Bannack State Park•Montana

Touring the old wild west ghost towns is a good way to step back in time and learn something about the historical past first hand. Photographs of a ghost town sure do create interest, but the glossy pictures do not always convey the ominous feelings that are experienced when visiting in person. Every community has character, but a ghost town takes it one step further. The paranormal realm does come into play and this certainly can add intrigue, especially on a dreary day.  

Bannack, Montana is a place where the ghosts of the past still walk the streets. This is one of the most famous ghost towns in the entire west and Bannack actually predates the nearby ghost towns of Nevada City and Virginia City. The history of those two neighboring Montana ghost towns is directly connected to Bannack and it all started at cozy little spot in this vast wilderness called Grasshopper Creek. 

Grasshopper Creek is where rich gold placer deposits were discovered in 1862. When the word got out, the Montana gold rush officially got underway and wagonloads of prospectors soon arrived. Simple equipment was all that was needed to get the placer gold out of the ground and later a dredge made the job more productive. Grasshopper Creek was basically a rustic mountain man's gold camp and as the wealth was quickly earned, the town of Bannack was established onsite. Bannack eventually came into its own as the premier commerce center for this unsettled territory. This region was lawless and bandits ran rampant since this region was actually indigenous territory and statehood was not yet established.

Upon arrival, the cemetery is the first site to experience at Bannack State Park. This plot was constructed back in the 1870s and it replaced the original graveyard that was located next to the gallows, where many Road Agent outlaws met their fate. Some classy looking gravestones are mixed in with old markers that have long since faded away. There are plenty of history's mysteries awaiting to ponder over at this old west cemetery. 

Touring Grasshopper Creek will provide some insight into the old time gold dredging methods and there are several information placards to peruse. A developed campground is nearby and it is best to make reservations during the peak season. The visitor center is located at the old town entrance gate and purchasing a guidebook is recommended. The local Park Rangers provide insight into the history of Bannack and a lot can be learned before stepping through the gate. 

Bannack definitely is one of the best preserved ghost towns in the entire west. All it takes is opening the old wooden gate to experience the old wild west first hand. Bannack also presents an opportunity to escape from the modern world and the learning experience can be likened to reliving history. Picturing exactly how things once were is easy to do in this well preserved community. 

There are all kinds of ghost towns out west that range from cheesy tourist traps loaded with all sorts of modern gimmicks to long gone abandoned settlements where only traces of the foundations remain. It is very rare to find a ghost town that actually has the original wooden buildings intact and it is even rarer to find such a thing in a harsh environment like Montana. Bannack is one of the few ghost towns that has old wooden buildings that are in good condition and visitors are encouraged to experience each site inside and out.  

Bannack State Park is open year round, but the visitor center is only open for the peak tourist seasons when this region is not frozen over. For photographers that can brave the harsh Montana winter, Bannack offers an opportunity to capture one of a kind pristine winter photos of an old west ghost town. Warm weather photos of Bannack are something to be cherished too, so be sure to tote a camera while touring this ghost town on foot.

Bannack State Park is a walking tour that can add up to a couple of miles, but the dirt road and plank sidewalks are smooth enough for those who have mobility challenges. Entering the old buildings is just like entering old houses, but there is no need to knock because nobody is home! The doors are unlocked and visitors are welcome to take a look around inside. Each old historic building in Bannack has a story to tell, so be sure to set plenty of time aside for doing the grand tour.

The main street area is lengthy and it goes all the way out to the ranch houses by the mountains. There are some hillside buildings and old mining cabins to check out too. Some of the buildings have artifacts on display and the old saloon even has a piano waiting just beyond the swinging doors. The tables and chairs sit vacant by dusty windows waiting for someone to come home and the old brown wall paper is peeling off the plastered walls. There are fancy staircases and rooms that have not been booked for many years in the old hotel. As far as ghostly creepiness goes, the Masonic Temple School House definitely takes the cake, because the exterior looks like a classic horror movie set and this is a very eerie building to explore inside!  

Bannack State Park is a good place to learn a little something about Montana history in person. This state park sponsors all sorts of summer and fall season guest activities from gold panning adventures to guided ghost hunter walks, so it is best to look at the park event calendar when planning a tour. Nevada City and Virginia City are two more famous ghost towns that are nearby, so a fulfilling old west tour can be done in this part of Montana. By far, old historic Bannack is the star of the show, so be sure to set plenty of time aside for touring this famous wild west ghost town!