The Kings Hill Scenic Byway is a 71-mile stretch of US Highway 89 that passes through the Lewis and Clark National Forest and Little Belt Mountains. You’ll see wildlife, campgrounds, and the tiny communities of Neihart and Monarch. And if you turn left onto Hughesville Road, drive east for about 12 miles, and then take a walk through the woods, you’ll come to a deserted mining district known as Barker-Hughesville.

The Little Belts are filled with old mines and deep history, and the Barker and Hughesville mining district is no exception.

Marion Patterson / Flickr Silver was first found in Galena Creek by two different men in the fall of 1879. They grew two mining camps, named for E.A. (Buck) Barker and Patrick Hughes.

Word spread quickly about the silver in the area, and Barker eventually had a mill, bunkhouses, a cemetery, and a boarding house.

Matt Lavin / Flickr Eventually, the Montana Central Railroad completed a branch line to Barker.

But during the Silver Panic of 1893, many silver mines suffered, and after changing ownership a few times, the mining camps closed down during the Great Depression.

Josh Schwartzman / Flickr The equipment and railroad tracks were sold for salvage.

To reach the Oti Park Trailhead, which will take you to the deserted area, take Highway 89 to Monarch (pictured here).

Pattys-photos / Flickr Turn east on Hughesville Road and drive 10 miles to the intersection with Grey Creek Road. Follow Grey Creek Road to Oti Park Road until you find the trailhead.

Here’s where things get a little eerie: This trail is considered the most haunted hike in Montana.

Bill Strong / Flickr This area is beautiful and certainly doesn’t look creepy. But many a hiker has reported hearing the sound of horses and men being whipped, and some have even seen apparitions of miners. The majority of the paranormal activity happens near the old cemetery at Hughesville.

But whether or not any ghosts join you on your adventure, seeing the remains of the old mining town is pretty great.

david / Flickr Montana is full of abandoned mines and ghost towns, and since it’s so vast, there may even be a few we have yet to discover.

 

Marion Patterson / Flickr

Silver was first found in Galena Creek by two different men in the fall of 1879. They grew two mining camps, named for E.A. (Buck) Barker and Patrick Hughes.

Matt Lavin / Flickr

Eventually, the Montana Central Railroad completed a branch line to Barker.

Josh Schwartzman / Flickr

The equipment and railroad tracks were sold for salvage.

Pattys-photos / Flickr

Turn east on Hughesville Road and drive 10 miles to the intersection with Grey Creek Road. Follow Grey Creek Road to Oti Park Road until you find the trailhead.

Bill Strong / Flickr

This area is beautiful and certainly doesn’t look creepy. But many a hiker has reported hearing the sound of horses and men being whipped, and some have even seen apparitions of miners. The majority of the paranormal activity happens near the old cemetery at Hughesville.

david / Flickr

Montana is full of abandoned mines and ghost towns, and since it’s so vast, there may even be a few we have yet to discover.

Do you like your hikes to come with a spooky backstory? Here are a few other haunted hiking trails in Montana.

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