Bannack State Park
Dillon, MT
The ghost town of Montana’s first territorial capital, founded in the 1862 gold strike, with more than 50 buildings you can walk into. It is reached by a gravel road southwest of Dillon and has a campground.
Bannack State Park near Dillon in southwestern Montana is a ghost town and a National Historic Landmark. Montana’s first major gold discovery was made here on July 28, 1862, and by 1863 the population had grown to over 3,000. In 1864 Bannack briefly served as capital of Montana Territory before the seat moved to Virginia City.
More than 50 historic log and frame buildings line Main Street. The town’s history is linked to Sheriff Henry Plummer, who was hanged here without a trial in January 1864; historians still dispute what the gang attributed to him really looked like. Bannack has been part of Montana’s state parks since 1954.
For road-trippers: the campground has 28 sites and is open all year, with drinking water in summer only; reservations are made online through Montana State Parks. The Bannack Days festival is usually held on the third weekend of July, and the Ghost Walk takes place in late October with required reservations (October 23 and 24 in 2026; check dates for future years in advance).
- Nearest town
- Dillon, MT
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 45.1611, -112.9956
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
© Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Montana’s gold rush trail: Virginia City, Bannack and Big Hole
© Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Gold-rush towns, hot springs and the valley of ten thousand haystacks – by camper through the Bitterroot Valley, the Big Hole and over the Pintler Route
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Horse Prairie CampgroundCampsite13 mi from Bannack State ParkTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsFree
- Cameahwait CampgroundCampsite13 mi from Bannack State ParkTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsFree
- West Cameahwait CampgroundCampsite13 mi from Bannack State ParkTentsCaravansToiletsFree
- Beaverhead CampgroundCampsite13 mi from Bannack State ParkTentsCaravansToilets
- Lone Tree CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Bannack State ParkDrinking waterFree
- Grasshopper CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Bannack State ParkCaravansDrinking waterToilets
All campsites in Montana · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Bannack State Park?
Bannack State Park is in Dillon, MT, at GPS 45.1611, -112.9956. It is about 23 mi from Crystal Park.
Can you camp near Bannack State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Bannack State Park Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 16 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Bannack State Park?
Bannack State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Montana’s gold rush trail: Virginia City, Bannack and Big Hole and Gold-rush towns, hot springs and the valley of ten thousand haystacks – by camper through the Bitterroot Valley, the Big Hole and over the Pintler Route.
What is there to see near Bannack State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Big Hole National Battlefield (46 mi), Nevada City (51 mi), Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park (72 mi) and Harriman State Park (95 mi).
When is the best time to visit Bannack State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)