Top 14 Things To Do In Deer Lodge, Montana - Updated 2024

things to do in Deer-Lodge MT
Victor
Victor 
Updated
| 5 min read

Deer Lodge in Montana is a very popular tourists’ destination in the state, owing to its blend of natural and historical attractions. The region is essentially a meadowland, surrounded by mountain ranges both on the east and the west. Its location is not only ideal for agriculture (the main economic activity) but also boasts of some of the best natural scenery in the state of Montana. To those intending on visiting this awesome valley, it is possible to get confused on what attractions to give priority to, and to help you out, we have come up with a list of the top things to do in Deer Lodge, Montana so that you may save time and get the most out of your visit.

1. Relive the west in Frontier Montana Museum

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Frontier Montana Museum is one of the five museums in the Old Montana Prison Complex. Featuring the lifelong collection of Don Cappa, this site is a must-visit for anyone interested in all things American West. From the horse bits to the different types of guns, everything this museum has on display is genuine and authentic. It also houses items representative of several tribes, including the Native Americans, the Plains Indians, and the Cheyenne.

With one fee for admission to all five museums, guests can also enjoy access to Old Montana Prison, Powell County Museum, Yesterday’s Playthings, and the Montana Auto Museum in the complex.

Frontier Montana Museum

Address: 1107 Main St, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, United States

Website: Frontier Montana Museum

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily); from mid-May to September

Price: 18 USD

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2. Savor delicious steaks at Broken Arrow Steak House

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Broken Arrow Steak House offers a western dining experience in the ambiance of cowboy decor and Gary Carter prints. The restaurant’s charbroiled steaks, which come with a salad or seafood cocktail, are freshly cut every day. There are also seafood options on the menu for diners who want to skip the meaty fare. After a hearty lunch or dinner, guests can head to the restaurant’s full-service bar, which serves delicious margaritas, wines, and beers. A casino equipped with poker and keno machines is also available for some indoor entertainment while waiting for the food to be served.

The establishment offers both dine-in and take-out services.

Broken Arrow Steak House

Address: 317 N Main St, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, United States

Opening hours: 10am - 2am (daily)

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3. Discover the lives of past inmates at the Old Montana Prison Museum

Old Montana State prison, Deer Lodge 06
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Montanabw used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Old Montana Prison Museum Complex houses a total of five unique museums inside the rustic historic prison walls. Visiting this complex will take you back in time to the very first territorial prison in the western parts of the United States. The building of the prison was the work of convict labor during the late 1800s, and inside the massive perimeter walls, you will learn about what it meant to be a prisoner back in the days. Through the displays, artifacts, and history, you will appreciate being alive today and being a freeman.

Old Montana Prison Museum

Address: 1104 Main St, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, USA

Website: Old Montana Prison Museum

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

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4. Enjoy some quiet time at Cottonwood City Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Parks are ideal places for relaxation, especially after a hectic morning of jumping from one attraction to another. When you are in Deer Lodge, and you feel like relaxing and having some quiet time to yourself, then the best place to visit is Cottonwood City Park. You may think of it as any other park within a town but you will love the peace, quietness, and the greenery that has been maintained in the park. If you happen to visit in spring, you will love the places as the flowers come to life with all their bright colors.

Cottonwood City Park

Address: Deer Lodge, MT 59722, USA

Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)

Price: Free

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5. Learn about local and regional history at Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Powell County Museum and Art Foundation is housed in the Old Montana Prison Complex and it has a mission to be the best repository of the life and history of Deer Lodge and the immediate neighboring regions. It is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and presenting various elements of the local and regional culture and history. It is a great place to visit for history and culture enthusiasts because you will learn about the advancements the region has made towards modernity. You will also learn about the uniqueness of the culture from these parts of the United States.

Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation

Address: 1117 Main St, Deer Lodge, Montana 59722

Website: Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

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6. Taste local flavors at Four B’s Restaurant

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

A trip to any destination would not be complete if you don’t sample the culinary diversity in that region. It is always a good thing to appreciate the kinds of foods that exist in other places. When you are in Deer Lodge, the Four B’s Restaurant is one such place to check out this diversity. The place is clean, with friendly staff and fast service, and they have an impressive menu comprising of some of the best delicacies from the north.

Four B’s Restaurant

Address: 173 S Charles Richard Beall Blvd, DeBary, FL 32713, USA

Website: Four B’s Restaurant

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 5:30am - 1:30pm; Sat - Sun: 6am - 1:30pm

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7. Interact with locals over amazing brews at Elk Ridge Brewing Company

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Elk Ridge Brewing Company may be viewed as a communal meeting point where both locals and visitors in Deer Lodge gather to have good times over amazing craft beers. The brewery boasts of quality craft beers which are always accompanied by great service. In addition to the beers, the joint also serves light meals and snacks, and they have a kid-friendly menu to ensure that none of the family members are left out of the fun.

Elk Ridge Brewing Company

Address: 320 Main St, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, USA

Website: Elk Ridge Brewing Company

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 2pm - 8pm (closed on Sun)

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8. Learn about the western cattle industry at Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site

Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user John Eric Wright used under CC BY-SA 4.0

The history of Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site dates back to 1862 when the original ranch was established by Johnny Grant – a Canadian fur trader. The current ranch was created in 1972 to appreciate the western cattle industry which has been thriving since the mid-1880s. The ranch covers a total area of 1,618 acres (655 hectares), and currently, it is maintained by the National Park Service as a working ranch.

Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site

Address: 266 Warren Ln, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, USA

Website: Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site

Opening hours: 9am - 4:30pm (daily)

Price: Free

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9. Experience the nightlife at Montana Bar

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Montana Bar on Monday, July 23, 2018

Another experience not to miss in the places you visit is the nightlife. Nearly every region has their traditions when it comes to their night activities, and in Montana, you will find the nightlife slightly different from what you will get in the east or south of the United States. The nightlife here is rather quiet and casual, as opposed to the east or south where the nightlife is marked with active party scenes and loud music. The people from the west love enjoying their evening quietly while enjoying their beers and listening to soft country music. Visit the Montana Bar in Deer Lodge for this experience.

Montana Bar

Address: 402 Main St Deer Lodge, Montana 59722

Website: Montana Bar

Opening hours: 8am - 2am (daily)

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10. Cruise through time at Montana Auto Museum

Montana Auto Museum
Source: Photo by Flickr user JOHN LLOYD used under CC BY 2.0

Montana Auto Museum is located in the Old Prison Museum Gift Shop. It is one of the top car museums in the United States, and it will never fail to mesmerize visitors of all ages. When you visit, you will appreciate the transition from the horse-drawn carriages to cars, as well as the impacts that the cars have had on modern lives. This is where you get the chance to see how vehicles looked like in the late 1880s.

Montana Auto Museum

Address: 1106 Main St, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, USA

Website: Montana Auto Museum

Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)

Price: 15 USD

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11. Appreciate the flora and fauna at Arrow Stone Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Arrow Stone Park is located to the south of Deer Lodge and it is the home to a vibrant variety of flora and fauna. The park occupies hundreds of acres of land, with paved walkways to help you access the various park sections with ease. From the park, access to Clark Fork River has been made easy through the boat ramp and the fishing access, and so is the Old Montana Prison Museum which is only a few minutes away south-west.

Arrow Stone Park

Address: 100 I-90BL, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, USA

Website: Arrow Stone Park

Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)

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12. Go camping at Indian Creek Campgrounds

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Indian Creek Campground on Tuesday, February 11, 2020

For the outdoor enthusiasts, camping at Indian Creek Campgrounds is a must when you visit Deer Lodge in Montana. The site is in a beautiful setup with a plethora of outdoor recreation opportunities and proximity to some of the top museums and local attractions in the region. The site is clean, spacious, and has very friendly staff. It has over 70 RVs and tent sites, full hookups, and free wireless high-speed internet. Whether you want to visit as a couple, a family, or a team, it is well-equipped to take care of all your camping needs.

Indian Creek Campgrounds

Address: 745 Maverick Ln, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, USA

Website: Indian Creek Campgrounds

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

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13. Enjoy a live performance at Cutler Bros. Productions

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Cutler Bros. Theatre on Saturday, January 6, 2018

Cutler Bros. Production is fondly known as the Best Little Theatre in the West, and it the best place to visit when you want to catch some live performances and appreciate performing arts as defined by the people from the west. The theatre hosts a variety of shows, including spoken word, songs and dances, drama, comedy, and live musicals among others.

Cutler Bros. Productions

Address: 301 Main St, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, USA

Website: Cutler Bros Productions

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14. Go elk hunting with Bartlett Creek Outfitters

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you would like to have some adventure in the woods, then all you need is plan a trip with Bartlett Creek Outfitters for elk hunting in the Flathead National Forest of Western Montana. In addition to rattling the elks, this trip will treat you to unmatched fishing experience as well as unforgettable sightseeing. When you combine all these with the beauty of nature, this might as well be your most memorable moment during your Montana trip.

Bartlett Creek Outfitters

Address: 444 Hound Dog Ln, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, USA

Website: Bartlett Creek Outfitters

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Enjoy the beauty and the attractions of Deer Lodge

Deer Lodge County (Mt) Courthouse
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mark A. Holloway used under CC BY-SA 4.0

With all the things to do in Deer Lodge, Montana, you have no reason to have a boring trip to Montana. Your specific choices will, however, vary on your personal preferences, but the region has enough to keep you thoroughly engaged throughout your visit.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Victor firmly believes that writing is a skill anyone can develop, and he is a living testament to that philosophy. With a genuine love for writing, he finds it to be a powerful means of sharing...Read more

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