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Powell County, Deer Lodge
Located on the edge of the town of Deer Lodge, the Grant-Kohrs Ranch preserves the headquarters of a massive nineteenth-century cattle empire. Today, it is a working ranch managed by the National Park Service, encompassing over one thousand six hundred acres of irrigated meadows, native bunchgrass, and the riparian corridor of the Clark Fork River.
The ranch is an excellent location to observe birds adapted to agricultural and grassland environments. The hay meadows support breeding Bobolinks and Savannah Sparrows, while the fence lines are patrolled by Western Kingbirds and Loggerhead Shrikes. The riparian zone along the Clark Fork River provides cover for migrating songbirds and nesting habitat for Great Horned Owls. In the winter, the open fields often attract Rough-legged Hawks.
Visitor Access
Entry to the National Historic Site is free. The park is open daily year-round, though hours vary by season. Visitors can walk several miles of trails that parallel the river and cross the meadows. Because it is a working ranch, visitors must stay on designated trails and give livestock a wide berth. No camping is available on site.