Visit Monida Montana – Population 6
Updated June 2024
High up in the mountains, on the Continental Divide, is the town of Monida, Montana, at an elevation of 2094 meters (6897 feet). The name comes from its location close to the Montana and Idaho borders (MONtana + IDAho = Monida).
Thousands of people drive north and south along Interstate 15 in Montana daily. Most of them pass the town of Monida without even realising it is there. As someone always seeking places off the beaten path, I stopped for a look.
Monida is an interesting little place. It is not a ghost town but very close to being one. The population of Monida is six. There are farmhouses that no doubt have more people than this town.
Left: General Store, Right: The Post Office
From 1898 to 1907, a train stopped here, and passengers could take a stagecoach from Monida to Yellowstone National Park in nearby Wyoming. More than 12,000 people passed through Monida in the summer of 1902. The stage line went out of business in 1909 due to the advent of motorised vehicles and a new train station closer to the park. After that, the people drifted away until today; just six people live here, probably because the place is in the middle of nowhere and high up in the mountains, which makes for freezing weather.
If you are driving along Highway 15 to the sunny south, stop for a few minutes to tour this interesting town. There are no hotels, restaurants, gas stations, or services. It will only take a few minutes, and you can continue on your way. It will be time well spent touring this historic town.