Garnet Recreation Management Area
Take a step into Montana's past and visit one of the best-preserved gold mining towns in the country. In 1898, over 1,000 people called Garnet their home. More than 100 years later, the town remains frozen in time. Come explore over a dozen historic buildings, view mines that once yielded tons of precious metals, and learn about those pioneers who risked everything to find their fortunes.
Garnet Ghost Town offers scenic hiking and mountain bike trails, self-guided history tours, and a visitor center/gift shop.
From January to May, roads to Garnet are closed to wheeled vehicles and serves snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers as a National Winter Recreation Trail. Two historic cabins are available for rent during the winter.
Garnet is a remote site located at about 6,000 feet above sea level. All access roads can be rough and are minimally maintained. RVs and travel trailers, low clearance and oversized vehicles should only use the Garnet Range Road off highway 200. Access from Interstate 90 should only be attempted by high-clearance vehicles with 4-wheel drive.
The day pass is only good for the day purchased and only permits the entry of one adult. Children under the age of 16 enter for free.
If you do not wish to purchase the day use pass in advance, passes can be purchased on-site with cash or using Scan & Pay Once on-site, follow the posted Scan & Pay instructions. You will need to download the free Recreation.gov mobile app pr ior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. For more information about paying on-site, click here: How Do I Use a Scan & Pay QR Code to Purchase an Activity Pass?
Dogs are allowed on-site, but not inside the historic buildings. Please clean up after your pets.
Drinking water is available year-round. There is no cell coverage.
If purchasing onsite, please have the Recreation.gov app downloaded prior to arrival. Once purchased please write down confirmation number on provided envelope and post in vehicle dashboard. Passes can also be purchased with cash onsite.
This pass does not guarantee parking availability. For your safety, please remember that parking outside of designated areas is discouraged and visitors who park illegally may be fined and towed. This pass is valid until 11:59 PM of the date listed on the pass, and only for the date and vehicle specified for this pass.
Passes are non-transferrable between visitors, non-refundable, not replaceable if lost or stolen, and are void if altered or reproduced.
America the Beautiful Passes: Senior, Access, Military, Gold Star, Veteran, and Golden Age Senior/Access area accepted at this site. These passes cover fees for the passholder and up to three adults.
For more information, please contact the BLM Missoula Field Office at (406) 329-3914