Entry No. 36 — the Missoula file — filed under: outdoor-weird

Garnet Ghost Town

Montana's best-preserved ghost town sits high in the Garnet Range, with around 30 weathered buildings standing much as they did in 1895. The miners cared more about the gold underground than the structures above, so most cabins and the saloon were thrown up fast without foundations and now lean at odd angles. A BLM visitor center and gift shop operates inside one of the old buildings, and self-guided history trails wind through the townsite. In winter the access road closes to vehicles and you ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile in.

The move: Drive up the gravel byway on a clear summer morning, pay the $10 day pass, and spend a couple hours peering into the leaning saloon and miners' cabins before a tailgate picnic at the trailhead.

📍 Before you go Visitor center open daily roughly late May-Sept, 10:00am-4:30pm, weather permitting; $10/person day pass (free under 16) via recreation.gov. Vehicles allowed on the road May 1-Dec 15; winter access is ski/snowshoe/snowmobile only.

• 📍 Garnet Range (east of Missoula)
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Garnet Range Rd, Drummond/Missoula area, MT (BLM Missoula Field Office)

Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-24