The Deer Lodge Valley is a meadowland surrounded by mountain ranges to the east and west. In Powell County, nature experiences go hand in hand with historic sites and collections: a trip can take you from trails through open landscapes to stories from Deer Lodge.

Meadows, Ranch Trails, and Riverbanks

Grant-Kohrs Ranch has more than 10 miles of interconnected trails. In the western area, trails wind through natural grasslands and wildflowers, past irrigated hay meadows. You may spot deer, elk, and several bird species there. Because conditions on site can vary, it’s worth allowing some flexibility in your route.

Bicycling is also permitted on a designated section of the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site: along West Side Road from the Washington Street Entrance to the park boundary at the Old Wood Hay Stacker. If you plan to take this route, check the access rules before setting out.

On the Clark Fork River, Arrowstone Park is a riverside habitat with a number of well-established trails. The nature experiences offer different highlights: grasslands, wildflowers, and irrigated hay meadows define the trails at the ranch, while Arrowstone Park focuses on the riverbank. The Old Yellowstone Trail runs from Deer Lodge to Garrison, Montana. Another local landmark, Deer Park Golf Course, is about two miles west of downtown Deer Lodge.

History and Collections in Deer Lodge

Old Montana Prison offers guided and self-guided tours of the Cell House and Maximum Security areas. A precise date anchors the site’s history: the Montana Territorial Prison in Deer Lodgereceived its first prisoner on July 2, 1871. The tour and the historical context provide two different ways to explore the history of prisons.

The Rialto Theater in Deer Lodge is a Beaux-Arts-style theater. In 1998, it was added to the National Register under number #98000124. An interactive Deer Lodge walking tour adds photos and stories to the historic buildings. This lets you consider the architecture of a single theater alongside the stories of other historic buildings.

At Yesterday’s Playthings, Harriet Free’s collection features antique and reproduction dolls as well as mohair teddy bears. It also includes doll carriages, strollers, and a bed from a collection dating back to 1835. The Powell County Museum covers different subjects: mining, wood carving, and local history, along with regional exhibits and photographs that convey life in early Montana. You’ll also find a salt-and-pepper collection and antique furniture; collection contents may change.

Admission to the museum complex includes access to all five attractions; check this policy before your visit. Milwaukee Road is one of the complex’s other attractions. The Montana Auto Collection includes, among other vehicles, a 1913 Detroit Electric Car. Individual exhibits may change.

The William K. Kohrs Memorial Library was built in 1902 as a memorial to William K. Kohrs. Since its founding, it has served Deer Lodge as a free public library. For a sweet break, the Prison Cow Ice Cream Shop serves cones and sundaes from May through September. As it’s a seasonal offering, check before your trip whether it fits your plans.

Discover more destinations: Jefferson County, Valley County, Richland County, Wheatland County, Stillwater County, Treasure County, Deer Lodge.

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