Bannack State Park

About this park

Bannack State Park preserves the site of Montana's first major gold discovery, made on July 28, 1862, and the state's first territorial capital. The town's population passed 3,000 by 1863, and today more than 50 historic log and frame buildings line Main Street. A National Historic Landmark, it is considered Montana's best-preserved ghost town. The 1,529-acre park sits at 5,837 feet and offers 28 campsites, including wall tent sites, hike-in and bike-in options, and a group picnic area, open year-round. Visitors can explore the buildings, take heritage tours, fish, bird watch, bicycle, and photograph the town. A visitor center is open May through September, and ice skating is available December through March when weather allows. Bannack hosts Bannack Days on the third weekend of July and Ghost Walk tours in October, both popular ways to see the town come to life.