Montana’s Smallest State Park Is One Of The Greatest

Montana is one of the best states to visit during the summer. There are endless opportunities for adventure and there's plenty to explore. If you're trying to avoid popular hot spots like Yellowstone National Park, you need to travel off-the-beaten path. Here's why Montana's smallest State Park is a must-visit!

Montana's Smallest State Park is Truly a Hidden Gem

The smallest State Park in Montana may be less than an acre, but you should never judge a state park by its size. You can step back in time, and explore what's left of one of the state's most well-preserved ghost towns, Elkhorn State Park. The town was founded in 1872 during Montana's mining boom in the late 19th century. At one point, the mine was producing an estimated $30,000 in ore per month.

Elkhorn State Park provides fascinating examples of frontier architecture. There are only two buildings within the park, the historic Fraternity Hall and Gillian Hall. To get there, you will need to travel the backroads of Montana through the Elkhorn Mountains, located within the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. For directions, click here.

A visit to Elkhorn State Park allows you to imagine the dreams and struggles of those who carved a life out of the rugged Montana landscape. Elkhorn isn't just about mining; it's a testament to human resilience, the pursuit of opportunity, and the fleeting nature of prosperity.

Exploring the Historic Ghost Towns in Montana

Montana is full of interesting ghost towns, and a couple of them are also State Parks. Bannock and Garnet are two of the most popular in the state. Here's a list of the top 5 according to Tripadvisor.  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.