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What are the best things to do in Deer Lodge, Montana? Deer Lodge has more museums and historic collections than any other town in the northwestern U.S. It also sits in a beautiful valley between the Flint Creek and Boulder ranges, near many historic mining towns.
From day trips to nearby ghost towns, to immersing yourself in museums and exploring the Grant-Kohrs Ranch, there are too many fun things to do in Deer Lodge to include in one article.
So, we collected the top 10 things to do in Deer Lodge, Montana, for absolutely anyone. Read on to discover each one.
10 fun things to do in Deer Lodge, Montana
Here are the top 10 fun things to do in Deer Lodge, Montana.
- Explorer ‘Sculpture in the Wild’ [FREE]
- Visit the Old Montana Prison Complex
- Check out the Montana Auto Museum
- Have a picnic or take a stroll in Cottonwood City Park [FREE]
- Stop in the William K. Kohrs Memorial Library [FREE]
- See the Grant-Kohrs National Historic Site [FREE]
- Take a trip to Garnet Ghost Town
- Tour the Frontier Montana museum
- Go bowling
- Go birding in the Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area [FREE]
1. Explore ‘Sculpture in the Wild’ [FREE]
One of the best things to do while you’re in Deer Lodge Valley is to take a short trip out of town to Lincoln, Montana. Just outside of town, you’ll find a series of contemporary sculptures made from natural and industrial materials that are associated with the community’s economic and cultural traditions.
The Sculpture in the Wild space is a 26-acre woodland area with unique structures, some of which look like they came from the world of Harry Potter. Others convey a message that connects but is difficult to put your finger on. Houses, “broken” bridges, iron teepees, and more await.
Each year, the site hosts a group of artists-in-residency consisting of domestic and international artists. The site is open from dawn to dusk, and entrance is free.
2. Visit the Old Montana Prison Complex
One of the most common things to do in Deer Lodge, Montana, is to visit the Old Prison in downtown. This is a former prison complex that is now open to the public.
The Old Montana Prison was the first Territorial Prison in the western United States. It was built in the late 1800s, with 24-foot (7.3 m) high gray, sandstone walls. Inside there are cell blocks, maximum security cells, and a courtyard for exercise.
The last prisoners moved to a new prison outside of town in 1979 and the city later opened the old prison to the public.
Today, its grounds contain five separate museums:
- Old Montana Prison
- Powell County Museum
- Frontier Montana Museum
- Yesterday’s Playthings
- Montana Auto Museum
The complex is open daily from 10 am – 4 pm, and tickets cost $18 for adults, $10 for kids, and are FREE for ages 0-9. One fee covers the entrance for all museums.
3. Check out the Montana Auto Museum
In the Old Prison Complex, you’ll find the Montana Auto Museum, which is so interesting that it deserves a special mention on our list. This is easily one of the funnest things to do in Deer Lodge, Montana, especially if you’re a car enthusiast.
The museum features more than 160 cars from various eras, including classic Chevys, a Schacht high-wheeler, and muscle cars. One interesting car on display is the 1886 Benz Replica, which was the first internal combustion engine motor vehicle.
The Montana Auto Museum was listed as one of the top 10 car museums in the United States by USA Today and offers a delightful trip into automobile history. The museum is open from Thursday to Sunday, and tickets cost $20 for adults or $15 for kids.
4. Have a picnic or take a stroll in Cottonwood City Park [FREE]
When talking about the best things to do in Deer Lodge, Montana, we can’t overlook the town’s main public park, Cottonwood City Park.
If you are into sports, Cottonwood City Park is the best place to catch a local football game, go for a stroll, or have a workout. The park is located near downtown Deer Lodge, Montana, and gives visitors and residents an easy opportunity to find some greenery and unwind after a day of sightseeing.
5. Stop in the William K. Kohrs Memorial Library [FREE]
Conrad Kohrs, the “Cattle King” who established the Grant-Kohrs Ranch in present-day Deer Lodge, and his wife Augusta, had a son named William.
After William died of an illness, the Kohrs wanted to remember him by doing something worthy for their own community. They decided to construct the WK Kohrs Memorial Library in 1902, a free public library.
Today, the library has a wide book selection. Visitors enjoy nice furnishings, historic architecture, and a serene atmosphere. It’s one of the best things to do in Deer Lodge, Montana, for anyone looking for a moment of quiet.
6. See the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site [FREE]
The Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site is one of the best national parks in Montana. It memorializes the icons of the western United States – the cowboys, cattlemen, and homesteaders. It is one of the most unique things to do in Deer Lodge, Montana.
In 1862, Metis fur trader and trapper Johnny Grant established a ranch in Cotton Creek, Montana, the place that later became Deer Lodge, Montana. After selling his holdings to Conrad Kohrs in 1867 and moving to Canada, Kohrs expanded his holdings to over a million acres, spanning from Wyoming, across Montana, and into Alberta, Canada.
Today the area consists of 1,618 acres (655 hectares) of land and the National Park Service maintains it as a working ranch. The ranch features 88 historic structures with guided tours available. Visitors can join various programs, such as the ranger program, to learn the history of the area.
7. Take a trip to Garnet Ghost Town
At the end of a relaxing week, nothing is more adventurous than visiting one of the best ghost towns in Montana. This is one of the most interesting things to do when you’re in Deer Lodge, Montana.
Garnet isn’t just another ghost town. It is considered one of the most well-preserved ghost towns in Montana. When the gold dried up and the miners left, the town was left to peril on its own.
However, volunteers soon began renovating and preserving its buildings. Today, Garnet features many of its original historic buildings as well as a visitor center store. The town is open year-round from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm daily and adult tickets cost $3 (16 and older). In the winter, it’s possible to reach Garnet only by snowshoe, cross-country ski, or snowmobile.
8. Tour the Frontier Montana museum
Located in the Old Montana State Prison mule barn, this is one of the best exhibits in the country dedicated to frontier life. For those interested in historical exhibits, this might be one of the most interesting things to do in Deer Lodge, Montana.
The Frontier Montana Museum holds a variety of authentic items from daily life and work that reveal how settlers and Native American Tribes in Montana experienced life during the frontier days.
All of the items on display are real items used by cowboys, ranchers, and frontiersmen and women dating back to 1829. They include hats, spurs, chaps, and more, plus beadwork and animal skin clothing from the Sioux and Cheyenne Native American tribes of the region.
9. Go bowling
Bowling is a splendid evening activity for visitors in Deer Lodge, Montana, and Victory Lanes is just the place to do it. If you’re looking for an active, but calming, thing to do in Deer Lodge, bowling may be just for you.
This recently remodeled, quaint bowling alley offers a clean, comfortable atmosphere that makes for a perfect, fun-filled evening out. They also serve food – their pizza has quite a reputation around town.
10. Go birding in the Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area
One of the best things to do while you’re in Deer Lodge, Montana, is to view wildlife in the surrounding area. The Deer Lodge Valley is a top spot among birders.
South of Deer Lodge about 20 minutes by car lies Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area. The ponds here are manmade, initially built to help mitigate environmental damage due to mining in nearby areas. Today it is a protected wetland paradise, home to a variety of wetland birds, song birds, and raptors.
A 1 hour and 25 minute drive north from Deer Lodge, near Ovando, lies another ideal place for birding. Browns Lake is a shallow, 500-acre body of water often inhabited by bald eagles, osprey (particularly in the spring), and a large number of waterfowl. Warm Springs and Browns Lake are both great for hiking and picnicking.
A town to enjoy
The beautiful city of Deer Lodge, Montana is steeped in history and surrounding natural beauty.
There are a variety of things to do in Deer Lodge, Montana. It’s a perfect choice for anyone who wants to experience a small lively town, learn about the history of Montana, or get out into nature for some hiking, birding, picnicking, or another outdoor activity.
Enjoy your time in Deer Lodge!
