Bannack State Park in Montana, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-26. Check linked official notices before travel.

Bannack State Park preserves a former gold-mining town near Dillon in southwestern Montana. More than 50 buildings remain along Main Street, making the townsite the center of a visit. Come for historic streets and interpretation, then decide whether to add camping or a seasonal program rather than assuming tours run throughout the year.

Walk through a surviving mining town

• Main Street: Historic log and frame buildings show the town that grew after the 1862 gold discovery.
• Guided interpretation: Summer tours begin at the visitor center when offered.
• Seasonal programs: Bannack Days brings historic demonstrations in July, while winter skating depends on pond conditions.

Plan for the season

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Treat winter activities as conditional

Call before coming to skate; the pond’s status can change daily. Dress for cold weather and use the skating area only when the park has opened it. In the townsite, respect barriers and posted access restrictions instead of assuming every historic structure is available to enter.

Preserve the townsite

Do not remove or damage historic objects, buildings, or natural features. Keep pets on a leash no longer than 8 feet unless a stricter rule is posted, remove their waste, and keep them out of public buildings. Camp only in designated areas and follow current fire restrictions. The state park rules explain these requirements.

Camping and event arrangements

Use the camping reservation link on the official park page to select a site and check its current price. Call the reservation line at 1-855-922-6768 if you need help. Contact staff for a group visit or special event; a Special Use or Commercial Use permit may be required. Do not assume day admission includes a ticketed evening program.

Find the townsite near Dillon

FWP lists 721 Bannack Road, Dillon, MT 59725 as its mailing address. Download the official campground map to locate the camping areas and their services. Use FWP’s park-location information to plan your arrival at the townsite. Plan around the townsite gate schedule even if you have an authorized overnight reservation.

Nearby parks

• Clark’s Lookout State Park: This small historic park is off Highway 91 just north of Dillon. Its published season is April 1–November 30, so check dates before adding the stop.
• Beaverhead Rock State Park: This historic landmark lies off Montana Highway 41 north of Dillon. Viewing it from a distance is an option; check conditions before approaching on the park road, which has no winter maintenance.

Build the visit around the townsite

Walk Main Street and compare the surviving log and frame buildings. During the summer tour season, start at the visitor center to ask what interpretation is available that day. Bannack Days normally takes place on the third weekend in July; check the event calendar for the next program. Winter skating is a separate, weather-dependent activity and should not be the sole reason for traveling without first checking conditions.

Visitor center and overnight facilities

The park provides a visitor center, gift shop, picnic shelter, toilets, and a campground with tent and RV options as well as a wall tent. Some services are seasonal, especially drinking water. Bring a water supply for an off-season stay and ask staff about the exact facility or route you need if access requirements affect your plan.

Gold, settlement, and preservation

From the 1862 discovery to a historic landmark

A major gold discovery on July 28, 1862 brought rapid growth to Bannack. The town became Montana’s first territorial capital, then declined as the mining economy changed. Today the state park is also a National Historic Landmark, and preservation work aims to retain its historic character rather than recreate a newly built frontier town.

Grasshopper Creek’s living landscape

Grasshopper Creek runs through the park and connects with the Beaverhead River. A 2024 state fisheries assessment documents brown trout and brook trout in the creek and explains work proposed to protect fish habitat from historic mine-tailings sediment. That conservation context is separate from the town’s preserved buildings.

Contact Bannack State Park

Call 406-834-3413 or email [email protected] for current hours, tours, skating conditions, and facility questions. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks manages the park.