What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Swords Park Trail
Swords Park Trail is in Billings along the rims south of Airport Road. It offers stunning views of the Yellowstone River Valley. There are several park benches along the trail where you can sit and watch wildlife.
Length: 2 miles
Intensity: Easy
Jim Dutcher Trail
The Jim Dutcher Trail starts in Billings Heights on Mary Street east of Bench Boulevard. It follows old railroad beds through Two Moon Park before dropping down to run alongside the Yellowstone River at Coulson Park before ending at Mystic Park.
Length: 6.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Stewart Park Trail
Stewart Park Trail starts on Central Avenue in Billings. It runs through Stewart Park around the ballfields before ending on Monad Road. This hard-surface trail is short and is a great place to stretch your legs while your children enjoy the ballfields.
Length: 0.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
Fishing and Boating
Yellowstone River is a fantastic place to go trout fishing. Anglers can catch brown, cutthroat, and rainbow trout by floating large nymphs or attractors downstream. Some of the best fishing is in the late summer in feeder creeks near their junctions with the main river.
Climbing
Bouldering is popular in the Rimrocks around Billings. Phipps Park can be a great place to begin, but rockslides have forced officials to label some areas off-limits. Another fantastic choice is Zimmerman Park, especially if you enjoy short wall climbs. If you prefer to not climb on sandstone, head to East Rosebud, where you will find numerous climbing routes with easy road access. Alternatively, if you want longer ascents, West Rosebud is a terrific place to go climbing.
Wildlife Viewing
The Montana Audubon Center is a terrific place to see wildlife. While the 722-acre facility is open to the public from dawn to dusk, check out some of their special programs. There are great options for preschoolers, adults, and families. You are likely to see many different bird species, including bald eagles, and deer when visiting. You may even spot a black bear or bighorn sheep.
Picnicking
Pictograph State Park is a fantastic place for a picnic. Leave time to enjoy this park's museum, which is filled with over 30,000 artifacts, including Native American stone tools, weapons, paintings, and instruments. You will also want to go caving in one of the three caves at this park.