Bring your camera and your courage to travel the steep, winding road to capture the remnants of this once thriving 1890s silver boomtown.
About the Park
Granite Ghost Town State Park showcases remnants of this once thriving 1890s silver boomtown that bears stark witness to Montana's boom-and-bust mining history. Hector Horton first discovered silver in the general area in 1865. In the autumn of 1872 the Granite mine was discovered by a prospector named Holland. The mine was relocated in 1875. This was the richest silver mine on the earth, and it might never have been discovered if a telegram from the east hadn't been delayed. The miner's backers thought the venture was hopeless and ordered an end to its operation, but since that message was delayed the miners worked on and the last blast on the last shift uncovered a bonanza, which yielded $40,000,000.
In the silver panic of 1893, word came to shut the mine down. The mine was deserted for three years, never again would it reach the population it once had of 3,000 miners.
Today there is no one living in the camp. The state park preserves the Granite Mine Superintendent's house and ruins of the old miners' Union Hall which have been included in the Historic American Buildings Survey.
The road from Philipsburg to Granite gains 1,280 feet in elevation. The road is narrow, steep and winding. Be prepared to pull over for oncoming traffic and enjoy the vistas.
Activities
Heritage
History
Photography
Wildlife Viewing
Amenities
Some amenities are seasonal. Check with the park for availability.
Pack-in/Pack-out
Seasons & Hours
Hours listed below are normal operating hours and may not apply when there is a special restriction or closure. Check Alerts and Closures in the tab below.
NOTE: High-clearance vehicle necessary to access Granite. This site is not accessible by RV or bus.
Restrictions and Closures
See a current list of Restrictions and Closures on State Parks and other FWP lands that may be affected by floods, fire, drought or major maintenance activities.
Volunteer
Contact the park manager for open volunteer positions at Granite Ghost Town State Park.
For complete position descriptions, application forms, and details about Montana State Parks volunteer programs, visit the Volunteers page.
Fees
Montana Residents
Montana residents who pay the $9 state parks fee with their annual vehicle registration have no daily entrance fees to state parks. For residents who don't include this in their vehicle registration, non-resident day use fees apply.
Nonresidents
Day use entrance fee with a vehicle: $8
Day use entrance fee as a walk-in, bicycle or bus passenger: $4
With a Nonresident Entrance Pass: Free
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Granite Ghost Town State Park
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
PO Box 489
Whitehall, MT 59759
Tom Forwood manages Lost Creek, Anaconda Smoke Stack and Granite Ghost Town state parks and is also Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Assistant Manager. Tom started at the Caverns in 1999 as a Tour Guide, worked at Missouri Headwaters State Park as a Park Ranger and has been at the Caverns as Park Ranger since 2003. Tom is well known for his interpretive skills and extensive knowledge of natural resources. He brings extensive experience in overall park operations, visitor services, interpretation, and resource protection.
CONTACT INFO Mailing Address:
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
PO Box 489
Whitehall, MT 59759
