Garnet Ghost Town

About Garnet Ghost Town

One thousand people called Garnet home in the 1890s as they scoured the mountains for gold. Largely abandoned 20 years later when the gold ran out, today the town is well-preserved and offers a glimpse into the struggles of those early miners and homesteaders. The visitor center has information about 19th century life here. Two rental cabins are available December through April; arrangements need to be made in advance by calling the Missoula Field Office BLM. Depending on weather, the visitor center is open daily from late May through September from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.

How to Get There

From State Highway 200, about 30 miles east of Missoula, turn south between mile markers 22 and 23. Follow signs for 10 miles to Garnet. From Interstate 90, take either the Drummond or Bearmouth exit and follow old U.S. 10 to the Bear Gulch Road. Follow signs up Bear Gulch for 11 miles to Garnet. This route is steep, narrow and rough. It is not recommended for trailers or RVs. Winter access from either direction is only by snowmobile, snow shoes, or cross-country skis.

Plan Your Visit to Garnet Ghost Town

Heading to Garnet Ghost Town? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)