Deer Lodge
Deer Lodge is a town in western Montana. About 3,000 people live there.
The Montana men's state prison has been here for a long time. The old prison complex, in the heart of town, is now the Old Prison Museum. A complex of other museums is scattered through the town center.
Understand
Before Europeans and settlers arrived, this area was unclaimed by first nations. People from the west, such as the Pend d'Oreilles, passed through here on the way to buffalo hunting, and horse races were held here. A small hill with salt licks and shelter against winter winds attracted deer to gather here, leading to the name "Deer Lodge". Lewis and Clark's expedition passed near here in 1805-6, the first recorded visit by settlers. More visitors passed through during the early 19th century. In 1860, European-American settlers established permanent residence here, notably Johnny Grant. His ranch site is preserved. The Oregon Treaty between the US and Britain made this area official part of the USA.
In 1869, the Montana Territorial Prison was built here, and the town of Deer Lodge was laid out. Nine years later, the first university in Montana was established. It closed in 1914. The town, the prison, and its modern successor, remain here to this day.
Get in
Interstate 90 runs nearby, giving access by automobile from the northwest (Missoula) and the southeast (Bozeman). U.S. Highway 12 passes about 12 miles to the north in Garrison, connecting to Helena.
Get around
This is the West, distances are large and transit is scarce. You will need an auto to get in and to many parts of town. The heart of town is small and flat, so it's possible — albeit hot in the summer — to walk between the sights.
See
A complex of five museums in the heart of town, operated by the Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation, share a common entrance ticket. The Old Prison Museum is the most prominent of them. They are open daily from March–December.
- 1 Frontier Montana Museum, 1107 Main Street (Across from the Auto Museum), ☏ +1 406 846-3111. Daily 9AM–6PM (closed Jan–Feb). Genuine artifacts from the American west between 1829 and 1900. Not the inaccurate reproductions seen in the movies. Shared PCMAF ticket.
- 2 Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, 266 Warren Ln (On the north end of Main St), ☏ +1 406 846-2070 x250. Summer: daily 9AM–5:30PM; rest of year: daily 9AM–4:30PM. At the site of ranches belonging to Johnny Grant and Conrad Kohrs, this park commemorates the role of cattlemen in the American West. Free.
- 3 Milwaukee Road Exhibits, 1110 Main Street (South of the Auto Museum), ☏ +1 406 846-3111. Daily 9AM–6PM (closed Jan–Feb). Historic caboose and a pair of locomotives, a tie to the time when Deer Lodge was a major railroad town. You can see the exteriors any time, with no ticket.
- 4 Montana Auto Museum, 1106 Main Street (Next to the Old Prison Museum), ☏ +1 406 846-3111. Daily 9AM–6PM (closed Jan–Feb). Over 150 cars on display, mostly classic American models. Shared PCMAF ticket.
- 5 Old Prison Museum, 1106 Main Street, ☏ +1 406 846-3111. Daily 9AM–6PM (closed Jan–Feb). The grey, castle-like walls of the old prison dominate Main Street at the heart of town. Prisoners were incarcerated here from 1871 to the late 1970s. Now the cells and buildings hold memorabilia of prisoners and guards alike. Several buildings on the grounds are accessible, though getting to them requires walking outside under the elements. Shared PCMAF ticket.
- 6 Powell County Museum, 1117 Main Street (One block south of the Old Prison Museum and across the street), ☏ +1 406 846-3111. Daily 9AM–6PM (closed Jan–Feb). Pictures and exhibits of life in early Montana. Mining, furniture, and wagons are displayed. Shared PCMAF ticket.
- 7 Yesterday's Playthings, 1017 Main Street (Across from the Old Prison Museum), ☏ +1 406 846-3111. Daily 9AM–6PM (closed Jan–Feb). Model railroad artifacts, as a tribute to Deer Lodge's history as a railroad town. Antique dolls from as far back as 1835. Also a case of antique Hot Wheel cars. Shared PCMAF ticket.
Do
- 1 Skatepark, 509 Higgins. Open daylight hours. The John and Dorothy Wilson Memorial Skatepark opened in 2022. Built with donations from Montana Pool Service, this is a high quality park for a small town
- 2 Victory Lanes, 514 4th St, ☏ +1 406 846-0056. M-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-9PM. Bowling center with pizza, wings, and sandwiches.
Buy
- 1 Hobby Store, 1105 Main St, ☏ +1 406 415-6515. Daily 8AM-3PM. Variety of crafts created by inmates. Braided horsehair, beading, leatherwork, and other products.
- 2 Montana Made & the Lilliepad Boutique, 517 Main St, ☏ +1 406 846-4139, montanamadestore@gmail.com. Good variety of Montana Made products, stock rotates so you will always find something new.
- 3 Territorial Antiques and Uniques, 300 Maryland Ave, ☏ +1 406 846-1400, territorial.antiques@gmail.com. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, closed Su. Antique store located in the old Warden's home.
Eat
- 1 K&M burgers and more, 209 Main St, ☏ +1 406 846-4133. M-Sa 6AM-8:30PM, Su 6AM-2PM. Variety of food, as the name says
- 2 Valley Foods, 711 Main St, ☏ +1 406 846-2684, valleyfoods@bresnan.net. Locally owned grocery store.
Drink
- 1 406 Coffee Cabin, 903 Main St, ☏ +1 406 846-7603, 406coffeecabin@gmail.com. Coffee, smoothies, and power shakes.
- 2 Cell Block Tavern, 818 Main St, ☏ +1 406 846-4058, cellblocktavern@gmail.com. Family friendly tavern with occasional entertainment. Pulled pork nachos and other food.
- 3 Mount Powell Tap Room, 320 Main St, ☏ +1 406 846-4208. Su M noon-10PM, Tu-Sa noon-11PM. Variety of beer from Montana and nearby states on tap.
Sleep
- 1 Indian Creek Campground, 745 Maverick Ln, ☏ +1 406 846-3848. Full service RV and tent campground. Rates include water, electricity, wi-fi, sewer/trailer dump, and shower services. On-site laundry facilities. Might be a little noisy, situated next to I-90. $60 deluxe RV, $25 tent.
- 2 Old Montana Inn, 809 Main St, ☏ +1 406 846-4771. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 1PM. Unique rooms with a western movie theme. Fridge/microwave, free wi-fi.
- 3 The Vonnie Louise Inn, 802 4th St, ☏ +1 406 506-8280, info@vonnielouise.com. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Charming and comfortable home with 4 rooms on the second floor. Within walking distance of Main St.
Connect
Go next
- Discovery Ski Area (46 miles southwest) is a popular Montana ski area just outside of Anaconda.
| Routes through Deer Lodge |
| Missoula ← Garrison ← | W  E |
→ Butte → Bozeman |
| Routes through Garrison |
| Coeur d'Alene ← Missoula ← | W E |
→ Deer Lodge → Butte |
| Lewiston ← Missoula ← | W  E |
→ Helena → Miles City |