This weekend is the time to head over to Bannack State Park to help celebrate the annual ‘Bannack Days’ special event. This year marks the “Sesquicentennial” 150th Anniversary of discovering gold and founding of Bannack! You will get to take part in the old west coming back to life with fun activities for all ages! There will be performances by reenactors, crafts for the kids and you can pan for gold with plenty of food and drinks.
“This will be the biggest and best Bannack Days yet,” said Chas Van Genderen, Administrator for Montana State Parks. “We are excited to see families out having fun and celebrating Montana’s heritage at this great state park.”
Mainstreet Bannack in 1865
What is Bannack State Park?
- Bannack is Montana’s best preserved ghost town and the first territorial capital of Montana.
- It is the site of the first major gold discovery on July 28, 1862 ever made in Montana.
- Bannack then became one of Montana’s State Parks in 1954, where now 21,500+ people visit during their summer vacations according to last summers totals.
- 50+ original buildings are still standing and an amazing sight to see.
Where is Bannack State Park?
- Bannack State Park is located 25 miles southwest of Dillon, four miles off of highway 278.
- CLICK HERE to view Bannack State Park on a map.
‘Bannack Days’ Events Schedule
Saturday, July 21
- 7am –10am – Breakfast at Hotel Meade
- 9am – 5pm – Horse and wagon rides, shootout re-enactments, gold panning, candle making, and black powder shooting demonstrations, cowboy poetry, old time music, an 1800s surveying demonstration, celebration of pioneer life: mountain men camp, chuck wagon cooking, the Great Debate on women’s suffrage and an 1800s U.S. Cavalry camp.
Sunday, July 22
- 7am –10am – Breakfast at Hotel Meade
- 9am – 4:30pm – Horse and wagon rides, shootout re-enactments, gold panning, candle making, and black powder shooting demonstrations, cowboy poetry, old time music, an 1800s surveying demonstration, celebration of pioneer life: mountain men camp, chuck wagon cooking, the Great Debate on women’s suffrage and an 1800s U.S. Cavalry camp.
- 9am and 10:30am – old time church services.
- 2pm – stagecoach hold up demonstration
Important Information and Recommendations
Visiting on Sunday is your best bet if you are trying to beat the crowds.
Parking is Limited, Carpooling is the way to go.
Please do not bring your pets or light up your cigarettes in Bannack town site.
Vendors are only able to accept cash and checks (not credit or debit cards)
There is a special event fee of $5 per car to help cover the cost of this event. This fee will apply to resident and non-resident vehicles.
Visit Montana State Parks (stateparks.mt.gov) and enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, boating and more and discover some of the greatest natural and cultural treasures on earth.
Have you entered the Twisted Tea Fishing Photo Contest? Click Here to Enter!
