Step back into the days when cowboys ruled America's west on a visit to Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. When you enter the bunkhouse, you will feel like a cowboy or cowgirl as the smell of hay, leather, and horses drift through the air. Head to the Thoroughbred Barn to see the many horse-drawn vehicles it took to keep this ranch, one of the largest in America going in the l800s. Visit with the numerous staff, including chuckwagon cooks, blacksmiths, and cowboys that are reenacting ranch life in America. There are plenty of animals to see, including cattle and horses. Learn more about the life of cattle baron John Francis Grant, who created dominance in the area by marrying eight women from various Native American tribes and fathering 26 children so that he could do business with his Native American neighbors.
You will not want to miss a second of exploring this area's wide-open spaces, so skip the long drives by bringing your RV. You will be delighted by the memories that you build with your loved ones when you go camping. If you do not have an RV, it is easy to rent one on RVshare.com. All different sizes are available.
There are 18 buildings to visit at Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. Ranch hands built many of them in the late 1800s. Learn more about this unique time in Montana's history. As the buffalo herds were dwindling due to over-hunting, ranchers were able to capitalize by grazing large herds on the open land. In addition to the fascinating main house, visit with blacksmiths, cooks, cowboys, and others to get a first-hand view of life on the range.
Hiking TrailsThe Old Hay Stacker Trail starts at the end of Washington Street in Deer Lodge and goes in a northerly direction until just beyond the Old Hay Stacker. See the area where thrashers would dump hay into the stacker before cowboys moved the hay with pitchforks to feed the cattle in lots.
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, 266 Warren Ln, Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
1.3 Miles
Easy
This trail starts at the visitor center and goes northwest for 0.25 miles to reach the ranch house. Workers constructed this large two-story home in 1862. Then, the trail turns north and continues for 1.26 miles.
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, 266 Warren Ln, Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
1.61 Miles
Easy
The Red Barn Trail starts at the end of Cattle Drive. It goes west for a very short distance to the Red Barn, constructed in the 1870s. You can see horses used on the ranch. Then, this trial turns northeast and goes for 1.5 miles towards the historical site's boundaries.
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, 266 Warren Ln, Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
1.6 Miles
Easy
SightseeingWorkers on the Flathead Indian Reservation cut the logs for the Main House at the Grant-Kohrs National Historic Site in 1864 and 1865. The logs to construct this poteaux en coulisse-style home were then shipped down the river, where additional workers built the house on its rubblestone foundation. In 1890, ranch hands enlarged the home to be 64 feet long and 30 feet wide.
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, 266 Warren Ln, Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Workers constructed the oldest building on Bunkhouse Row at Grant-Kohrs National Historic Site in 1862. The original bunkhouse had a dog-trot design. In 1907, workers used boards to attach the freestanding buggy barn constructed between 1884 and 1890 to the original cabin. Workers also attached the washroom in the early 1900s.
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, 266 Warren Ln, Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Ranch hands constructed the icehouse at Grant Kohrs National Historic Site out of logs in about 1880. Workers harvested ice blocks weighing up to 300 pounds from the nearby Johnson Creek to put in the square building. The later addition on the south side of this building is where the cook lived.
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, 266 Warren Ln, Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
MuseumsSee over 160 vintage and antique cars at the Montana Auto Museum. View a replica of an 1886 Benz, which was the first successful internal combustion engine motor vehicle. One of the exhibits that you will want to explore is a rare Staude-a-Tractor, designed to attach to the front of early passenger cars to turn them into tractors. You can also see other early vehicles, including a 1915 Seagrave Fire Truck, a Diamond T logging truck, a Vincent Amanda Motor Scooter, and a 1913 Detroit Electric Car.
1106 Main St, Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
View a territorial prison by touring the Old Montana Prison. This facility held its first inmate on July 2, 1871. See a variety of shackles and guns, including lethal ones fashioned by inmates from kitchen forks. Imagine being the inmate who staff thought might run away, so he was made to wear 20-pound shoes with concrete soles. Learn about the story of Turkey Pete, who sold the prison's turkeys and paid the prison's expenses with the proceeds.
1104 Main St, Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Nearby Shops and RestaurantsFind hunting rifles, ammunition, knives, and camping gear at Elk Tips Outdoor Gear. They also carry many different game calls for turkeys, elk, and other animals, along with training tapes and DVDs.
220 Main St, Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Territorial Antiques and Uniques offer a variety of vintage and antique items inside a historic mansion. Items are available from a variety of different vendors and across many niche markets. Many of the options are one-of-a-kind and were made or used in Montana.
300 Maryland Ave, Deer Lodge, Montana, 59722
Enjoy dining on a fresh steak at Broken Arrow Steak House & Casino. You will love seeing the Western-themed Gary Carter prints on the walls of this rustic restaurant. Then, relax after dinner in the casino.
317 Main St, Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Four B's Restaurant. Then, come in later for a sandwich for lunch. Finish the day at this restaurant with quesadillas or one of their daily specials.
1210 N Main St, Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Quickly get to Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site from Deer Lodge, Montana, by getting on Interstate 90 Business Loop. Go north for about 1 mile. Right after you cross Johnson Creek, you will see the historic site.
266 Warren Ln, Deer Lodge, MT 59722
Fee: Entry Fee (Per Person)
There is no entry fee.
The headquarters for Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site is on one of the largest ranches from Montana's open-range days. Explore over 18 historic trails, go hiking and visit with reenactors at this site. Be sure to bring your RV to explore the Deer Valley area. If you do not have one, rent one on RVshare.com.
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