The Flint Creek Mountains rise directly west of Deer Lodge [1]. These jagged peaks harbor many high mountain lakes linked with good hiking trails; these are also good trails to explore on mountain bikes.
From the Racetrack Forest Service campground, a rough road continues eight miles to Indian Meadows trailhead. Here, a series of alpine lakes reposes beneath the 9,000-foot Twin Peaks. The lakes are high enough to be undependable as fisheries. To reach Racetrack, turn west at Warm Springs and continue 10 miles on a good road.
Hikes to other high mountain lakes begin at Tin Cup Lake, eight miles west of Deer Lodge, off Montana State Prison Road; and west of Rock Creek Lake, about 15 miles northwest of Deer Lodge on Forest Service Road 168. Consult the Deer Lodge National Forest Map and the ranger station (91 N. Frontage Rd., 406/846-1770, www.fs.fed.us/r1/b-d [2]) for more information.
The city swimming pool is at 703 5th Street. Deer Lodge Golf Club (406/846-1625) welcomes visitors to its nine-hole course just west of town.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/montana/butte-helena-and-southwestern-montana/the-upper-clark-fork-river-valley/deer-lodge
[2] http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/b-d