Overview

Historic Virginia City, Montana is a colorful pioneer mining camp that has been preserved since the late 1800s, now a National Historic Landmark and open air museum.

Location/Directions

Virginia City is in the Rocky Mountains of southwest Montana, only 85 miles west of West Yellowstone, Montana on Highway 287.

Seasons

Virginia City has both year-round residents and many summer residents and is accessible all year, but the best time to visit is in the spring, summer and fall months.

More Info

It was in May of 1863 that a group of prospectors, traveling to the Yellowstone River, discovered gold in the area. Virginia City sprung up and became a boomtown within weeks.

In the 1940s, Charles and Sue Bovey saw the town and its disrepair and embarked on a mission to save it. Thanks to their efforts, Virginia City is one of the best-preserved gold mining towns in the country.

Here you can see more than 100 historic buildings where earlier miners mingled with their peers. Half of the current three hundred structures in the town were built before 1900. Many display informational plaques that teach you of the history of the area. There’s even a 1910 refurbished steam locomotive that will take you to Nevada City and back.

Activities exist for those of all ages. There’s plenty of entertainment and even history demonstrations that thrill the whole family.