In addition to spectacular natural beauty, Montana is known for having a penchant for the peculiar. With the state’s history of Copper Kings, trying hardships and rowdy residents, it’s no surprise that many of Southwest Montana’s ghost towns and historic places tell tales of lingering souls. Whether you are a thrill seeker, ghost hunter or history buff, you’ll love this list of spooky sites and tours.
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Download Map of Haunted PlacesExplore Southwest Montana's Haunted Places:
Haunted Place
Paranormal Tours
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Copper Village Museum & Arts Center
Anaconda, MT
The Copper Village Museum & Arts Center, once the City Hall, fire station and jail, has a unique history dating back to the late 1800s when it was built by Marcus Daly. This free museum is registered on the list of National Register of Historic Places and is said to be haunted by dozens of spirits roaming the grounds.
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Gunslinger Gulch
Anaconda, MT
This 1800s-era ghost town turned guest ranch contains 19 buildings, including an old church, where the current family lives. Paranormal activity occurs so frequently the Travel Channel’s Ghost Town Terror created a series to investigate. Lodging reservations required.
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Harp Pub & Celtic House Inn
Anaconda, MT
Built in 1888, this two-story building housed many businesses over the years—including a brothel and pool hall—and was once owned by Oscar Carlson. Oscar set fire to the building in 1949, determined to be its final owner, before killing himself in the basement. But the fire was quickly extinguished and now, years later, the building operates as a popular pub and inn—as well as a permanent domain for Oscar’s tortured soul. Ask anyone who visits or works there—it’s still Oscar’s place and he isn’t afraid to make some noise to prove it.
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Bannack State Park Ghost Town
Bannack, MT
Come walk the deserted streets of Bannack, one of America’s best-preserved ghost towns, and discover for yourself the way the West really was. Bannack is unique—it is preserved, rather than exploited. Visit the Hotel Meade where the ghost of a girl named Dorothy Dunne resides after drowning in a nearby pond in 1916. Although the hotel was closed in the 1940s, adventurous people visit the building in search of spirits.
Bannack Town Site | Photo Credit: Rick & Suzie Graetz
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Cabbage Patch
Butte, MT
The Cabbage Patch district was home to those left behind in Butte’s mining boom—many of whom were widows, orphans, and miners who could no longer work. Crime and mysterious disappearances were commonplace, so it’s no surprise this old shantytown is haunted today. Call ahead for open times.
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Clark Chateau
Butte, MT
This gothic building was built by W.A. Clark for his oldest son Charles. For decades many of Butte’s notables lived in the mansion along with the Shriners. When you visit, you’ll understand why locals claim the mansion is haunted. Old money, elusive societies, perfectly intact 1800s furniture—take a tour or host an event to experience the chateau’s lively spirits yourself.
Clark Chateau - Butte, Montana | Photo Credit: Donnie Sexton
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Myra Brothel and Hotel
Butte, MT
Ned and Mary Owen leased the top floor of Tony’s Tin Shop from the Canonica family from 1926 to 1929, advertising it as a hotel when in fact it was a brothel. Ned Owen died an excruciating death in 1927 from Prohibition-era alcohol poisoning. Both Ned and Mary’s spirits frequent the Myra along with the notoriously violent Lucian Pippen, the “Mad Greek.” Paranormal experiences include shadowy figures, laughing children, the smell of smoking cigars, and women calling out for “Rosie.” See website for available tours.
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Butte-Silver Bow Courthouse
Butte, MT
Miner Miles Fuller was convicted of murder and hung on the courthouse grounds in 1904. His death is said to be the quickest death by hanging in Montana. Sightings of Fuller’s spirit have a long history in and around the building constructed after his death. Pay a visit to this magnificent four-story building in Beaux Arts style with its large stained glass dome to see if you can catch a glimpse of Fuller yourself.
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Elks Lodge
Butte, MT
This fraternal organization once hosted lavish balls and grand events, as was the case with many social spaces in Butte’s history. A mysterious past involving expensive parties, and lodging quarters frequented by local and traveling members, has left behind stories verified through EVPs of disembodied voices, conversations and dancing. Not for the faint of heart.
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Dumas Brothel
Butte, MT
Located in the former red-light district, the Dumas Brothel once shined with elegant decor and entertainment for all classes of society. The spirit of Eleanor Knott, the broken-hearted madam who committed suicide on the top floor, inhabits the space. Joining Eleanor are other spirits, making the building one of the most haunted under the Big Sky. The Dumas has been featured in over 12 paranormal and documentary films including “Ghosts of the Devil’s Perch.” Seasonal; call ahead for hours.
Dumas Brothel - Butte, Montana
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Grant-Kohrs Ranch
Deer Lodge, MT
Visit this National Historic Landmark that is still running as a 19th-century cattle ranch. Its Wild West history includes several ghostly encounters, palpable once you witness the wide-open space for yourself.
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The Metlen Hotel
Dillon, MT
This hotel was a popular stop for businessmen and outlaws in the 1800s. Ghost sightings are common, and the top floor has been mysteriously off limits for three decades. History tours are available on Thursday and Friday evenings—call for a reservation.
The Metlen Hotel – Dillon, Montana
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Garnet Ghost Town
Drummond, MT
Take a trip to Garnet Ghost Town, the most intact ghost town in Montana, with more than 30 buildings. For spooky experiences, visit Kelly’s Saloon to hear eerie laughter from spirits who have never left, or visit the Old Wells Hotel, where caretakers report hearing mysterious footsteps and shutting doors. Seasonal.
Garnet Ghost Town | Photo Credit: Tempest Technologies
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Benton Avenue Cemetery
Helena, MT
Take a walk around the grounds of the Benton Avenue Cemetery in Helena. Established in 1870 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this cemetery has locals telling of paranormal activity and ghost sightings. Be on the lookout for the young girl in a yellow dress.
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Grandstreet Theatre
Helena, MT
This haunted theatre is nationally renowned and even included in Haunted Places: The National Directory. After Clara Bicknell’s untimely death in 1905, the former teacher has made her presence known to students, actors and patrons.
Grandstreet Theatre - Helena, Montana
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Reeder’s Alley
Helena, MT
Situated in the southwest corner of downtown Helena, the alley represents the oldest intact piece of early Helena. One of the buildings, masked as a quaint aviary, was actually the clandestine storage for moonshine in the 1920s. “Buying canaries” was the go-to answer when officers inquired about the lines of people outside the door. Multiple reports of paranormal experiences have been recorded, including birds chirping and the rushing of wings.
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Windbag Saloon
Helena, MT
Enjoy a meal at the purportedly haunted Windbag Saloon—where the madam “Big Dorothy” Baker ran her “Dorothy’s Rooms” upstairs—and visitors claim to hear mysterious sounds, smell perfume and see apparitions of a cowboy.
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Marysville Ghost Town
Marysville, MT
Head north from Helena to Marysville, an unincorporated ghost town in Lewis and Clark County. Take a stroll through the nearly barren streets and see if you can hear what the locals claim to hear—an echo of ringing gunshots, said to originate from the murder of a family more than a century ago.
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Philipsburg Theatre
Philipsburg, MT
See a show at Montana’s oldest operating theatre, or take a tour and learn about its origin story and eerie spirit encounters over the years. Be sure to ask about the theatre’s paranormal conferences and ongoing investigations of the haunted space.
Philipsburg Opera House Theatre | Photo Credit: Tempest Technologies
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Virginia City
Virginia City, MT
The frenzied energy of the gold rush produced a spirited history in Virginia City! Check out Elling House, where the spirit of Mary Elling is purported to keep watch over her beloved ballroom. Book a room at the Bonanza Inn—the former hospital for the Sisters of Charity—to see if the black-robed Sister Irene, who kept watch over sick miners, shows herself to you. Seasonal.
Virginia City, Boot Hill Cemetery | Photo Credit: Rick & Suzie Graetz
Paranormal Tours
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Spooks & Spirits
Butte, MT
Although miners flocked to the area in search of gold, copper was king in Butte. Private walking tours with local historians are available year-round, and seasonal trolley tours can be booked in the fall. All tours explore history and verified hauntings in the “Mining City.” Seasonal.
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World Museum of Mining | Underground Mine Tour
Butte, MT
Stretching beneath the earth in the mining tunnels of the Orphan Girl Mine is where the ghostly apparitions of fallen miners appear to those who decide to visit. Seasonal.
World Museum of Mining | Photo Credit: Jessica Scanlon
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Old Prison Museum
Deer Lodge, MT
From 1871 to 1979, more than 200 men took their last breaths within the walls of the Montana Territorial Prison, where it is said the dead are not at rest. You do not have to see a ghost, or hear a sound, to feel eerie and spooked. Seasonal.
Old Prison Museum - Deer Lodge, Montana | Photo Credit: Eric Bunting
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Virginia City Ghost Walks
Virginia City, MT
Meet at the Bale of Hay Saloon at 8:30 p.m. to see the haunted side of Virginia City on this 1-hour walking tour. Tours typically run from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
