You’ll find Montana’s ghost towns buzzing with annual events that bring history to life. Garnet celebrates its mining past every June with Garnet Day, featuring prospecting reenactments and saloon scenes. Bannack State Park hosts July’s Bannack Days Festival with gold panning and gunfights, plus a September Living History Weekend. Red Lodge offers spine-tingling October events including ghost tours and haunted coal mine experiences. Butte’s September Ghost Town Preservation Society convention connects you with heritage advocates through trolley tours and museum visits. Discover exactly when and where these unforgettable experiences await.
Key Takeaways
- Garnet Ghost Town hosts Garnet Day every June with mining reenactments, saloon scenes, and Miners Union Hall dances celebrating 1898 prospecting history.
- Bannack State Park holds Bannack Days Festival in July featuring blacksmithing, gold panning, gunfights, and a September Living History Weekend.
- Butte’s Ghost Town Preservation Society hosts an annual September convention with archive access, trolley tours, and heritage preservation activities.
- Red Lodge offers October haunted heritage events including Dead Lodge Ghost Tour, haunted house experiences, and Day of the Dead celebrations.
- Virginia City provides seasonal horse-drawn ghost wagon rides and paranormal investigations through historic gold rush-era streets and buildings.
Garnet Ghost Town’s Annual Celebration of Mining Heritage
Nestled 35 miles northeast of Missoula in the Garnet Mountain Range, Garnet Ghost Town stands as Montana’s most intact remnant of the gold rush era, where over two dozen weathered buildings have remarkably survived a century without foundations.
Over two dozen century-old buildings stand without foundations in Montana’s best-preserved gold rush ghost town.
You’ll experience authentic Western history at Garnet Day, held annually each June, where mining reenactments transport you back to the boom years of 1898 when 1,000 prospectors sought their fortune.
Community festivities recreate the vibrant atmosphere that once filled thirteen saloons, four stores, and the bustling Miners Union Hall—where Saturday night dances packed crowds into its historic walls. The town’s rich history produced $950,000 to $1,400,000 in gold by 1917, testimony to the productive veins that drew miners to these remote mountains.
The last full-time resident passed away in 1947, marking the end of Garnet’s era as an inhabited settlement.
With 24,000 annual visitors giving it 4.5-star ratings, you’re free to explore this living monument to rugged independence, open seven days weekly from May through September.
Bannack State Park’s Historic Gold Rush Festivals
Twenty-five miles southwest of Dillon off Highway 278, Bannack State Park preserves the birthplace of Montana’s gold fever—where prospectors struck pay dirt on July 28, 1862, and transformed an empty valley into the territory’s first capital with 10,000 fortune-seekers.
Each July, you’ll experience authentic gold rush culture at Bannack Days Festival, where the third weekend brings pioneer life roaring back. Watch blacksmiths forge iron, try panning for gold in Grasshopper Creek, and witness dramatic gunfight reenactments along Main Street’s original buildings.
Horse-drawn wagons carry you through living history while artisans demonstrate 1860s crafts.
The festival runs Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-4:30pm, with special admission just $5. You’ll explore over 50 preserved structures in Montana’s best-maintained ghost town, camping available for extended freedom. In September, Living History Weekend offers another immersive experience showcasing period demonstrations and historical interpretation. The park sits at approximately 6,000 feet elevation with minimal shade, so bring sunscreen and sunglasses for comfortable exploration.
Butte’s Ghost Town Preservation Society Convention
The 2025 convention (September 11-13) offers unprecedented access to Butte’s authentic culture:
- Tour the Community Archives and explore stories of Butte’s pioneering women.
- Experience the Mai Wah Museum showcasing Chinese immigrant contributions.
- Join the Spooks & Spirits trolley tour through historic downtown.
- Engage with local residents who’ll share firsthand knowledge you won’t find online.
- Explore the Butte Farmers’ Market during morning free time before guided afternoon tours begin.
This isn’t passive tourism—it’s active community engagement where you’ll connect with fellow preservation advocates while supporting financial assistance programs that protect Montana’s vanishing ghost towns. Your membership and contributions directly support preservation projects and help raise awareness about the historical significance of these sites.
Red Lodge’s Haunted Museum and Coal Mine Events
While Butte celebrates preservation through academic convention, Red Lodge offers hands-on thrills with its spine-tingling October events at the Carbon County Historical Society & Museum.
Red Lodge transforms historical preservation into heart-pounding entertainment with interactive haunted experiences at the Carbon County Historical Society & Museum.
You’ll kick off the supernatural investigations with the Dead Lodge Ghost Tour on October 10, where Red Lodge Paranormal guides you through the town’s haunted history.
The excitement builds toward October 30’s Night at the Museum Haunted House ($5 admission, 6-8 PM), exploring eerie coal mine depths filled with spirits and gremlins.
Your kids get free entry on Halloween night (October 31, 4-6 PM).
For those seeking a more intense experience, the museum offers paranormal equipment use during specialized ghost-hunting investigations at $50 per person with advance booking required.
Cap off the festivities at November 1’s Day of the Dead Party ($5, 6-9 PM). Party Rock Emo provides live music while attendees can add loved ones’ photos to the memorial altar and enjoy face painting.
Located at 224 Broadway Ave N., these annual events connect you with Red Lodge’s authentic mining heritage while delivering genuine chills.
Southwest Montana’s Guided Ghost Tours and Haunted History
Southwest Montana’s haunted legacy comes alive through immersive ghost tours that blend spine-chilling encounters with authentic Wild West history. You’ll discover supernatural phenomena at every turn, from Butte’s two-hour historically verified haunting expeditions to Virginia City’s horse-drawn wagon ghost rides through 1860s streets. These adventures let you explore haunted folklore on your own terms.
Experience Montana’s Most Haunted Locations:
- Old Montana Prison: Investigate paranormal activity from 8:00pm to 2:00am with professional equipment, accessing the Death Tower and Upper Tier Cells.
- Garnet Ghost Town: Hear phantom piano music and mysterious voices at Kelly’s Saloon in this 130-year-old mining settlement. This preserved historic site features 30 remnants from a gold rush era that once housed nearly 1,000 residents.
- Virginia City’s Elling House: Witness unexplained shattering windows and peeling wallpaper.
- Bannack State Park: Wander among 50+ preserved buildings where 1862 gold rush spirits still roam.
- Spooks and Spirits Haunted Tours: Book an appointment-only interactive experience in Butte’s Mining City, where guides lead small to large groups through historically verified haunted locations under the Big Sky.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pets Allowed at Ghost Town Events in Montana?
Pet policy details aren’t explicitly listed in Montana’s ghost town event regulations. You’ll want to contact event organizers directly before bringing your furry friend along. Don’t let uncertainty hold you back—reach out and plan your adventure today!
What Accommodations Are Available Near Montana’s Ghost Town Event Locations?
You’ll find downtown hotels, historic B&Bs, and on-site lodgings at Montana’s ghost town events! Explore local dining options in nearby towns, or embrace adventure at outdoor camping sites for an authentic Old West experience under starlit skies.
Are the Ghost Town Events Wheelchair Accessible?
You’ll find wheelchair limitations at most Montana ghost town events due to rugged terrain and historic structures. However, some venues are making accessibility improvements—contact organizers directly before visiting to discuss your specific needs and available accommodations.
Can I Take Photographs Inside the Historic Buildings During Events?
Historic photography policies aren’t explicitly documented, so you’ll need to contact event organizers directly about interior shooting. Event rules vary by location, but most ghost towns welcome photographers—just confirm permissions beforehand to capture those authentic moments freely!
What Weather Conditions Typically Occur During Montana Ghost Town Events?
You’ll experience significant climate variations across Montana’s ghost town events! Seasonal impacts range from October’s 30-50°F temperatures requiring layers, to June’s perfect mild conditions, plus spring’s unpredictable patterns and winter’s freezing temperatures for ice skating adventures.
References
- https://www.gallatinhistorymuseum.org/events-1/2025/10/30/gallows-graves-ghost-towns-amp-other-ghastly-tales-1
- https://www.missoulaevents.com/06/14/2025/garnet-day/
- https://www.carboncountyhistory.com/events
- https://www.montanahauntedhouses.com/montana-paranormal-events.aspx
- https://www.mgtps.org/events
- https://visitmt.com/things-to-do/ghost-towns
- https://southwestmt.com/blog/haunted-encounters/
- https://southwestmt.com/ghosts/events/
- https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/bannack-state-park
- https://southwestmt.com/specialfeatures/this-is-montana/special-places/garnet-ghost-town/
