Red Lodge Travel Guide
City Gateway to Beartooth Highway and mountain recreation
Red Lodge’s Broadway is a timber-and-brick gateway to the Beartooth Highway; riders follow mountain passes, anglers stalk trout, and winter brings a small ski hill with big views.
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Why Visit Red Lodge? #
A ranching town that functions as the gateway to the Beartooth Highway and high‑country adventures. Red Lodge’s historic downtown mixes saloons and galleries, Red Lodge Mountain delivers dependable snowfall and summer lift‑served biking, and the Beartooth Pass is one of the nation’s most scenic drives into Yellowstone country. Annual events such as the Red Lodge rodeo underscore its Western roots, attracting travelers who want big‑sky landscapes and local character.
Best Things to Do in Red Lodge
Red Lodge Bucket List
- Red Lodge Mountain - Year-round resort with downhill skiing, mountain biking, and lift-accessed trails.
- Beartooth Highway (US-212) - Scenic alpine drive connecting Red Lodge to the Beartooth Plateau and Yellowstone.
- Downtown Red Lodge (Broadway Historic District) - Historic downtown with independent shops, restaurants, and western architecture and seasonal events.
- Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary - Certified sanctuary caring for rescued wolves, bears, and regional species with educational tours.
- Carbon County Historical Society Museum - Local history exhibits and reconstructed pioneer buildings in museum grounds.
- Scenic forest overlooks - Short roadside pullouts offering quiet viewpoints of the surrounding Beartooth foothills.
- Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness - Hiking, alpine lakes, and high-elevation trails across vast mountain landscapes.
- Yellowstone National Park (northeast access via Beartooth Highway) - Drive over the Beartooths into Yellowstone's northeast quadrant for wildlife viewing.
Best Time to Visit Red Lodge #
Red Lodge is best in summer for alpine hiking and scenic drives, or in fall for clear skies and elk rut viewing. Winters are snowy and offer excellent snowmobiling.
Best Time to Visit Red Lodge #
Red Lodge's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -12°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (586 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -10°C. The driest month with just 24 mm and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 6°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 99 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 5°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -11°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Red Lodge
Red Lodge is a gateway to Beartooth Highway and regional outdoor areas and is most conveniently reached by car from Billings or Bozeman. Public transport options are sparse; plan to rent a car or arrange a private transfer.
Billings Logan International (BIL): Billings is the primary commercial airport serving Red Lodge (about 1.5-2 hours’ drive). Rent a car at BIL for the highway drive south to Red Lodge; typical rental rates start around USD 50-100/day. Driving time is roughly 75-110 minutes depending on route and conditions.
Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN): Bozeman is another option (about 2-2.5 hours’ drive). Both Billings and Bozeman require driving for the final leg into Red Lodge-public transport options are limited.
Train: There is no direct Amtrak service to Red Lodge; the nearest Amtrak stations are some distance away (e.g., Whitefish on the Empire Builder route) and not practical for direct access.
Bus: Intercity bus service is limited; regional carriers and seasonal shuttles (for events and ski season) sometimes operate between Billings and Red Lodge-check local providers. For most visitors a rental car is the reliable option.
How to Get Around Red Lodge #
Red Lodge’s Broadway/Main Street is easy to walk on foot; galleries, restaurants and bars cluster there. Driving is recommended for visiting the Beartooth Highway, ski area or surrounding public lands-public transit is very limited in the region.
Where to Stay in Red Lodge #
- Red Lodge Inn - Basic, affordable rooms near downtown.
- Beesknees House (budget B&B) - Small B&B, economical rooms.
- The Pollard Hotel - Historic hotel in the heart of town.
- Absaroka Lodge - Comfortable rooms, near restaurants.
- Sage Lodge (Bozeman area) - Upscale lodge - nearest full-service luxury.
- Red Lodge Country Club Lodging - Upscale rental homes and cottages.
Where to Eat in Red Lodge #
- Beartooth Brewery & Pub - Local beers with pub classics
- Carbon County Steakhouse - Hearty steaks and comfort sides
- Downtown cafés and diners - Casual breakfasts and baked goods
- Local bakeries - Fresh pastries and morning coffee
- Seasonal ice cream stands - Treats for summer outings
- Independent cafés - Light lunches and sandwiches
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Red Lodge's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Red Lodge #
Nightlife is modest and town‑centered-local bars, breweries and restaurants host evenings rather than large clubs. Seasonal crowds boost activity during ski and summer months.
Shopping in Red Lodge #
Red Lodge offers a compact downtown shopping strip with galleries, outdoor shops and western‑themed stores tailored to tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. Expect small independent shops rather than chain retailers.
