Garnet, human settlement in Montana, United States of America

Garnet is a ghost town in Montana situated in the mountains within a valley called First Chance Gulch. Many original wooden buildings remain today, including miners' cabins, stores, and other structures that reflect the town's appearance during its years as an active mining settlement.

The town emerged in the 1890s as miners came to the area seeking gold, and the population quickly grew to around 1000 residents. Decline began as gold deposits were exhausted and a fire in 1912 destroyed many buildings, prompting most inhabitants to leave.

Garnet was first called Mitchell and took its present name in 1897, after the garnet stone found before gold was discovered. Its saloons carried nicknames: Ole Dahl's Dahl Saloon was also known as Ole's and "The Joint". Garnet Day is held each year on the third Saturday, and Mary Jane Adams Morin, the town's oldest living member, returned every year to visit.

The site is accessible from Missoula and sits about 11 miles from a main highway junction. The drive over Garnet Range Road takes you on mountain roads; be aware that large vehicles or RVs are not suitable for these routes.

Garnet's oldest living former resident, Mary Jane Adams Morin, returned every year to visit the town she had known. The site holds 82 contributing buildings, 46 structures and 56 sites across 134 acres, listed as the Garnet Historic District in 2010. Around 16,000 people visit each year.