Billings, Montana, known as the "Magic City," serves as a gateway to both historical landmarks and vast mountain ranges.
The Rimrocks: These iconic sandstone cliffs offer panoramic views of the city. You can hike, bike, or rock climb in areas like Zimmerman Park or Four Dances Recreation Area, which is particularly scenic at sunset. If you’re wanting to see vast spaces and multiple mountain ranges, drive up Airport Road, which is just 10 minutes from the test grounds.
Pictograph Cave State Park: Located just five miles south of Billings, this park features three caves with prehistoric rock art dating back over 2,000 years.
ZooMontana: A 70-acre wildlife park and botanical garden focusing on animals from the 45th parallel, including Amur tigers, grizzly bears, and wolverines.
Little Bighorn Battlefield (1 hour east): A national monument memorializing the 1876 battle between the U.S. Army and Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne warriors.
Pompeys Pillar (30 mins east): This massive rock formation features the only remaining physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark Expedition—the signature of William Clark carved into the sandstone.
Red Lodge (1 hour south): If you’re looking for a bucket list day trip, visit the small mountain town of Red Lodge. Red Lodge is known for its historic charm, lively main street, and welcoming cafés. It is the beginning of Beartooth Pass, the highway that winds upward into the Absaroka and Beartooth ranges, climbing sharp curves and steep switchbacks that reveal jaw-dropping vistas.
Beartooth Highway: (1 hour south) Often called one of the most beautiful drives in America, this high-mountain road leads into the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The Beartooth Highway (U.S. Highway 212) is a 68-mile scenic drive connecting Red Lodge, MT, to Yellowstone National Park's northeast entrance, peaking at 10,947 feet near Beartooth Pass. For visitors to Billings, this experience stands above the rest. This All-American Road offers more than a route through the mountains. It delivers an unforgettable adventure into Montana’s wild side. Driving to the Summit, which is about halfway, still gives you an incredible experience and unbelievable views. Be sure to hit Rock Creek vista point for 360° views of the Beartooth and Absaroka mountain ranges. This highway is open from Memorial Day until October.
Road Conditions
September. Check for any closures as weather changes drastically and pick the clearest, sunny day for your drive! Road conditions- Beartooth Highway | Montana Department of Transportation (MDT)