Quick Facts
- State
- Montana
- County
- Chouteau County County
- Status
- Unknown Status
- Access
- Unknown Access
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
Some ghost towns feel like museums. Carter feels like an interruption — a place that stopped mid-sentence. Carter County is a county located in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,415, making it the seventh-least populous county in Montana.
Chouteau County County holds 3 documented ghost towns, including Lonetree, Square Butte — Carter keeps them company on the map.
The story of Carter
Montana's ghost towns span gold-rush gulches and the great homestead bust that emptied the Hi-Line.
Carter County is a county located in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,415, making it the seventh-least populous county in Montana. The county seat is Ekalaka.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Carter is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.
Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.
Getting there
Here's the honest truth: access to Carter is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.
Good to know
Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.
Carter FAQs
Where is Carter located?
What county is Carter in?
What is the history of Carter?
What remains at Carter today?
Can you visit Carter?
Sources: description based on Wikipedia (“Carter County, Montana”), CC BY-SA.