Trails and Recreation
Nestled up against the Beartooth Mountains, Red Lodge is a basecamp for adventure and recreation. Whether it’s a few steps out of your door in town or up the Beartooth Highway, recreational opportunities abound.
The City of Red Lodge has a vision for developing a system of trails called the Rocky Fork Trail System for the purposes of alternative transportation, recreation, active lifestyles, safe routes to schools/parks, and historical interpretation. Working with partners like the Beartooth Recreational Trails Association (BRTA), trail opportunities are identified within the city limits and greater Red Lodge area. For more information about the plan, visit the Parks Board Page.
Trails (in town)
Coal Miners Park Trail (0.6 miles) – Initially constructed in 1994 with help from the Montana Conservation Corps, this short trail meanders through the park.
Red Lodge Airport Trail Welcome to the newest segment of the Rocky Fork Trail System. Enjoy this 3 Mile Loop around the Red Lodge airport, rodeo grounds, and fairgrounds. Feel free to walk, bike or horseback the trail. Trailheads are at the Rodeo Grounds entrance off Hwy 78; on White Ave. near the airport hangars; and at 15th and McGillen streets, west of the elementary school.
Trails (out of town)
Just a few miles out of town lie trails on the West Fork of Rock Creek like the Willow Creek Trail, Nichols Creek Trail, Palisades Trail, and Silver Run Trail System; Main Fork of Rock Creek like Glacier Lake and Parkside; or other Beartooth hikes like Mount Maurice, Lake Fork, Face of the Mountain, or Meeteetse Trails. For more information on these trails, visit BRTA’s website or the Custer-Gallatin Forest Service website.
Snowsports
Red Lodge Nordic Center, Red Lodge Mountain, and Silver Run Cross Country Ski Forest Service trails offer countless winter recreational opportunities. At Lions Park, the Red Lodge Ice Rink is managed by a group of volunteers.
Water Sports
Rock Creek flowing through Red Lodge offers opportunities to fish and paddle. The town offers various access points for fishermen, be sure to review fishing regulation and license information on the Montana Fish Wildlife Parks Website.
Other Recreational Opportunities
Golfing, Disc-Golf (Coal Miners Park), Volleyball (Lions Park), Tennis (Field School Park), Baseball (Coal Miners Park), Basketball (Lions Park), Horse-shoes (Lions Park), Biking (Pedal United is the local biking association group).
Annual Events
The town of Red Lodge and the surrounding area is home to various annual races like the Nitty Gritty Off-Road Race, Beartooth Run, Grizzly Peak Turn, Pedal & Burn, Red Lodge Fun Run for Charities, Cycle Greater Yellowstone, Beartooth Rally, Cruise Red Lodge, and more!
