Ghost Village

An amazing geologic, as well as a tragic piece of history, lies just a half-hour drive northwest of West Yellowstone, Montana. Ghost Village came to be when the August 17, 1959 magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit this area, causing a massive landslide at the east end of the valley damming the Madison River. The water levels rose, creating what is now Earthquake Lake, causing these cabins to float. They floated nearly a mile west and when the water receded, set these cabins down to where they rest today. For those camping in the area during this tragic event, there was no way out. Seventeen of which remain buried below the rubble. Those that survived fled to a nearby location which is now called "Refugee Point." If you are looking for more information, the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center is 5.5 miles further west on Highway 287 and has fantastic photos, videos, and documentation of the event. The memorial for those that lost their lives is also along a scenic hiking path above the visitor center.