35 Mysterious Abandoned Places Around the World You Can Still Visit

19. Garnet, Montana, USA: A Gold Rush Relic

High in the mountains of western Montana, surrounded by dense forests and rugged terrain, lies Garnet—a ghost town with a rich Wild West legacy. Founded in the 1890s during the last major Montana gold rush, Garnet grew rapidly as miners flooded the area in search of fortune. With over 1,000 residents, the town featured saloons, hotels, general stores, and even an official dance hall, all powered by the hope of gold-laced prosperity. However, when the gold began to run dry and a devastating fire swept through in 1912, many residents left in search of better opportunities elsewhere. By the 1940s, Garnet was virtually abandoned. Unlike many ghost towns, however, Garnet has remained remarkably well-preserved, thanks in part to its remote location and protective conservation efforts. Today, visitors can walk through restored cabins, peek inside the saloon, and experience firsthand what life was like for frontier families chasing the American dream in a rugged wilderness.