Old Montana Ghost Towns You Can Still Explore Today

Someone said that Montana has more ghost towns than actual towns.

I'm not sure if that's true, but I know that Montana is home to over 100 Ghost Towns, and several are available for tours and exploring. Not only is it a cool look into the past, but it's also a chance to learn some Montana history as well as honor those who came before us that helped make this state "the last best place".

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I'm in awe of those pioneers who left everything they knew to venture out west and try to make a better life for themselves and their families. The strength that took is hard to find today, and while some were successful, many weren't.

As the weather warms up, many folks will be looking to get out and explore Big Sky Country, so why not check out one of Montana's many Ghost Towns?

The Treasure State has several options, with some of the more popular Ghost Towns being Bannack and Garnet.

Bannack State Park near Dillon receives thousands of visitors each year, and with several well-preserved buildings, is one of the most popular Ghost Towns in America. Bannack has a rich history, literally. It was the first major gold discovery in the state and was also the first capital of the Montana territory.

Garnet, which is just outside of Missoula, is considered the most complete Ghost Town in Montana as far as preservation goes and was named "one of the coolest Ghost Towns in the country" by Travel + Leisure.

Oh, and if it's history you love, you have to check out Virginia City along with Nevada City. While technically not Ghost Towns, they are both a perfect peek back into the "Golden" Days of Montana.  Nevada City has been restored and is a living historical museum, with folks acting out what life in Montana was like back in the 1800s.

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