Overview
Philipsburg is a town of about 800 people (2020) in southwestern Montana, originally formed around an ore smelter in 1867. The surrounding county is home to more than 24 ghost towns. Since the 1990s, numerous buildings in the town's historic district have been restored and filled with rock and jewelry shops, art galleries and candy stores.
1 sights · 4 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Philipsburg
Discovery Ski Area
For all abilities. Tree skiing, powder bowls, groomed trails, and mogul runs.
Granite Ghost Town State Park
Granite thrived as a silver mining town in the 1890s and is now completely deserted. The state maintains the mine superintendent's house and the ruins of the union hall, and there are other large industrial relics on the…
Georgetown Lake
Over 3,000 acre mountain lake. Used for boating, fishing, camping, and windsurfing. Four public boat ramps and multiple National Forest campgrounds. Access to lodging, restaurants, and a marina.
Granite County Museum
In addition to exhibits on early town history, the museum features the Ghost Town Hall of Fame and the Granite Mountain Mining exhibit.
Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine
This has produced over 180 million carats of sapphires since 1892, and is now developed for rock hounds to dig for sapphires by hand.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Missoula)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BTM Bert Mooney Airport, Butte — 46 mi away. Directions
- MSO Missoula Montana Airport, Missoula — 55 mi away. Directions
- GEG Spokane International Airport, Spokane — 219 mi away (major hub). Directions
State Route 1 (MT-1) passes north-south along the west edge of Philipsburg, between Drummond and Anaconda.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Granite County Museum, Discovery Ski Area, Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine
- Afternoon Granite Ghost Town State Park, Georgetown Lake
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
State Route 1 (MT-1) passes north-south along the west edge of Philipsburg, between Drummond and Anaconda.
State Route 38 (MT-38) is a scenic primitive seasonal road over Skalkaho Pass to Skalkaho Falls and Hamilton. No RVs or trailers. There are no guardrails on this narrow, mostly gravel mountain road.
By plane
Get around
Most businesses are on Broadway St.
See
Do
Do Granite Ghost Town State Park
Granite thrived as a silver mining town in the 1890s and is now completely deserted. The state maintains the mine superintendent's house and the ruins of the union hall, and there are other large industrial relics on the hillside. The road from Philipsburg is narrow, steep and winding.
Go next
Nearby
Anaconda
City / town · 20 listings · 22 mi away
Deer Lodge
City / town · 20 listings · 27 mi away
Hamilton
City / town · 13 listings · 42 mi away
Butte
City / town · 54 listings · 44 mi away
Missoula
City / town · 57 listings · 50 mi away
Lolo
City / town · 9 listings · 51 mi away
Seeley Lake
City / town · 4 listings · 58 mi away
Helena
City / town · 41 listings · 63 mi away
My experience
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