Management

Founded in 1860 by pioneer stockgrower John Grant, succeeded in 1866 by cattle baron Conrad Kohrs and preserved 1940-1972 by Hereford rancher Conrad Kohrs Warren, Grant-Kohrs Ranch joined the National Park Service on August 25, 1972. Congress authorized this site's establishment to:

"...provide an understanding of the frontier cattle era of the Nation's history, to preserve the Grant-Kohrs Ranch, and to interpret the nationally significant values thereof for the benefit and inspiration of present and future generations."

The National Park Service strives manage Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site to balance the preservation of the site with the visitor experience.

Regulations

Park rangers enforce a number of federal regulations in the park, including the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36 (36 CFR), and the United States Code, Titles 16, 18 and 21.

Within 36 CFR, park superintendents are granted the right to make park-specific regulations to maintain public health and safety, protect environmental or scenic values, protect natural and cultural resources, aid in scientific research, provide for equitable use of facilities, and avoid conflict among visitor use activities. These park-specific regulations are found in the Superintendent's Compendium. Special and Administrative Orders not included in the Superintendent's Compendium are listed below.

 

Special and Administrative Orders

August 24, 2021 - Fire Restrictions Rescinding Order

RESCINDING ORDER
FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
Deer Lodge, Montana

Pursuant to Title 36 Code of Federal Regulation 261.50

(a), the prohibition listed for Stage II Fire Restrictions Special Order, dated July 21st, 2021 and Stage I Fire Restrictions Special Order dated July 7th, 2021 applicable to the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site and signed by Superintendent Jacqueline Lavelle is hereby rescinded effective Thursday August 26th, 2021 @ 0001 hours.

Deer Lodge, Montana this 24th, day of August 2021.

/S/ Jacque Lavelle, (signature on file)
Superintendent, Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
 

July 21, 2021 - Stage II Fire Restrictions

SPECIAL ORDER
STAGE II FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site

PDF of Document
Pursuant to 36 Code of Federal Regulations 36CFR2.13 the following acts are prohibited in Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site.

TITLE 36--PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY
CHAPTER I--NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
PART 2_RESOURCE PROTECTION, PUBLIC USE AND RECREATION

Sec. 2.13 Fires.

 

(a) The following are prohibited:

1. Lighting or maintaining a fire, except in designated areas or receptacles and under conditions that may be established by the superintendent.

2. Using stoves or lanterns in violation of established restrictions.
3. Lighting, tending, or using a fire, stove or lantern in a manner that threatens, causes damage to, or results in the burning of property, real property or park resources, or creates a public safety hazard.
4. Leaving a fire unattended.
5. Throwing or discarding lighted or smoldering material in a manner that threatens, causes damage to, or results in the burning of property or park resources, or creates a public safety hazard.

(b) Fires shall be extinguished upon termination of use and in accordance with such conditions as may be established by the superintendent. Violation of these conditions is prohibited.

(c) During periods of high fire danger, the superintendent may close all or a portion of a park area to the lighting or maintaining of a fire.

(d) The regulations contained in this section apply, regardless of land ownership, on all lands and waters within a park area that are under the legislative jurisdiction of the United States.

[48 FR 30282, June 30, 1983, as amended at 52 FR 35240, Sept. 18, 1987]

In accordance with the Northern Rockies Coordination Group Restrictions and Closure Procedures, Stage II fire restrictions will be implemented in Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in the following manner:

STAGE II -- The following acts are prohibited until further notice:

1. Building maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
3. The following acts are prohibited from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.:
    
   • a. Operating any internal combustion engine.
   • b. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
   • c. Using an explosive. A patrol is required for two hours following cessation of all work as described above.
4. Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails (except as exempted below.)
   • Exemptions:
   1. Using motorized equipment for agricultural purposes (specifically haying/harvesting)
   2. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
   3. Persons using a device fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off.
   4. Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads and trails.
   5. Emergency repair of public utilities and railroads as per attached conditions.
   6. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
   7. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
   8.  All land within a city boundary is exempted.
   9. Other exemptions unique to each agency/tribe. (See Exhibit A)

These restrictions become effective at 0001 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time on Saturday July 24th and will remain in effect until rescinded.

Done this 21st day of July 2021

/S/ Jacque Lavelle, (signature on file) Superintendent,  Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site

 

EXHIBIT A

In accordance with Stage II Fire Restrictions invoked under this Special Order, within the developed sites listed below, the following exemptions apply:

Park employees shall be authorized to build and use a campfire within the confines of a fire ring provided by the National Park Service for interpretive programming. Fires outside of these areas are not authorized.

Visitor Center North pasture
Lower Yard Chuckwagon

These exemptions may be rescinded at any time due to severe weather conditions or major fire activity

July 22, 2021 - Closure Order Ranch House COVID-19

United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
266 Warren Lane
Deer Lodge, MT 59722

PDF Document
2D Covid-19>GRKO
Closure Order #21-001

June 22, 2021 Closures, restrictions and public use limits:

Restrictions and Public Use Limits: Under the authority provided to the Superintendent in 36 CFR §1.5 and §13.50, the following activities are restricted in Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Park, effective immediately, until further notice:

• Ranch house

Authority: 36 CFR §1.5(a)(1) and 36 CFR §13.50(a)

 

Notice: This administrative order applies to all individuals subject to the regulatory authority of the National Park Service within the boundaries of Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site including park visitors and stakeholders, except as follows:

•  Park employees and contractors performing cleaning and maintenance activities.

Finding: The NPS issues this administrative order for the purposes of maintaining public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. This order is consistent with the following federal public health directives:

Reduced Occupancy Guidance Changes for National Park Service Facilities, May 14, 2021. Covid 19 Exhibtry Cleaning Guidance

These directives require the NPS to take the actions identified above because:

• The Ranch House does not have adequate spacing to six foot distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19.
•  Unlike restrooms, museum objects can not be cleaned or disinfected only isolated if contamination is suspected.
•  Public health directors prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people. Allowing individuals to mingle and gather within the park increases the risk of disease introduction and spread.

This order is effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice. The effectiveness of this order will be assessed on an ongoing basis and will be modified or removed when conditions warrant.

Approval /S/ Jacqueline Lavelle, (signature on file) Superintendent
July 23, 2021

 

The National Park Service maintains Grant-Kohrs Ranch as a working cattle ranch.  The ranch herd consists of Hereford, shorthorn and Texas Longhorn cattle breeds that were dominant on the open range.

NPS Photo/ Bruce Wright

 

 

Federal Firearms Law

Beginning February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park. The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, was enacted May 22, 2009 and will become effective February 22, 2010. Section 512 of this law, Protecting Americans from Violent Crimes, supersedes the uniform treatment of firearm possession in the national park system outside Alaska under the regulations found at 36 C.F.R. 2.4.

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park.

Federal law also prohibits firearms in federal facilities. The following park buildings are considered federal facilities:

Visitor Center
Administrative Office - Warren House
Blacksmith Shop
Granary
Draft Horse Barn
Curatorial Storage Facility
Resource Building
Maintenance Workshop
Warren Barn

Montana Overview

Open Carry Allowed
Handgun = Yes
Shotgun = Yes
Rifle = Yes
In Vehicle = Yes
Age Requirement = under 14 years old adult supervision required

Concealed Weapon Permit Required
Inside City/Town Limits = Yes
Outside City/Town Limits = No
Age Requirement = 18 years of age

Montana State Firearms Information
Concealed Weapons
Montana Department of Justice