Red Lodge, Montana Area Information

Welcome to Red Lodge, Montana

Red Lodge, Montana is situated in southern Montana, neighboring Wyoming's northern border. This quaint and delightful community of nearly 2,300 people offers a fresh breath of clean air from the fast-pace life most of us are more familiar with.

Red Lodge is located an hour’s drive southwest of Billings Montana, at the base of Beartooth Pass. A spectacular drive over the Beartooth Highway brings you to Cooke City Montana, the town of Silver Gate, and the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Granite Peak, Montana's tallest mountain, is nearby. Red Lodge Ski Resort (6 miles from our town homes) and outstanding area for fly fishing, hunting, and hiking draw outdoor enthusiasts in both summer and winter.

Red Lodge is a pleasant historic mining town of approximately 2,300 residents in a traditional mountain setting at the base of the Beartooth Mountains. Red Lodge is host to all four seasons! With its Mountain setting and a variety of wildlife, Red Lodge is just 68 miles to Yellowstone National Park along America's most scenic byway, the Beartooth Highway and only an hour from Billings, Montana's largest city.

At 5,555 feet, Red Lodge brings you Red Lodge Mountain Ski Resort offering some of the best skiing in the Rockies. With 1,600 acres of ski-able terrain, Red Lodge Mountain has skiing available for all skill levels in addition to downhill and cross-country skiing, snow boarding, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

Our summers are also loaded with fun. Hiking, horseback riding, biking, camping, fishing, 18-hole golf course, petting zoo, tennis courts, museum, art galleries, public pool and even a public library. From sled rides in the winter to horse drawn wagon rides in the summer … don't just say you're coming … be here!

Red Lodge is the perfect balance of all four sessions and a great choice of outdoor activities in the wonderful presence of the Beartooth Mountains. Relax with a round of Golf or enjoy Fishing beside the creek running through our property at Island of Rock Creek.

Take in the beautiful surroundings with hiking or camping trips. The sightseeing cannot be beat in the Red Lodge Area – gaze upon mountains, streams, the plateau of the Beartooth summit, Cody Wyoming, or driving through to Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole Wyoming.

Explore the Red Lodge Area on Horseback, Biking or maybe an ATV. Take advantage of our natural beauty and enjoy Climbing, Hiking, Whitewater Rafting, Fishing, and yes Hunting. You can also enjoy activities in town with something for everyone – swimming, tennis, skateboarding and golf.

Our winters are equally enjoyable. Why do families of skiers and snow boarders keep returning to Red Lodge, Montana?

Sure, the 69 runs on 2400 feet of Rocky Mountain vertical at the Red Lodge Ski Resort will entice any winter sports enthusiast to try the mountain once. But there’s something special that keeps bringing people back year after year – the Western Hospitality of the Town of Red Lodge. Nestled at the foot of the Beartooth Mountains, Red Lodge’s historic downtown features unique shops, restaurants and hotels, and offers a variety of family-oriented activities.

RED LODGE AREA - PARKS

Yellowstone National Park

One can travel to Yellowstone on US 212, Red Lodge to Cooke City/Silver Gate via the Beartooth Scenic Byway. The world's first National Park is renowned for its spouting geysers, mineral pools, bubbling mud cauldrons, canyons, rivers and lakes, cascading waterfalls and abundant wildlife. Yellowstone encompasses 2.2 million acres of scenic beauty. Accommodations in the park are open mid May-October and December-March. Yellowstone reservations can be made by calling 307-344-7311.

Beartooth Scenic Byway

US 212 from Red Lodge to Yellowstone National Park. Designated a National Forest Scenic Byway, the Beartooth Highway has been described by CBS correspondent, Charles Kuralt, as "the most beautiful road in America". Reaching heights of nearly 11,000 feet, this 69-mile drive offers sky top views of snow-capped peaks, glaciers, alpine lakes and plateaus. Pristine air, unique alpine vegetation and breathtaking scenery make this 2-hour drive an unforgettable trip through Beartooth Country. Download Map

Chief Joseph Scenic Highway

Highway 296 from Wyoming 120 to US 212 through the beautiful sunlight Basin overlooking the spectacular Clark's Fork Canyon. Watch for wildlife.

Hellroaring Plateau

Take Highway 212 south of Red Lodge to Parkside Campground. Cross Rock Creek and take the gravel road south. Good fishing and beautiful scenery await you.

Meeteetse Trail

This scenic 4WD road began as an Army supply trail in 1881 that started at Meeteetse, Wyoming came through Red Lodge and continued on to Coulson (now Billings). The road brought the first mail, supplies and settlers the 100 mile distance from Meeteetse to Red Lodge and was originally called the "100 Mile Route". Several years after its opening, stage coaches began to travel the Meeteetse regularly. To retrace the steps of the past, take Highway 212 3/4 miles south of Red Lodge and take the gravel road angling southeast and across Rock Creek. You will come out on Hwy 72 near the Montana-Wyoming border.

Welcome to creek side living with mountain views in beautiful Red Lodge Montana.

See NY Times article on Red Lodge!

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RED LODGE AREA PARKS

RED LODGE AREA - FACTS

POPULATION - According to the most recent census, the population of Red Lodge is 2,300. Including the surrounding area, the population approaches 2,500.

ECONOMY - Carbon County was named for the vast coal deposits underlying the county. Coal mining was the major industry for many years. Agriculture, recreation and tourism are major contributors to the present day economy. Over 240 businesses are located in Red Lodge, including many professional offices. A first class post office and health facilities add vital services to the business community. The largest employers are Red Lodge Mountain Ski Area, health facilities, schools and the county.

ALTITUDE AND WEATHER - The elevation of Red Lodge is 5,555 feet. The annual rainfall in the area is 22 inches. Red Lodge, in a sample 30 year period, averaged only 3 days per year with maximum of 90 degrees or warmer and 26 days a year of temperatures of zero or colder. Red Lodge snowfall averages 52 inches per year, and there is an average of 105 frost-free days between June and September.

TRANSPORTATION - Red Lodge is situated 60 miles south of Billings. Car rentals are available in Billings at Logan International Airport or through your travel agency. Car rentals are available at Clark's Transportation and at Anderson Chevrolet, Pontiac and Oldsmobile.

AIRPORT - 4,000 feet of paved runway; lighted VASI; NDR 2 miles north; Unicom- 122.8; tie down facilities; 80 and 100 octane. The Red Lodge Airport is five minutes from the town of Red Lodge.

PUBLIC INFORMATION AND REST ROOMS - The Red Lodge Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Center is located on the north side of Red Lodge where one will find information, rest rooms and public telephones. Beartooth IGA also offers public restrooms and a public telephone. Red Lodge True Value also offers public restrooms.

ACCOMMODATIONS - A variety of accommodations include seven motels, four condominiums, a historic hotel, bed and breakfast lodgings, and furnished guest homes available by the day or week. There are two private campgrounds with water, electricity, pumping station and showers. More than 700 units are available at nearby National Forest campgrounds.

DINING - Red Lodge has more restaurants per capita than any other community in Montana. It offers everything from fast food service to the most elegant dining at several exceptional restaurants. Red Lodge is appreciated by patrons in northern Wyoming, Billings and other surrounding areas for its fine dining.

RECREATION - Red Lodge Mountain Ski Area, six miles from Red Lodge, is 9,416 ft. elevation with over 60 trails; 15 percent are beginner, 55 percent are intermediate and 30 percent are advanced; a vertical drop of 2,400 feet, two high-speed detachable quad chairlifts, a triple chairlift, four double chairlifts, three chalets, ski equipment rentals, sales and child care center. Other attractions include snowmobiling, cross country skiing, fishing, hunting, hiking and camping in the Beartooth Mountains, horse-drawn wagon rides in summer and sled rides in winter, swimming pool, Beartooth Nature Center, which includes a children's petting zoo, saunas, racquetball court, 9- and 18-hole golf courses, public and private tennis courts, museum, Arts Guild, art galleries and the public library.

Content provided by:
Red Lodge Montana Chamber of Commerce