Bannack to Dillon Back Country Byway
Ghost town to modern town via mining country
This designated Back Country Byway links Bannack State Park—Montana’s best-preserved ghost town and first territorial capital—to Dillon via 50 miles of high desert country that time forgot. The route follows old freight roads through the Grasshopper Valley and past abandoned Argenta, where silver miners once pulled millions from the surrounding hills. Rattlesnake Creek crossing and the climb over Bannack Pass test your rig’s cooling system, while the descent into Horse Prairie offers views clear to the Continental Divide and the Beaverhead Mountains.
Easy to moderate difficulty makes this accessible to most high-clearance vehicles, though summer heat and dust are real considerations in this sagebrush country. Spring brings wildflowers and cooler temperatures, while fall offers crisp air and hunting season crowds. No services exist for the entire route, so fuel up in Dillon and carry water—this is rattlesnake and mountain lion country. The reward is a genuine taste of Montana’s mining heritage and some of the state’s most undeveloped country, plus the chance to camp under skies unmarked by light pollution.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 50 mi / 80.5 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7200 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Nearest town | Dillon, Montana |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need 4WD or will a high-clearance 2WD truck handle this?
High-clearance 2WD is the stated minimum and is genuinely sufficient in dry conditions — the dirt and gravel surface is well-graded for a scenic byway. If it's been raining hard or you're hitting it early in the season with soft ground, 4WD helps but isn't mandatory.
When does the road typically open and close each year?
Best window is May through October. Snow and mud can make sections impassable outside that range, and there's no guarantee of plowing or maintenance when conditions turn.
Do I need a permit to drive the byway or camp along it?
No permit required to drive the route. Bannack State Park at the western end charges a day-use fee if you're stopping to walk the ghost town — check current Montana State Parks rates before you go. Dispersed camping on BLM land along the route is free and requires no permit.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
Nothing on this trail is technical — it's rated easy for a reason. The most demanding stretch is around the higher elevation sections near 7,200 feet where the road narrows and gets washboardy after wet weather. Slow down, aired-down tires aren't necessary but they'll make the washboard less punishing.
There's no cell service — how far is the nearest gas from the route?
Dillon is your fuel stop — tank up there before heading west toward Bannack. The route is 50 miles of zero services, no cell, no bailout options mid-route, so a full tank and at least one recovery strap are non-negotiable.
Trail track
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