Deer Lodge County, Montana
Deer Lodge County is located in southwestern Montana. Anaconda, once a copper-mining powerhouse, is the beating heart and county seat. The town’s massive smelter stack still towers over the landscape, a 585-foot reminder of its industrial past.
These days, the county is more focused on outdoor recreation than ore extraction. You’ll find some of the best fly fishing in the state along the Big Hole River. Lost Creek State Park is a hiker’s paradise, with jagged peaks and crystal-clear alpine lakes. Winters here are long and snowy, making it perfect for the ski bums who flock to nearby Discovery Ski Area.
The county is named after Deer Lodge Valley, known for its abundance of white-tailed deer. Well, not really, but the name stuck. These days, Deer Lodge County is reinventing itself, balancing its rugged past with an eye toward a greener future.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Deer Lodge County |
| County Seat | Anaconda |
| Etymology | Named after the Deer Lodge Valley, which was named for its many deer |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Anaconda |
| Interstates and Highways | MT 1, MT 48 |
| FIPS Code | 30-023 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 741 square miles (Land: 737 sq mi, Water: 4 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Granite County (Northwest), Powell County (North), Jefferson County (East), Silver Bow County (Southeast), Beaverhead County (South), Ravalli County (West) |
| Time Zone | Mountain Time Zone (MT) |
| State | Montana |
| Coordinates | 46.1283° N, 112.9428° W |
| Major Landmarks | Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park, Lost Creek State Park, Discovery Ski Area |
| Population | Approximately 9,000 |
