Summary
The park is known for its well-preserved ghost town, which was once a bustling mining town during the Gold Rush era. Visitors can explore the abandoned buildings, including a schoolhouse, church, and jail, and learn about the town's history through guided tours and interpretive exhibits.
In addition to the ghost town, Bannack State Park offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to a variety of bird species, as well as deer, elk, and other wildlife. The park also has a visitor center and gift shop, where visitors can purchase souvenirs and learn more about the area's history and natural features.
Some of the specific points of interest at Bannack State Park include the Meade Hotel, which was once one of the town's most luxurious accommodations, the Masonic Lodge, which features intricate stone carvings and a secret room, and the Hangman's Tree, where several criminals were executed during the town's lawless days.
Interesting facts about Bannack State Park include that it was Montana's first territorial capital, and that the town was once home to more than 10,000 people during the height of the Gold Rush. Today, the park sees around 30,000 visitors annually.
The best time of year to visit Bannack State Park is during the summer months, when temperatures are warm and the park is open for camping and other outdoor activities. However, visitors should be prepared for occasional thunderstorms and unpredictable weather conditions.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Bannack State Park
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Bannack State Park Campground
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Barretts Park - USBR
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Clark Canyon Reservoir
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