Fiats, Morris sedans) rust slowly in the high-altitude sun along the roadside. Locals have long said the cars are left there deliberately to discourage casual outsiders. Wandering among them, it is hard to argue the strategy hasn't worked.
The story
In 1860, prospector Calvin Ward struck gold in the high country northwest of Boulder, triggering a boom that eventually collapsed after a catastrophic 1901 fire leveled fifty buildings. The mines went quiet, but the town refusal to die took a weird turn in the 1960s. Counterculture refugees fled Boulder's rising costs, climbing Left Hand Canyon Drive to claim derelict mining cabins perched at 9,450 feet. They built a self-governed, off-grid community held together by woodsmoke, communal grit, and a sharp skepticism toward outside authority.
That resistance to outside intrusion hardened into the scenery you see along the roadside today. Parked along the narrow unpaved shoulders at the junction of the Peak-to-Peak Highway are decades of slowly disintegrating iron: sun-bleached Plymouth Valiants, massive Chrysler Newports sinking into the pine needles, rusted Fiat 850s, and Morris sedans oxidizing in the thin high-altitude air. Longtime locals will tell you the car collection isn't just an accidental junk heap—it was left there deliberately as a visual deterrent to keep casual sightseers driving right past town.
Whether the strategy was calculated or accidental, it works. Ward remains a tight-knit enclave of roughly 125 residents living in hand-painted cabins where leash laws do not exist and off-grid self-reliance is standard. You didn't hear it from us, but if you park along the public shoulder and respect the line between public roadside curios and private property, you'll glimpse a piece of mountain Colorado that actively refuses to be tamed.
What it's like
Expect a forty-five-minute drive up Left Hand Canyon from Boulder that ends at a high-altitude crossroads where dogs trot off-leash and rusted sedans outnumber the residents. Walking the short main drag feels less like traditional tourism and more like stepping onto someone's front porch unannounced—the vibe is quiet, watchful, and deeply insular. There are no parking fees, ticket kiosks, or gas stations, as the derelict cars sit directly along the public road right-of-way. If you plan to stop at Marrocco's Family Dining on Utica Street for Italian comfort food, call ahead to verify their hours, which are irregular and seasonal. Plan your drive carefully between October and May, when high-altitude snowstorms can render the mountain roads hazardous.
The move: Drive up Left Hand Canyon to Ward, walk the short main drag past rusting sedans and hand-painted cabins, then stop for a meal at Marrocco's Family Dining. The cars make an easy excuse to linger and talk — every hulk has a story to invent together.
📍 Before you go Ward sits at 9,450 feet; snow can close Left Hand Canyon or make the road treacherous October through May. No admission or parking fee — the cars are simply along the public road. The town has no gas station. Marrocco's keeps irregular hours; call ahead. Dogs roam freely off-leash throughout town, as is local custom. Allow 45 minutes driving time from Boulder in good conditions.
- 📍 Ward
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Ward, CO 80481 — Peak-to-Peak Highway (CO-72) at Left Hand Canyon Drive, ~20 miles northwest of Boulder
Hours: Added 2026-06-11 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Gold Hill Historic District (Colorado's First Mining Town) — Contrast Ward's 1960s counterculture decay with Colorado's oldest permanent mountain mining settlement, located just under two miles away via dirt roads.
- Gold Hill Inn — Head over the ridge on unpaved roads to Gold Hill for a six-course meal inside a historic 1920s log tavern.
- Jamestown Mercantile — Drop down into neighboring Jamestown for live music, local brews, and comfort food in an 1896 general store.
- Gold Hill General Store and Pub — Follow the washboard backroads into Gold Hill for a casual beer and sandwich at this historic mining town gathering spot.
Good to know
Is there an admission fee or designated parking lot for the car collection?
No. The derelict vehicles sit along the public roadside right-of-way. There are no admission fees, ticketers, or official parking lots; visitors simply pull off safely along the public shoulder.
Can I get gas or groceries in Ward?
No. Ward has no gas station or convenience store. You should fill your tank and stock up on supplies in Boulder or Lyons before driving up Left Hand Canyon.
What are the road conditions like during winter and spring?
At 9,450 feet, heavy snow and ice can make Left Hand Canyon Drive and the Peak-to-Peak Highway treacherous or temporarily closed from October through May. Always check weather and road reports before heading up.
Can I bring my dog along to explore the town?
You can, but be aware that local dogs roam freely off-leash throughout town as a long-standing local custom. Keep your dog leashed and close to prevent conflicts.
Where can I eat in Ward?
Marrocco's Family Dining at 8 Utica Street offers homemade Italian dishes. Operating hours are irregular and seasonal, so call ahead before relying on it for a meal.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: thirstcolorado.com · tflcar.com · aboutboulder.com · westernmininghistory.com
last checked: 2026-06-11