Deer Lodge, Montana

Deer Lodge is a city of about 3,100 located between Missoula, Helena, and Butte Montana. It’s a quaint little town that provides travelers easy access to amenities and services. Plus, it offers some great recreation, including mountain hiking, golf, and a skate park. Other destinations of choice include museums with prison and automobile themes.

Amazingly enough, this little gem of a town is the second oldest in Montana.

Easiest Stop Between Missoula & Butte

This is why I know the city well. It’s a great stopping point if you’re traveling on I-90. A frequent journey for me. It’s not busy and it’s convenient to get a lot done.

If kids need to get out of the car there are a couple of fast food restaurants and some small stores.

If you need to be outdoors moving around, there are safe, fun parks throughout Deer Lodge and interesting museums.

Deer Lodge even installed a skate park in 2022. There are plenty of options to stretch your legs, move around, and enjoy the beautiful Montana scenery before you continue on your trip.

One of my favorite ways to make the drive when I’ve got a little bit of slack in my timing is to go to Subway, grab sandwiches for everyone, then picnic in the park. The kids play on the jungle gyms, I walk around, and we all burn off some energy. Then we get into the care completely refreshed and continue on our way.

Deer Lodge is such a beautiful destination and the break from driving is time well spent.

Deer Lodge Museums

Deer lodge has a surprising number of museums that visitors rave about in different reviews. You could spend the whole day visiting all of them or take in 1 for a good break.

The two most popular are the prison museum and the auto museum.

But there are 3 other museums that patrons walk away from feeling like they learned a lot and experienced a bit of nostalgia

• Frontier Montana: Museum that is everything Cowboy! Focuses on frontier life from a bygone area. A collection of handguns spurs, chaps, and the Western Frontier.
• Yesterday’s Play Things: Museum that deep dives into 60+ years of toys. You walk away missing some treasures from your youth.
• Powell County Museum

These museums are run by The Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation. Deer Lodge has other historical sites such as the Grant-Kohrs Ranch.

In addition to a former cellblock building, the museum complex includes a theater, antique and automobile museums, and a former Milwaukee Road “Little Joe ” electric locomotive.

Deer Lodge Prison Museum

This is history everyone in the family will want to learn!

You can see the old Montana State Prison – the old foundation, the old walls, where the cells were. It’s not quite Alcatraz, but you can feel what this site’s purpose was.

The former prison pops out at you as you drive through the main street in town. On a warm summer day, many people are exploring the museum. Well worth the stop, and gives you plenty to think about if you’ve got the time.

The old prison and its museum are in Deer Lodge. The new Montana State Prison is a few miles away and no longer a large presence in the Deer Lodge community.

Deer Lodge Auto Museum

Car enthusiasts comment on how they’ve never seen so many cars (over 200) and are shocked there are brands they’ve never heard of.

It’s hard not to become a car enthusiast after visiting.

Grant-Kohrs Ranch

This is a national historic site, with guided tours available, but they can fill up any given day. The self-guided tours are a good substitute.

The ranch was founded around the time of the Oregon trail after Johnny Grant figured out cattle thrived here during the cold winters.

There are many experiences here to be had such as sitting in a covered wagon, seeing how the cooking operation woodwork, and what cowboy life was like out on the open range.

It’s fascinating to see how bouncy and comfortable the seat on a covered wagon was. The seats were not as rigid as they appear.

Deer Lodge Scenery & Outdoors

Montana offers a plethora of wildlife and it’s all available in the Deer Lodge area. It’s possible to see herds of elk, mule & whitetail deer, black bears, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and antelope. Elk and deer are the animals you’re most likely to see.

There are nearby mountain ranges for hiking, and it’s possible to take close-up pictures of animals.

Fishing in the area is wonderful, especially with the Clark Fork River nearby. Hunting is also available in Deer Lodge.

Keep these places in mind as well:

• Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area
• Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area
• Lost Creek State Park
• Fairmont Hot Springs

Deer Lodge Parks

• Jaycee Park: Park with older play equipment. Great place to spend an hour with some beautiful scenery
• Little Joe: Named after the Little Joe Locomotive in the local museum.
• Central Park Center: this is a pool and fitness Center
• Cottonwood City Park
• Skate Park: John and Dorothy Wilson Memorial Skate Park on Higgins Avenue. Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam fame helped fund this park.

Rivers

Clark Fork river & Blackfoot River confluence is near Deer Lodge.

Deer Lodge Golf Course (aka Deer Park Golf Course)

This is a small golf course for the community. If you’re trying to check off all the golf courses in Montana or just want to spend the day golfing, it provides beautiful mountain scenery.

Otherwise, there are nicer golf courses that are a closer drive.

Restaurants in Deer Lodge

• Prison Pizza: homemade pizza sauce from scratch? What’s not to love about this prize of a pizza parlor in Deer Lodge? This one’s a great stop you’re not gonna find better pizza at the two big cities on either tip of your drive.
• Corner Bar: great little bar with live music some evenings and outdoor seating during the summer months
• Kaffeination Station: stop for coffee and a quick meal. Surprisingly great reviews on their Philly Cheesesteak.
• Broken Arrow Steakhouse: steak houses and small cities can be pretty hit-and-miss. I found Broken Arrow steakhouse to be pretty good and cooked correctly. Some reviews show not everyone feels this way, but I recommend trying it.

Deer Lodge Dates to be Aware Of

The Deer Lodge Prison & Auto Museums are currently closed for maintenance, reopening March 3, 2023. Fun starts the next day at the museum with a children’s play on March 4.

Traveling to Deer Lodge

Deer Lodge is an easy destination to travel to. I assume that’s one of the reasons this thriving community exists.

If you’re traveling from Butte or Missoula, it will just be a long I-90. Same for Helena Montana but you will take Highway 12 first to get to I-90.

Stop Lights Flash

One of my favorite things about small towns like Deer Lodge is when it’s not peak driving hours there’s no need for stoplights.

Instead of waiting for stoplight timers on streets that aren’t currently busy, the stoplights flash and let the driver know whether they need to yield at the light.

I like it because it’s more efficient and it is refreshing to be a little less beholden to technology.

I’ve seen this in a few cities over the years and I’ve also seen the cities grow and eliminate this stoplight behavior. I miss the simplicity.

History

I was quite surprised when I found out Deer Lodge is the second oldest town in Montana.

Amongst the prison, museums, and the Grant-Kohrs ranch, you can learn a lot about the history of Deer Lodge.

The Powell County Website has a great page that covers the history of Deer Lodge and provides insite into how this part of the West was settled.

FAQ

What should I do in Deer Lodge?

If you have a lot of time, absolutely visit one of the museums. If not have a picnic in the park, move around, enjoy the scenery, and then be on your way.

What’s the best place to stop in Deer Lodge?

In my opinion, a short visit to Prison Pizza. If you have a long time, then check out the grant Grant-Kohrs Ranch- I don’t think there’s a better way to experience Montana’s history.

Summary & other places of interest

Deer Lodge is a small town that offers a lot of amenities whether you are passing through or in town for a couple of days.

The outdoor recreation is phenomenal as are the chances to connect the history on display.

With close proximity to three major cities in Montana, Deer Lodge may be worth spending a little time in if you are already in Missoula, Helena, or Butte. Spending a day hiking in the Deer Lodge and then getting back to the Kettlehouse Amphitheater for a concert would be an incredible day.

KettleHouse Amphitheater

Kettlehouse Amphitheater is a concert venue set along the Blackfoot River, nestled in the Montana mountains. It is outside of Missoula Montana and hosts a wide variety of performances, including concerts, films, and comedians. The amphitheater is also available for private rentals and has 4,250 seats.

If you enjoy music and you enjoy the outdoors, you’re going to love this venue. And if you’re a fan of outdoor parties in the summer, you may buy tickets for every event in the future!

Performances

There are many different events & concerts at the amphitheater. Various forms of rock music are the most common- country, classic, alternative, hard, and metal. There are also comedians performing and independent films previewed at the KettleHouse Amphitheater.

Acts at KettleHouse have included Sheryl Crow, Death Cab for Cutie, The Goo Goo Dolls, and The Black Crowes.

Food & Refreshments

KettleHouse provides the refreshment options you’d want at an outdoor gathering.

Burgers, Brats, Fries, and Bar-b-Que. Great food in a great atmosphere.

And then you’ll be blown away by what is available to drink. 

Soft Drinks, of course. Yet, what other theaters have you been to that has an onsite brewery? Enjoy beer brewed onsite, wine, cocktails, and hard-seltzers.

The amphitheater’s location in the mountains combined with the catering makes for a memorable party.

Missoula Mountains

Missoula is already a special place as it’s the meeting point of five different mountain ranges. When set on the Blackfoot river as well, it’s hard to describe Kettlehouse amphitheater as anything else but special.

When you’re at the amphitheater, you can see three of the Rangers. Behind the theater, across the river is Marshall mountain. To the right is Bonner Mountain and on the left is University Mountain. This is where the rivers, three different rivers, meet up as well.

Travel To KettleHouse Amphitheater

Address: 605 Cold Smoke Lane, Bonner, MT 59823.

Driving

The drive to KettleHouse Amphitheater is a short drive from Missoula. There’s even a $10 shuttle if you prefer.

Head East on I-90 as you leave Missoula. Take the Highway 200 exit which you’ll get to very quickly. After just under 2 miles, turn left on Cold Smoke Avenue.

You’ll see the amphitheater and be directed to parking.

Parking

If you’re there for an event, you’ll likely be directed to a dirt parking lot on the left. There is a smaller lot on the right which may be used if you’re there in business or attending a private event (depending on the event’s size).

From the Parking Lot

It’s easy to see the amphitheater and walk to the venue. Though the area around the KettleHouse Amphitheater is gorgeous and you may want to stroll around if you have time.

KettleHouse Amphitheater History

Ground was broken for the amphitheater in October 2016 and the first concert, featuring Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, was on July 13, 2017.

Acts at KettleHouse have included Sheryl Crow, Death Cab for Cutie, The Goo Goo Dolls, and The Black Crowes.

Big Sky Brewing opened up 5,000 seat amphitheater that same year after hearing about the KettleHouse going up about 12 miles away. Ticket sales have been strong for both venues since they were established.

Summary & other destinations of interest

Nearby, you have Big Sky Brewing’s Amphitheater – also in Missoula. Which is just slightly bigger.

In nearby Bozeman, The Rialto offers special performances. 

If you’re exploring the West or other outdoor amphitheaters there are quite a few outdoor concert venues with similarly majestic settings. The most famous is probably The Red Rock in Colorado. Followed closely by Tuacahn in St. George, Utah.

Why visit Denton?

Denton is a charming town to visit on your way to various outdoor activities. It is a small town primarily supported by agriculture, and has all the character you would expect in such a setting.

If you have some time to spend, the local library is accommodating and there are many outdoor activities throughout the year:

Hunting

Pictures taken near Denton often include buck deer & bull elk with multiple points on their antlers. Dirt roads and nearby mountains offer plenty of opportunity to disappear into the wild for a couple hours or days.

Rail Cars

The local rail road run by Central Montana Rail is a lifeline to the farmers of Denton- taking produce and grain to various markets.

In 2011, the Judith River overflowed, severely damaging the railroad. Through a $4 million grant from the Federal and Montana Governments, the railroad was restored.

There are a few celebrations around the railroad. Vintage rail car owners gather in Denton every year to run the rail cars over about 80 miles. They traverse steep mountain paths and some of the unique bridges in the area.

Chew Choo

Additionally, the Charlie Russell Chew Choo (a dinner cruise, but on a train) originates in Lewiston Montana and does an out and back run to Denton. The rolling mountain scenery is awe inspiring.

Farmers State Bank Building

If you’re in the area, the Farmers State Bank Building is worth walking around. It’s a historic building in the area. It is now a branch of Montana based Opportunity Bank. This location does not have a drive up window.

Denton Restaurants

• Longbranch – Grill open from around 2pm to midnight daily. Closing hours change depending on the day of the week.
• Shadetree Cafe – Not our average cafe. Cuisine includes burgers and rib-eye steaks

What Else about Denton?

It’s proximity to the wilderness has made it susceptible to natural catastrophes, but Denton’s citizens always keep their town and local farms flourishing.

Rail roads were damaged in 2011 during flooding and the bridge into town burned in a wildfire in December 2021. The infrastructure put in place to fix these damages is always stronger and Denton is thriving to this day.