Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed Camping

Because we didn’t have wifi and I forgot to print the info, we drove too far. We did go up the very steep paved road for about 9 miles and then it turns to dirt. Problem was that almost all of the side roads are gated and too narrow for us to turn around with our large rig on this very busy road. We were amazed at the number of cars, trucks and trailers on this road in late September. When we got to the coordinates where someone had said you could pull through one end and pull out the other, we decided against and later discovered we were grateful we didn’t try, when we drove it in our truck. There were only two trailer sites and one was already taken. To get to the next we would have hit the top of our trailer and seriously scrapped the sides. The only rigs that could possibly do it would be campers and vans. As for Coloma, that was where we were finally able to turn around. Did not check that road out.

Next feat, was going down that long steep hill. What no one tells you is that at times, thank goodness you are on pavement, the grade is +10% and other parts are 8%-9%. We have a 28’ trailer, bumper-towed by a 2500 diesel truck. We are ones who prefer to stay off the brakes. We put it in “tow haul” mode, diesel brake on, in manual 1st gear. Still couldn’t keep our speed in check, had to use more brakes then we preferred.

We were surprised at the number of trailers who hauled their trailers up to the ghost town, just to see it, and then turned around and left. If we had to do it again or someone asked us, we would suggest dropping your trailer at the bottom and not ruin brakes and bump along the pot-holed, wash-board road.

We we turned around we went back to the bottom of the road and camped in the pull off area, as mentioned by a previous post, behind the piston bully used to grooming the road in the winter. It was a bit noisy with all the vehicles going up and down, but it settled down late at night. We parked at 46.88473, -113.46367.

As stated in a previous post, after turning off of Hwy 200 onto Garnet Range Road, you'll pass a parking lot on your left. Past that you’ll come around the bend, but before heading up the hill there is this wide dirt parking area on your right. Don’t take the road there because as we found out the hard way, another gated road. But on your right is a little loop in the trees and tucked in there.

I have Verizon and essentially no service, sometimes in the morning one bar would pop up for a few seconds and then nothing. My husband has t-mobile and he had one steady bar of LTE and was able to get email and texts.

We've stayed here a few times now. When you cross the cattle guard you'll pass a parking lot on your left. Past that you'll see one of the first BLM signs for Garnet. As you come around the bend heading up the hill there is this wide dirt parking area at 46.8849237, -113.4631847. Immediately to the right is a little loop in the trees, we've seen many camped in this area before and to the right of that is a dirt road leads down to an open area before the road comes to a gate.  We've seen campers down in there too. I'd check that out before you try though, not an easy turn around for a trailer but seen small Class A's in there.

You'll hear the traffic from Rt 200 at this location but lots of deer and cowies. We got 1 very anemic Verizon bar, it's what they're best at, but got this review to post with it. Only 25 minutes to Missoula. Garnet Ghost town is up the road but the pavement ends about 9 miles in. The last 3-4 miles of dirt road has it's washboard spots but don't they all.

Came here 8/02/2021. Sadly the main road was closed due to fires. There was another side road in.. A little rough and thru the fallen tree area. Took my 94 g2500 thru therr and half way in there was a giant tree in the middle of the road :( at least it was am adventurous drive! Beautiful drive up and would def try to come back here again when it isnt fire season 😁😁😁

What a wonderful experience! Read previous reviews. We drove in and out via 200 like someone suggested. We scored the only nice level site with a fire ring we saw off the road to Coloma. There were just a few bugs, but less of them once we started our fire. We saw a handful of people looking for sites after we arrived around 5 pm. The ghost town was surprisingly busy. There is a “no camping” sign by the parking lot to the ghost town, but one RV was parked and the owners looked pretty comfortable. We didn’t ask to stay there, but that could be an option.

We woke up to mooing! Beef cattle eyed us for some time before moving on. The bull scratched himself on the pine tree by the RV until he decided we weren’t a threat. We enjoyed walking up the trail behind our site. Another class C motor home pulled up as we were packing up. We told them we were leaving as they went to scout around for a site.

Beautiful pine forest with the deadfall all cleaned out. We had shade in the evening and in the morning. We found prairie fire and mountain lupine blooming along with several other lovely flowers in late June.

You can get to Garnet, the ghost town, from the north (off 200) or south (off 90). If you have a choice, I recommend coming from and leaving towards the north. We came in from the south and left to the north. There is a $3 fee per person to visit the ghost town itself (which is interesting). There is no camping within half a mile of the town, incl around the parking lot, but there is a nice day use picnic area with vault toilets, water, tables, and fire rings.

The last two miles of the road from 90 are rough and narrow. You probably don't need high clearance, but I would recommend 4wd. There are no opportunities for camping to the south of Garnet (in fact, some of the owners of the adjacent properties are very keen on letting you know that you are not welcome on their land, and that you are being watched by their hidden cameras; it has a creepily paranoid feel, and I was a little afraid of taking a wrong turn).

The road north of Garnet is an easy gravel road with plenty of turnouts for camping. If you go towards Elk Creek you will find even more (and more quiet) ones. If you have a tent, there are some grassy turnouts before mile 3 or so. For just a car/small RV, the best site might be a scenic overview turnout close to Garnet, which even has a picknick table.

There were no mosquitos, and there wasn't a single car on the road towards Elk Creek all night.

A ways off I-90, I took a steep, winding and rough road about 45 minutes up Bear Gulch until I reached Garnet Ghost town. Garnet can also be reached from Highway 200, this route is more accessible to large vehicles or trailers.

There is no camping within 1/2 mile of the Ghost Town, but up the road there are many turn-outs for camping. I found a lovely spot with a great view to the north.

The Ghost town is also interesting to see- the fee is $3.00.

The 10 mile, uphill road, was rough but manageable in our Ford Focus. There are signs saying “no trailers or busses”. I would agree with these signs. There are steep roads and cliffs, tight turns, and very loose rocks and timber.

The camping sites are right off the big parking lot. The toilets are new and clean (hardly used). There is also many little roads up there where I believe you can disperse more freely?

Entrance to the Garnet ghost town is free NOW, usually costs $3 per person age 17+. Due to Covid, this location is stalked with toilet paper, pamphlets about trails and the town, but it is not being manned or taken care of to “CDC standards” according to the signs.

No one was up there on a Friday night. It was beautiful, quiet, spacious, and the air was fresh. Would stay again.

i arrived at garnet ghost town at dusk and it was the perfect time to hike down and check everything out. there is a small fee, i think $3. there is a lot of free tent or car camping but not many spot for RVs. i ended up parking right near the hosts in the RV and bus parking section for people visiting the ghost town. it worked out for the night and i woke up to about 15 deer right outside my rig. so it was a good experience. no AT&T cell service. i would highly recommend this spot.