Ghost Walks Return to Historic Bannack State Park for Halloween Season

BANNACK — When darkness falls over one of Montana’s most historic ghost towns, the past comes alive in ways both spine-tingling and surprisingly humorous.

Bannack State Park will host its annual Ghost Walks event on October 24 and 25, bringing visitors face-to-face with the spirits of the Old West through live historical reenactments in the abandoned mining town.

“Did you hear about the guy who didn’t pay his exorcist? He was repossessed,” goes one of the ghost jokes visitors can expect to hear during the nighttime tours.

The setting amplifies the eerie atmosphere: a western ghost town in the middle of nowhere, illuminated only by flickering lanterns and bonfires as costumed reenactors portray the town’s most notorious former residents.

Infamous Sheriff’s Dark Legacy

One of the event’s most compelling stories centers on Henry Plummer, arguably Bannack’s most infamous historical figure. The convicted outlaw arrived in the gold rush town and successfully ran for sheriff in 1863, despite his criminal background.

“Less than a year later, he was hanged, along with two deputies, for allegedly leading a group of outlaws, self-named the Innocents, who robbed stagecoaches and killed more than 100 people during an eight-month reign of terror,” according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks materials about the event.

The Ghost Walks resurrect such tales from Bannack’s violent early days, when the town’s gravediggers stayed busy burying victims of gunshots, accidents, and infectious diseases that plagued frontier life.

Historic Mining Town Setting

Founded in 1862 following the discovery of gold in Grasshopper Creek, Bannack briefly served as Montana Territory’s first capital. The boom town’s population swelled to over 3,000 residents at its peak, but the gold played out within a few years, leaving behind the preserved buildings that now make up the state park.

The same historic buildings that hosted living history demonstrations during July’s popular Bannack Days event will serve as the backdrop for these spookier autumn performances, offering visitors a different perspective on the town’s notorious past.

The Ghost Walks take advantage of this authentic Wild West setting, with reenactors portraying “the ghosts of rogues and wretches from the town’s early days,” bringing local history to life through theatrical performances.

Tickets for the October 24 and 25 Ghost Walks are available through the Montana State Parks reservation system.

Camping Reservation Changes

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks also reminded visitors that campsite reservations at state parks end on September 20. After that date, camping will be available on a first-come, first-served basis through the fall and winter months, though parks remain open year-round.