The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Sundance Lodge Recreation Area, near the confluence of the Yellowstone and the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River, is an area of Montana that you will enjoy exploring if you like hiking, birdwatching, horseback riding, or pheasant hunting. This area is about 157 miles northeast of Yellowstone National Park and 357 miles northeast of Grand Teton National Park. It was made public in 1997 through a joint effort from the Bureau of Land Management, Nature Conservancy, and the Yellowstone Chapter of Pheasants Forever to provide public access to the Clarks Fork.
While Sundance Lodge Recreation Area is a day-use area, you can find many opportunities to camp in Bureau of Land Management campgrounds nearby. These places are open to the public, and it makes sense to take advantage of the 14 days of free camping out of a rolling 28 days. While you will need to boondock at many of the free sites, others have limited hookups and charge nominal fees. As in other areas of the country, you can save money while camping by googling BLM camping near me and staying at one of these incredible places.
This trail starts in the staging area at Sundance Lodge Recreation Area. It offers a beautiful opportunity to see various bird species. This easy-to-follow trail is a loop that will bring you back to the starting point.
Length: 3.0 miles
Intensity: Easy
The first part of this out-and-back trail runs steadily uphill through woods and along the side of a creek. Then hikers need to scramble across some boulder fields before topping a hill. From there, visitors can enjoy a beautiful view of the lake and see if they can spot any moose.
Length: 5.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
A favorite year-round hike is the Silver Falls Trail. In the winter, you can often see ice climbers along this route. This relatively flat out-and-back trail ends at Lost Lake. It makes a great family hiking destination, especially in the summertime when you are likely to see moose.
Length: 4.4 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River is a fantastic place to fish. You can catch rainbow trout, brown trout, and rainbow cutthroat trout throughout the year. This river is also a great place to go on a rafting expedition.
The Billings Rimrocks above the Gregory subdivision is a great place to climb. You will have to walk along a short trail to get to this bolted climbing location. There are climbs for many different ability levels to the west and east of the trail. Most of the rocks in the area are sandstone.
You can find several opportunities to spot wildlife along the Beartooth Pass – All American Highway, which runs through nearby Custer Gallatin and Shoshone national forests. Consider the observation deck at Vista Point, where you can often spot bears in the distance. You may also see elk, bison, mountain goats, mule deer, and moose. Note that this highway is usually only open from June to October.
Pictograph Cave State Park is a beautiful place for a picnic. Start by seeing the visitors' center artifacts, including many that are over 2,500 years old. After your picnic, go hiking on the trails to view over 100 pictographs. This park is also home to three caves that you can access from a short nature trail.
While you can't RV camp at the Sundance Lodge, you can find RV camping opportunities in nearby Billings. You may want to camp at Yellowstone River RV Resort and Campground, which is very near the center of the city. Billings KOA Holiday, the oldest continuously operating KOA campground, is another great campground, and so is Itch-Kep-Pe Park, located in nearby Columbus, Montana.
The closest Bureau of Land Management free camping opportunity to the Sundance Lodge is the Acton Recreation Area, located about 18 miles north of Billings. You can also go boondocking at Two Leggins, situated along the Big Horn River near Hardin. You can also boondock west of the main building at The Fort at Rockvale Casino Sports Bar & Grill near Joliet.
It is vital to plan for the weather before heading to Sundance Lodge Recreation Area because it is prone to flash flooding after heavy rainfall. Therefore, you should watch the weather in the surrounding area for a couple of days before you arrive. Ensure that no significant rains have fallen because it can cause the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River to come up out of its banks. If that happens, you'll need to choose a different location to visit. While you are visiting, keep an eye on the sky. If a thunderstorm is forming, leave the area and seek higher ground.
You can have so much fun at Sundance Lodge Recreation Area, especially when you bring along those you love. Spending time together in the great outdoors is a fantastic way to build memories. Before you leave for your adventure, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
The Sundance Lodge Recreation Area is a great place to experience nature, and you do not want to mess it up for the person coming behind you, never mind future generations. Therefore, ensure you carry all your trash out with you and otherwise strive to "leave no trace" of your visit there.
It is easy to reach Sundance Lodge Rec. Area by taking Interstate 90 West from Billings. Take Exit 434. Get on US 212/US 310. Turn left on Thiel Road, and the destination will be on your left in 1.3 miles.
Address: Sundance Lodge Rec. Area, 2424 Thiel Road, Laurel, Montana 59044
Ready to visit Sundance Lodge Rec. Area? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
