Contact Us
Mailing Address:
Montana Heritage Commission
Po Box 338
Virginia City, MT 59755
Physical Location:
300 West Wallace Street
Virginia City, MT 59755
(corner of Highway 287
and Jackson Street upstairs
above Bob's Place)
Phone: 406.843.5247
Fax: 406.843.5468
The Montana Heritage Commission's hours of operation are 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday in the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Refer to the Plan Your Visit page for a list of visitor centers open daily from 10 am to 6 pm during the summer months. Hours of operation in the winter are based on staffing. An appointment is recommended.
Have questions? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions below the contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tickets can only be purchased on the day you plan to ride the train. You will reserve your train times, departing and returning at time of purchase. These tickets can be purchased at the Virginia City Train Depot or the Nevada City Museum. You will reserve your train times when you purchase.
The Nevada City Living History Interpreters are in the Nevada City Museum only on Saturdays and Sundays between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. The Nevada City Museum does open at 9:00 AM, an hour earlier on these days.
Virginia City is the county seat and is a living town, so it is open year-round. Many of the attractions such as shops, restaurants, and attractions are not open till Memorial Day Weekend.
When you purchase your Alder Gulch Shortline ticket, you will need to pick your depart and return times. This is done so that we can guarantee that we have a seat for you and your group on the return trip. Our Customer Service Associates at the Virginia City Depot and the Nevada City Museum will help you plan out your time in the opposite town so that you don’t miss out.
The Alder Gulch Shortline train ride is a 15 minute narrated tour. The train has its first trip of the day out of Nevada City at 10:30 AM and has its last trip of the day out of Virginia City at 6:00 PM. The train leaves Virginia City on the top of the hour and leaves Nevada City at the half hour.
Camping in the parking lots in Virginia and Nevada Cities is not permitted. The Rambling Moose Campground in Virginia City has camping for RV’s and campers.
Panning for gold is only permitted at the River of Gold in Nevada City. The River of Gold is open seven days a week between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day. Panning demonstrations start at 10:00 AM. The last panning demonstration starts at 5:00 PM. Panning takes an average of 45 minutes. You receive a vial with your paid admission and get to keep all the treasures you find.
Most of the attractions, restaurants, and lodging is open mid May – September. Virginia City is a living town so you can most definitely stop by and walk around the historic buildings. Feel free to walk along the boardwalks on Wallace Street and peek inside the historic buildings. Most of the historic buildings along the boardwalk have National Register signs attached to them which give a brief history of that building.
Yes, Ellingsen - Discovery Park in Virginia City is available for events. It is equipped with a stage, pavilion, picnic tables, chairs, outhouses, and concession stands. Contact 406-843-5247 for more information and to plan your event.
Yes, Virginia City and Nevada City have many different lodging options. Please check out www.heritageaccommodations.com for vacation rentals in Virginia City. The Fairweather Inn in Virginia City and the Nevada City Hotel and Cabins can be contacted at http://www.aldergulchaccommodations.com. More lodging options can be found on the Virginia City Chamber of Commerce website at http://virginiacity.com/virginia-city-montana-lodging.
