Your Weekend Guide to Billings, MT For The Avid Outdoorsman
Being the largest city in the whole state, bordering the Yellowstone River and displaying the beautiful Rimrocks filled with hiking trails, Billings, Montana is the ultimate destination for outdoor junkies and offers endless opportunities for people to get outside and enjoy nature.
The city is filled with so much outdoor adventure, from fishing, to hiking, to horseback riding and even offroading, it’s almost impossible to fit everything into one single weekend, but if you plan your trip right, you can check most of your favorites off your list and enjoy some good food while you’re at it!
To help you plan the perfect weekend in Billings that’s catered to an avid outdoorsman, we’ve rounded up the best places to stay, things to do, sights to see and of course the best booze and bites along the way.
Pack your bags (and don’t forget your hiking gear) - Billings awaits.
Where to Stay
If you’re traveling to Billings with the intent to spend most of your time outdoors, where you stay might not be the thing you’re most concerned about.
Either way, you still want to have a cozy accommodation to welcome you back for plenty of rest after a day on the trails or in the river.
For this type of trip, I’d recommend:
Dude Rancher is a Billings staple that’s been around since 1950 providing casual and relaxing accommodations right in the heart of downtown Billings making many restaurants and breweries easily accessible after your days of adventure.
The lodge is pet friendly, so if you’re traveling with a furry friend Dude Rancher is a great choice!
If you’re looking to make your entire weekend the ultimate outdoor experience, look no further than one of Billings most popular campgrounds. The campground is perfect for those that are traveling road trip style with an RV or you can rent an onsite cabin for your stay.
AirBnb
If you want to feel a bit more at home with more amenities during your weekend trip to Billings, AirBnb is the way to go.
I’ve rounded up a few picks that perfectly match the vibe of an outdoor themed weekend, like this cozy cabin situated on the outskirts of Billings (perfect for a larger group!), another group friendly cabin located on 12 acres in Laurel and this modern farm stay with beautiful views!
Your Weekend Guide to Outdoor Adventure in Billings, Montana
As mentioned, it’s almost impossible to fit all of the amazing outdoor activities into one weekend in Billings, but this 3-day itinerary takes a pretty good stab at it!
By Sunday, you might be a bit tired, but your heart will be extremely full and I can almost bet that another trip to Billings will be on your bucket list.
Day 1 (Friday Evening):
Friday afternoon can be treated like your “free day” to get acquainted with the area and prepare for all of the fun that Saturday is going to bring.
As you make your way into Billings and settle into your stay of choice, I’d encourage you to make your first stop at Scheels.
This is our favorite outdoor store and is the best place to grab any last minute (or forgotten) necessities like hiking socks, fishing gear or other things that might make your adventures more enjoyable.
After you grab what you need, make the short drive over to Canyon Creek Brewing while you’re in the area. Canyon Creek is Billings first built from the ground up brewery and tap room, offering craft beers centered in an environment that’s the perfect place to cheers to a fun weekend ahead!
Depending on how you’d prefer to spend your first night in town, after enjoying a drink or two, you can go down the street to Ranch House to grab a few locally sourced meats to grill for a night in (and a few delicious snacks for your days ahead) OR you can grab dinner closeby at Montana’s Rib & Chop House.
This out west chain proudly proclaims their title of serving the best steak and seafood in Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Idaho. While I’m usually all for a local option, this one makes the cut as a true Montana staple!
Whatever you choose, make sure you rest up for what Saturday has in store!
Day 2 (Saturday):
Rise and shine! It’s adventure time. ☀️
And no solid adventure starts without fueling up with a hearty breakfast and one of the best places to do that is at Bernie’s in downtown Billings.
This fun spot provides your traditional diner experience with classic food favorites that mark the start of a great day. When you’ve got your fill on coffee, pancakes, eggs and bacon, let the fun begin!
Because the weather in Billings sometimes dictates what you can and can’t do, it’s best if I lay out all of your options and let you choose your own adventure based on what you see fit:
Fishing at Lake Elmo
Lake Elmo is a Billings classic recreation area that’s popular for swimming, fishing and paddle boarding.
If you plan to spend the majority of your day here, I’d recommend grabbing all of your picnic favorites to have for lunch at Off Main Deli & Bakery before you make your way to the park so you don’t have to leave once you get there!
Off roading at Ah Nei Recreation Center
This popular recreational facility located outside of Billings in Shepherd, MT offers 50 miles of trails on over 1,000 acres for off-roading, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking or even just picnicking!
It’s truly a one stop shop for all kinds of adventure and you could potentially spend the majority of your day here.
If you decide to do so, make sure you make a pit stop into Cowboys for lunch - this casual restaurant in Huntley, MT is situated right on the Yellowstone River with an amazing patio view and some of the best BBQ in town!
Mountain Bike at Zimmerman Park
Zimmerman Park is one of the most popular places to explore the famous Rimrocks in Billings and if you’re the biking type, it has great trails for all experience levels. You can rent a bike at Spoke Shop and have yourself a day!
Kayak on the Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River is one of the most popular attractions in Billings and there’s TONS of parks around town that make the river easily accessible.
You can grab a kayak rental at Sunshine Sports and put in at Riverfront or Coulson Park for a fun float when the weather permits!
Hike at Four Dances
If you want a quick hike that delivers incredible views, Four Dances is your spot. The 1.7 mile loop is open year-round, so even if you’re visiting when it’s a bit cooler, you can take advantage of this trail. The 30ish minute hike will give you a view like this!
Play disc golf at Phipps Park
Phipps is a popular park in Northwest Billings that offers all of your typical outdoor activities along with its unique disc golf experience.
If you’d had your fill of hiking, fishing and other traditional mountain activities, you can end your day with something a bit more casual while still taking in all of the scenery that Billings has to offer.
After a day filled to the brim with the activities of your choice, grab a treat from Soda Station and then take a breather at your cabin before heading back out to enjoy casual drinks and dinner at one of Billings most popular brewpubs, Diamond X.
This local favorite offers a true taste of Montana with local beer and wine paired with classic bites that are sure to satisfy after a day like yours!
Day 3 (Sunday Morning):
Before you close out your trip and make your way home, grab a coffee and donut (courtesy of Proof - my personal fave!) at Maple Moose and take one last nature stroll at Norm Schoenthal Island.
This prominent part of Riverfront Park has over two miles of trails and is a great place for you and your fur baby to run free before the travel day home.
This adventure-filled trip to Billings is perfect for solo travelers or a group of friends, so if you’re itching for a new place to explore, copy this blog link and send it to your favorite travel buddies.
It’ll be one to remember, that’s for sure!
See you soon. 🤩