About Red Lodge, Montana

The Island at Rock Creek is an opportunity to own a piece of Montana in the historic mining town of Red Lodge. The remarkably unspoiled natural beauty, fresh clean air, and the enjoyment of four seasons, make Red Lodge Montana’s best kept secret. With approximately 2,300 residents, it is the perfect balance of all four sessions and a great choice of outdoor activities. Western hospitality greets you and will keep you coming back to Red Lodge year after year. 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.

Summer may find you strolling the beautiful shops and galleries downtown, hiking, rafting, camping, fishing, enjoying 18-holes of golf course, playing tennis or just chilling at a local microbrewery. Explore the Red Lodge area on horseback, grab a bike or even get a little adventurous on an ATV.

At an elevation of 9,416 feet and over 60 runs, Red Lodge brings you Red Lodge Mountain Ski Resort with some of the best skiing around. Accommodating all skill levels, there is terrain for downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

The Custer National Forest is a haven for wildlife including elk, moose, mountain goats, big horn sheep, bears (black and grizzly), mountain lions and wolves. Golden marmots are often seen dashing across the trails. Golden and bald eagles often visit our area, as well as sandhill cranes and blue herons.

Surrounding Area

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. In summer, stunning Beartooth Pass opens. With high mountain vistas, rocky cliffs, and jeweled lakes, the 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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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