Thanks to its rich mining history, Montana has quite a few ghost towns that are still available to explore. But while our more popular deserted spots like Bannack and Garnet are well-preserved, the old mining town of Comet is slowly being reclaimed by nature… and it’s pretty cool to see.

Comet is located about 20 miles southwest of Helena.

Mattia Panciroli / Flickr You can find it by following High Ore Road north from Interstate 15.

The remains of the town are spread over about 35 acres.

Mattia Panciroli / Flickr The buildings range from an ore processing building, several other company buildings, and a few private houses.

The town was named after the Comet Mine, which which was developed in 1883 by the Helena and Livingston Smelting and Reduction Company.

Scott Wagner / Flickr Gold was discovered here in 1874. The operation shut down in 1897, but it was revived in 1900 by a copper company. But in 1941, the mine was exhausted and operations were permanently shut down.

At one time, the mine here was the richest mine in the district, producing $20 million in ore.

Mark Holloway / Flickr That’s 10 times more than the nearest mine, which produced $2 million.

These days, the town is completely abandoned except for one single active resident.

Mark Holloway / Flickr Although it’s on private grazing land, the ghost town itself is open to the public.

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Mattia Panciroli / Flickr

You can find it by following High Ore Road north from Interstate 15.

Mattia Panciroli / Flickr

The buildings range from an ore processing building, several other company buildings, and a few private houses.

Scott Wagner / Flickr

Gold was discovered here in 1874. The operation shut down in 1897, but it was revived in 1900 by a copper company. But in 1941, the mine was exhausted and operations were permanently shut down.

Mark Holloway / Flickr

That’s 10 times more than the nearest mine, which produced $2 million.

Although it’s on private grazing land, the ghost town itself is open to the public.

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