
Photo: Mark Holloway from Anaconda, Montana, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.
Bannack State Park
721 Bannack Rd · Dillon, MT
Why you should go…
Bannack is the site of Montana's first major gold discovery, made on July 28, 1862, and it briefly served as the territorial capital in 1864. Today it is a state park and National Historic Landmark where more than 50 log and frame buildings line Main Street, and most of the old structures can be explored. You can also camp, fish and bike here, and in winter people skate on the frozen dredge pond. Bannack Days, held each July, brings re-enactors and historic displays.
- #ghost town
- #state park
- #gold rush history
- #national historic landmark
- #camping
Good to know
General sightseeing guidance
Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.
The forecast is part of the ticket
Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.
Golden hour sells out first
Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.
Dress a layer warmer
It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.
Timed entry is common
Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.