Billings is Montana's largest city and sits in a landscape unlike any other trail town in the state. Instead of mountain peaks pressing against the skyline, Billings's defining geological feature is the Rimrocks — a dramatic 400-foot band of sandstone cliffs running along the city's entire northern edge, offering panoramic views across the Yellowstone River valley and the plains stretching to the Beartooth Mountains on the southern horizon. The hiking here is honest: Billings is not a mountain town, and there are no formal trailheads tracked in the state recreation database within city limits. But the city has genuine trail networks on and around the Rims, a 765-acre natural area above the Yellowstone River, and state parks with walking trails just minutes away. For serious mountain hiking, the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and its 12,000-foot peaks lie 67 miles southwest via the Beartooth Highway — one of the most spectacular drives in America. This guide covers the trails you can actually walk from Billings. For the full city profile, see our Billings guide.
At a Glance
- Signature landscape: The Rimrocks — 400-foot sandstone cliffs along the city's north edge
- Closest trail: Swords Rimrock Park, on top of the Rims within city limits
- Best nature area: Four Dances Natural Area, 765 acres above the Yellowstone River
- Urban trails: Norm Schoenthal Island, Phipps Park, Riverfront Park paths
- Closest state park: Lake Elmo State Park, 2 miles
- Rock art: Pictograph Cave State Park, 4 miles — 4,500-year-old pictographs
- Mountain hiking: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, 67 miles via Red Lodge
- Scenic drive: Beartooth Highway (US-212) — 10,947-foot summit, alpine trailheads
The Rimrocks & City Trails
The Rimrocks — locals call them simply "the Rims" — are Billings's most distinctive natural feature and the backbone of its trail system. These 400-foot sandstone cliffs stretch for miles along the city's northern boundary, carved by millions of years of erosion into a dramatic escarpment visible from nearly anywhere in town. Walking and biking paths run along the rim's edge, offering views across the Yellowstone Valley to the Beartooth Plateau and Crazy Mountains. Swords Rimrock Park sits atop the cliffs within city limits, with paved paths, picnic areas, and unobstructed panoramic views — it's the easiest access point to the Rims experience and a popular spot for sunset walks.
Four Dances Natural Area is Billings's premier trail destination — a 765-acre preserve on a sandstone promontory above a sweeping bend in the Yellowstone River, about 4 miles from downtown. The trail network winds through native grassland, ponderosa pine groves, and along cliff edges with views straight down to the river 300 feet below. Mule deer, raptors, and wild turkeys are common. The area is named for a Crow warrior and carries deep cultural significance for the Apsáalooke (Crow) people. Trails range from gentle grassland loops to steeper routes descending toward the river.
Norm Schoenthal Island is a Yellowstone River island accessible by footbridge, offering flat walking trails through cottonwood groves and wetland habitat in the middle of town — a peaceful nature walk minutes from downtown. Phipps Park, one of Billings's largest city parks, has multi-use trails winding through open space on the city's west side. The Yellowstone River Parks trail system connects several riverfront parks with paved and gravel paths along the river corridor, suitable for walking, running, and cycling.
State Parks With Trails
Lake Elmo State Park (2 miles) is Billings's closest state park — a 64-acre urban lake with a 1.2-mile walking trail circling the water. It's a popular after-work loop for runners and dog walkers, with views of the Rimrocks from the south shore. Swimming is permitted in summer, and the park offers a quick nature break without leaving the city.
Pictograph Cave State Park (4 miles south) is one of Montana's most significant archaeological sites and a genuinely compelling short hike. A paved interpretive trail leads to three sandstone caves containing pictographs — rock paintings created by prehistoric peoples over 4,500 years ago. The cave shelters yielded over 30,000 artifacts during excavation, making this one of the most important archaeological sites in the Northern Plains. The trail is under a mile but the cultural weight of the site makes it far more than a casual stroll.
Cooney State Park (36 miles southwest) wraps around Cooney Reservoir in the foothills south of Billings, with trails along the shoreline and through surrounding grassland. It's a day-trip destination combining hiking with fishing and swimming.
| State Park | Distance from Billings |
|---|---|
| Lake Elmo State Park | 2 mi |
| Pictograph Cave State Park | 4 mi |
| Cooney State Park | 36 mi |
Wilderness & Mountain Hiking
Billings's ace card for serious hikers is its proximity to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness — 944,000 acres of alpine terrain reaching 12,799 feet at Granite Peak, Montana's highest point. The wilderness lies 67 miles southwest, accessed via Red Lodge and the legendary Beartooth Highway (US-212), which climbs to 10,947 feet and is routinely called one of the most beautiful drives in America. Trailheads along the Beartooth Plateau access alpine lakes, glacier-carved cirques, and above-treeline ridgeline traverses. Popular day hikes from the highway include Beartooth Lake, Island Lake, and the Beaten Path trailhead — though many of these routes lead into multi-day backcountry that rivals anything in the Northern Rockies.
The Crazy Mountains (75 miles northwest) are a dramatic, isolated range rising abruptly from the prairie — sometimes called Montana's "island range" — with rugged alpine peaks, mountain lakes, and trails that see far less traffic than the Beartooth. Access is limited by private land, so check current trail access before heading out. For closer backcountry, the Bull Mountains and Pryor Mountains south of Billings offer less-traveled terrain through dry pine forests and canyon country, including the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range where feral horses roam free.
| Wilderness Area | Distance from Billings |
|---|---|
| Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness | 67 mi |
Seasonal Considerations
Spring (March–May): Billings's semi-arid climate and low elevation (3,120 feet) mean city trails clear early. The Rimrocks, Four Dances, and Phipps Park are hikeable year-round, with only brief muddy periods after snowmelt. Lake Elmo and Pictograph Cave trails are accessible by March. Beartooth Highway remains closed by snow until late May or early June — mountain trailheads above 8,000 feet are snow-covered well into June. Rattlesnakes emerge on south-facing slopes from April onward.
Summer (June–August): Billings is one of Montana's hottest cities — temperatures regularly reach the mid-90s°F and occasionally top 100°F. Hike early morning or evening on the Rims and city trails, where shade is limited. The Beartooth Highway opens (typically late May to mid-June) and alpine trailheads become accessible, offering cool high-elevation hiking while the city bakes. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the mountains. Wildfire smoke can affect air quality in late July and August. Carry extra water on all trails — the dry climate dehydrates faster than you expect.
Fall (September–October): The best hiking season around Billings. Temperatures moderate, the light turns golden on the Rimrocks, and the cottonwoods along the Yellowstone River blaze yellow. Four Dances Natural Area is at its most beautiful in early October. The Beartooth Highway typically closes for the season in mid-October after the first heavy snowfall, so September is the last window for alpine hikes. Hunting season begins in October — wear blaze orange on public lands outside city parks.
Winter (November–March): City trails remain accessible through winter, though wind along the Rimrocks can be brutal. Four Dances and Phipps Park trails see winter walkers on milder days. Beartooth Highway and all high-elevation trailheads are closed. Red Lodge Mountain ski area (60 miles) is the closest downhill skiing. The Rims offer dramatic winter scenery when dusted with snow, and the low-angle winter light on the sandstone cliffs is striking.
Trail Safety
Rattlesnakes are the primary trail hazard around Billings — prairie rattlesnakes are common on the Rimrocks, at Four Dances, and on south-facing slopes from April through October. Watch where you step and place your hands, especially on rocky outcrops and ledges. The cliff edges along the Rims and at Four Dances are unguarded in many places — the sandstone can be crumbly, and falls from the Rimrocks are occasionally fatal. Stay on established paths near cliff edges. Black bears are uncommon near Billings but present in the Beartooth Wilderness; carry bear spray on mountain hikes. Grizzly bears inhabit the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness — full bear precautions are essential. Dehydration is a real risk in Billings's hot, dry summers; carry more water than you think you need on every hike. Cell service is reliable on the Rimrocks and city trails but absent in the Beartooth backcountry.
For more outdoor activities, see our Billings fishing guide and the Billings weekend itinerary.