Welcome to Bannack

Bannack was founded in 1862 when John White discovered gold on Grasshopper Creek. As news of the gold strike spread many prospectors and businessmen rushed to Bannack hoping to strike it rich. In 1864, Bannack was named as the first Territorial Capital of Montana. Remaining in Bannack for only a short time, the Capital moved on to Virginia City.

Bannack State Park Hours

• From daylight saving time, in March, through Memorial Day the Town Site is open from 8:00am to 5:00 pm.
• Memorial Day through Labor Day the Town Site is open from 8:00am to 9:00pm.
• From the first week of September until the third week of October the Town Site is open from 8:00am until 5:00 pm.
• From the third week of October through daylight saving time in March the Town Site is open from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Visitor Center Hours:

• In May, the Visitor Center is open from 11:00am to 5:00pm on weekends only, or by appointment.
• From the end of May to September, the Visitor Center is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm, seven days a week.
• In October, the Visitor Center is open from 11:00am to 5:00pm on weekends only, or by appointment.

Park Fees

• The park fee is charged per vehicle if the vehicle has Montana license plates the park is free.
• The park fee for out of state vehicles is $6 per vehicle.

Photo: By U.S. Department of the Interior - Scenic Montana, CC BY-SA 2.0,http://https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45410345