Question:
We are taking a trip from Tacoma Wa. and we are headind for Montana’s Ghost towns for memorial weekend. Any advice for good things to see and bad things to watch out for .
Response:
Bossman, I think you will enjoy the trip. Been to Virginia City twice. Here are a few suggestions. * Near Walla Walla stop by Whitman Mission National Historical Site. Part of Oregon trail history. * Lewiston Id. is nice town. Real nice state park/CG about 4 mi S of town on the river. * Stay on hwy 12 East. Beautiful scenic drive over to Missoula Mt. Hwy runs close to several rivers most of the way. Also some historic sites along the way. Past the summit you will find a number of mountain type CG’s. * East of Missoula and north of Hwy 90 there are several ghost towns. There are decent roads to Garnet. Take Hwy 220 east out of Missoula. It about a 30 mi drive. After parking in the lot it is about a 1/4 mi walk through the woods to reach the town. Worth visiting. At Garnet the road continues on straight S down to Bearmouth on Hwy 90 but I advise NOT to take. It is one lane cow path with some stretches where 10 mph seems fast. * Dear Lodge is nice small town and the old territorial prison and Ford museum is worth the visit. * Just short of Butte take hwy 15 S to Dillion. About 30 mi west and south is Bannack. It is a state park and a great ghost town. It survived until just after WWII. There are 2 small CG’s there along a stream and it cost an additional $4-$5 to stay. There is a lot of history in Bannack. Town includes a gold mine and smelter which can be visited. I think we spent $12 for visiting the town and camping over night. Some years the skeeters will eat you alive. In Dillion I would advise to take on fuel, water and dump holding tanks. There is large farm store (on Hwy just before needing to head W to Bannack) with gas and they have a dumping station and water. No charge. * Head back to Dillion and go N. Take hwy 41 N to Twin Bridges and then S on 287. Before you reach Virginia City, at Aldin, there is a road S to Ruby Reservoir where there is camping permitted $0, dry camp. * Back on Hwy 287 it is about 7 mi E over to Nevada City, ghost town. This is a must see place. Most building are in good condition looking ready to live in. Houses are furnished and stores full of merchandise, All new and of proper time period. Hotel is still open for business plus they have a few miner’s cabins for rent. Don’t miss the 2 story outhouse in back of the Hotel. I think the economy rooms where on the first floor. Ha! * It is another 2-3 mi E to Virginia City. Town is not abandoned. It survives as a tourist town. A lot of the buildings that are empty are filled with items proper for the type of building it is. While in the area go E another 10 mi over to Ennis. It at the junction of hwy 287 and Hwy 287, that’s right, 2 roads with same hwy designation. Interesting small sportsman town. Have a great trip and you will want to go back. Mickey
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