Bannack Road (Grasshopper Creek)

The road to Bannack State Park follows the historic route along Grasshopper Creek where prospectors found Montana’s first major gold strike in 1862. This 25-mile dirt and gravel track branches off Highway 278 south of Dillon, winding through sagebrush flats and rolling hills that haven’t changed much since the boom days. The route passes old mining claims and crosses several creek beds before reaching the preserved ghost town of Bannack, where weathered wooden buildings stand frozen in time. Sheriff Henry Plummer’s gallows still cast shadows over Main Street, and you can almost hear the whispers of vigilante justice in the wind.

This is an easy run suitable for any high-clearance vehicle, though spring mud and winter snow can make it impassable. The road sees minimal maintenance, so expect washboard sections and a few rocky patches, especially after thunderstorms. No permits required, and dispersed camping is allowed along the route with proper distance from water sources. Best tackled April through October when conditions are most reliable. Bring extra water and fuel—Bannack sits in genuine middle-of-nowhere country. What you’ll find is solitude, history, and one of Montana’s best-preserved mining camps waiting at trail’s end.