Entry No. 52 — the Helena file — filed under: ruins

Old Copper Creek Mine

Tucked away near the headwaters of Copper Creek at the base of Red Mountain, the Old Copper Creek Mine (also known as the Copper Camp or Rainy Day Mine) is a relic of Montana's late 19th-century copper rush. Intermittent operations at the site extracted copper, gold, and silver until they permanently ceased around 1971. Today, the area is characterized by overgrown mining roads, old waste rock piles, and sealed adits surrounded by the scenic wilderness of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.

The move: Hike or drive up the scenic Copper Creek Road to the base of Red Mountain, where you can photograph the historic mining scars and enjoy a quiet picnic near the headwaters of Copper Creek.

📍 Before you go Located on public land within the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, the mine ruins can be legally viewed from nearby trails, but entering any abandoned shafts or structures is extremely dangerous and strictly off-limits.

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

Where: Copper Creek Rd, Lincoln, MT 59639, USA

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

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: onxmaps.com · visitmt.com

last checked: 2026-07-20