Posted in Montana
April 04, 2017
These 4 Trails In Montana Will Lead You To Extraordinary Ruins
If you live in Montana, a passion for hiking (or at least being outdoors) is a must. We’ve got paths for people of all skill levels, and some of them even come with their very own history lesson. These trails all lead to some of our pieces of the past, so they’re perfect for days when you’re feeling a little adventurous.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
The mile-long loop in Pictograph Cave State Park, which is located near Billings, is marked with information explaining the 100 pictographs, or rock paintings, found there. The park's three main caves - Pictograph, Middle, and Ghost cave - were home to generations of prehistoric hunters. The oldest rock art in the cave is over 2,000 years old.
The path to Coolidge Ghost Town, which is located south of Butte, involves a one-mile walk down an eerie but beautiful forest trail. You’ll see lots of dilapidated buildings as you walk through the woods, and it’s easy to imagine how life used to be in this old mining town.
Garnet Ghost Town is Montana's best-preserved abandoned town. Edward Brook Warren, a civil war vet, built a cabin about a mile and a half from Garnet. He also paved a path from Garnet to his cabin, eventually building a park to encourage visitors. Today you can travel along that trail and walk to Warren Park, enjoying the quiet of the forest and the remnants of the ghost town along the way.
Located high in the East Pioneer Mountains near the ghost town of Glendale, these kilns are over 100 years old. The kilns were used between 1881 and 1900 to reduce 11,665 acres of pine trees down to 19 million bushels of charcoal. To reach the site, you'll follow an old dirt road for about 15 miles and then hike on a trail from the parking lot. The trail is marked with interpretive signs explaining the history of the area.
Do you enjoy hiking in Montana? Each one of these trails is under five miles in length, meaning even beginners can complete them in a day.
