2020-18 Salmon Idaho to Bannack Ghost town & Dillon Montana

2020-18

Salmon Idaho to Montana
Bannack Ghost Town

good roads, gradual climb through mountain pass

the roads have actually been in great condition through
Idaho and into Montana.

Campground: Shoup Bridge Campground. Salmon Idaho. $5.00. Senior rate: $2.50. Small campground, about 8 sites, two of which are actually in the parking lot. Paved. Water available. BLM. Fair Verizon reception.

Shoup Bridge Campground. Salmon Idaho. 

Campground: Bannack State park. Bannack Ghost town. Campground cost includes entrance fee and campsite: $28.00 non resident rate. Most sites are reservations required. I got one of the 4/5 open sites. Right next to a nice river/stream. Grassy site, some trees. Water available. No cell reception.

Note: the most I’ve paid for a campsite all summer.

Bannack State park. Bannack Ghost town. Campground 

Campground: Lone Tree. On Clark Canyon Reservoir. 20 miles of Dillion MT. Free. Well water available. Covered picnic tables, fire pit with grill. Views of lake. Grassy sites. 14 day limit. Good Verizon signal.

 Lone Tree. On Clark Canyon Reservoir.

Free, BLR, Lone Tree

Salmon Idaho.

Completing my drive along hwy 93, a scenic byway through Idaho, spending a few days in the Salmon Idaho area. Observing the locals from around the country and in particular smaller towns, I’ve notice most don’t bother to wear face coverings. This is also heavy republican country where they feel their rights are being challenged by having to wear a mask. Just my observation, but we will not get out of this pandemic unless the entire country complies with this simple rule. Wear a face covering, wash hands frequently.

In any case, Salmon is a nice small town with enough services to fill most needs, though no major stores or chain restaurants. I counted at least 5 shops that sell guns and a large store selling ammo. There are a few museums including the Sacajawea interpretive center. Lewis and Clark, with Sacajawea’s help passed through this area on their way to the west coast surveying the entire country along the way.

Salmon Idaho, The Owl Nightclub

FEDEX store, beautifully painted and tons of flowers

next to BLM campsite, outside of Salmon Idaho

Distance Traveled: 119 miles
Bannack State park, Ghost Town.

Bannack, a Ghost Town, Montana

Thanks to a fellow traveler, Gail Hanley, for sharing info on this site. I had added it to my summer travels. This making the 4^th ghost town I’ve been able to explore in recent weeks. Bannack was originally had gold and silver mining and was the 1^st territorial capital for Montana. A fair number of buildings have been maintained. This is one of the many ghost towns where we are permitted to walk through a number of the buildings, which becomes boring after only going through a couple, as they are empty, devoid of artifacts, furnishings or very little information as to who lived there. Though I was given a fairly good booklet with some information, which does help reconstruct what life would have been like in this far off outpost. They do provide a walking tour daily, but with the current pandemic I would not feel comfortable walking around with a “group” of tourists.

originally a courthouse, then a hotel

what awesome scenery all around

little zippy taking me around 

mostly just torn wallpaper on every wall.

a few people still lived here until 1972

Still, it was nice to walk around, occasionally avoiding a small crowd of fellow tourists. The buildings being spread out along a long and wide dirt main road. Giving everyone plenty of space to explore, roam between buildings and enjoy wonderful mountain views and fresh air.

Dillon Montana
Just down the road a piece

Then it was down the road to Dillon Montana. A very nice size town, that was having a new yearly downtown event, with the usual craft tents, food etc. Something I’ve avoided during this trip. Still amazed that they are having such events, and from what I can tell, they are less congested then in the past, but still, no one being careful or using face coverings.

I did drive over to Clark’s Lookout State Park, right on the edge of town. This is a spot that Clark, from the Lewis and Clark expedition used to view the entire region. And what a grand view it is. Getting his bearings before continuing the expedition heading to the Pacific coast. It’s nice to be able to touch a piece history in the making of our country. A nice large compass made of granite is on the lookout site. Designed after the compass Clark carried on the journey west. A nice tribute.

 Clark’s Lookout State Park

almost felt like a kid again climbing
around and on top of all the rocks

Backing up a bit:

Crossing over from Idaho into Montana on hwy 43 heading to Bannack, I passed by the Nez Perce National Historic Park. I didn’t stop as I’m not a big fan of checking out battle fields. Though it is all a part of our history and I do go to some of the sites on occasion. Once I got to Bannack and talked to one of the camphosts, she described how the U.S. Army battled the Nez Perce tribe for the land in the area. The Nez Perce were a very peaceful tribe and why the Army felt it necessary to slaughter the Indian tribe, well, I guess you’d have to go to battle field and find out. I did notice on their website that the site is also set aside for “First Amendment Activities” and are welcome here. Two locations having been set aside for these activities.

scenes from along the roadside

Montana, wide open space

Montana, what views.

rest stop on top of a pass, before crossing
from Idaho into Montana
great roads, gradual elevation rise

Heading about 20 miles south of Dillon Montana on Interstate 15, I’ve stopped at the Clark Canyon Reservoir, for some free camping on the southern end of the lake. What a nice setup. The road leading in, although paved is in bad condition and when I got to my campsite at Lone Tree campground, I discovered I had a flat tire. To make a long story short, I called Progressive Insurance who dispatched a service truck (3 hours later). Come to find out I had a bad valve stem. Which was quickly replaced, tire re-installed and I was good to go. But since I’m already at a great campsite, I plan on staying for a few days.

views around Lone Tree campsite, free couldn't be better

old boat launch on southern end of lake

well water at campsite

The sunset last night was stunning. Appearing to stretch out like a super wide screen presentation wrapping around the entire lake with a low mountain range. A narrow band of clouds matching the mountains. The clouds turning pink, rosy red to deep red, with reflections against the water. A sight to stir the heart and soul.

More photos:

Salmon Idaho

Bannack Ghost Town, State park, Montana

Bayhorse Ghost Town, Idaho