Entry No. 46 — the Butte file — filed under: ghost town

Granite Ghost Town State Park

Once known as the 'Silver Queen' of Montana, this remote 1890s boomtown was home to the richest silver mine on Earth before collapsing overnight during the silver panic of 1893. Today, the mountain forest has reclaimed the town, leaving behind the impressive stone ruins of the Miners' Union Hall and the well-preserved superintendent's house. Visitors can hike through the quiet, pine-shaded trails to discover scattered foundations and remnants of this historic mining camp.

The move: Drive up the steep mountain road together to hike through the quiet pine forest, photographing the towering stone walls of the Miners' Union Hall and enjoying a picnic among the historic ruins.

📍 Before you go The site is a legally accessible Montana State Park with no entry fee. However, the steep, winding dirt road up the mountain requires a high-clearance vehicle and can be impassable in wet or snowy weather, and visitors must stay out of any fenced-off mine shafts.

• 📍 Philipsburg
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Granite State Park, Philipsburg, MT 59858, USA

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: fwp.mt.gov · visitmt.com

last checked: 2026-07-20