Hiking Near Red Lodge, Montana

Red Lodge sits at 5,568 feet in a narrow valley carved by Rock Creek at the base of the Beartooth Mountains—one of the most dramatic alpine landscapes in the Northern Rockies. The Beartooth Highway begins just south of town and climbs to 10,947 feet on its way to Yellowstone National Park's northeast entrance, passing through a world of alpine tundra, glacial lakes, and granite peaks that rivals anything in the Lower 48. The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness (15 miles south) protects over 943,000 acres of alpine plateaus, peaks exceeding 12,000 feet, and more than 700 alpine lakes. With 13 trailheads within 50 miles, Red Lodge offers an unusual combination of in-town creek-side walks, high-alpine scrambles, and direct access to one of Montana's most spectacular wilderness areas. This guide organizes trails by distance from Red Lodge and covers seasonal considerations. For the full city profile, see our Red Lodge guide.

At a Glance

• 13 trailheads within 50 miles
• 364 recreation sites within 50 miles
• 1 wilderness area directly accessible: Absaroka-Beartooth (15 mi)
• 3 state parks within range
• 5 waterfalls within 50 miles
• Closest trailhead: Rock Creek trails, in town
• Closest wilderness: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, 15 miles
• National parks: Yellowstone (72 mi via Beartooth Highway)
• Ski area: Red Lodge Mountain (4 mi)
• Hot springs: 3 within 50 miles
• Scenic drive: Beartooth Highway (All-American Road), 15 miles to summit

In-Town & Urban Trails (Within 8 Miles)

Red Lodge's in-town hiking centers on Rock Creek, which flows through the heart of downtown before continuing north into the valley. Paved and gravel paths follow the creek through Lions Park and Coal Miners Park, offering easy walking, running, and family-friendly outings with views of the Beartooth front rising to the west. The benchlands above town provide informal trail networks with sweeping views south toward the Beartooth Plateau and east across the high plains of Carbon County. These lower-elevation routes stay accessible from early spring through late fall, though Red Lodge's 5,568-foot elevation means snow can linger into April and return by late October.

Day Hikes (8–30 Miles)

West Fork of Rock Creek (approximately 10 miles south) is one of the most popular hiking corridors near Red Lodge. The trail follows the West Fork upstream through dense forest and open meadows, gaining elevation steadily as it approaches the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness boundary. Strong hikers can continue to high alpine basins and lakes, including several of the 700+ lakes that dot the Beartooth Plateau. The trail is well-maintained and offers a genuine wilderness experience within a short drive of town.

The Beartooth Highway corridor provides access to some of the most spectacular high-alpine hiking in Montana. Once the highway opens (typically late May or early June), trailheads along the route access the Beartooth Plateau—the largest contiguous area above 10,000 feet in the Lower 48. Beartooth Lake, Island Lake, and Gardner Lake trailheads offer above-treeline hiking through a surreal landscape of alpine tundra, snowfields, and granite slabs with views stretching to the horizon in every direction. The terrain is exposed and weather can change rapidly at altitude—afternoon thunderstorms build regularly over the plateau, and snow is possible any month of the year.

Basin Lakes Trail (roughly 8 miles south) climbs through forest to a pair of alpine lakes set in a cirque beneath rugged peaks. The 6-mile round trip with about 1,500 feet of elevation gain makes it one of the most rewarding moderate day hikes near Red Lodge—popular on summer weekends but never as crowded as comparable trails near Bozeman or Missoula.

Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness (15 miles south) is one of the crown jewels of the American wilderness system—943,377 acres of alpine plateaus, granite peaks exceeding 12,000 feet (including Granite Peak, Montana's highest at 12,799 feet), and more than 700 alpine lakes. Red Lodge is the closest town to the wilderness's eastern front, giving hikers and backpackers direct access to the Beartooth Plateau from multiple trailheads along the West Fork of Rock Creek and the Beartooth Highway.

The Beartooth Plateau itself offers some of the most unique hiking terrain in the continental United States. Above treeline at 10,000+ feet, the landscape is tundra-like: rolling alpine grasslands, snowfields that persist into August, scattered granite tors, and hundreds of lakes ranging from small tarns to substantial bodies of water. Multi-day backpacking routes traverse the plateau from trailhead to trailhead, with opportunities for extended solitude in a landscape that feels more like the Arctic than the Lower 48. The Beaten Path trail (approximately 26 miles point-to-point) is one of the classic Beartooth backpacking routes, traversing the heart of the wilderness through high passes and lake basins.

State Parks

Three state parks lie within range of Red Lodge, offering trail systems and interpretive experiences that complement the backcountry hiking. These parks provide accessible, family-friendly outings with maintained facilities—a welcome alternative to the more demanding alpine terrain of the Beartooth.

Seasonal Considerations

Spring (March–May): Lower-elevation trails along Rock Creek and the benchlands above town clear by mid-April in most years. The Beartooth Highway remains closed through spring—typically not opening until late May or early June depending on snowpack. West Fork trails hold snow at higher elevations into June. Avalanche risk persists on steep terrain through May. Spring is quiet and uncrowded, with wildflowers appearing in the creek bottoms by late May.

Summer (June–August): Peak season. The Beartooth Highway opens and unlocks access to the high-alpine trailheads on the plateau. Alpine lakes and above-treeline trails are typically clear by mid-July, though snow patches persist on north-facing slopes all summer. Temperatures in Red Lodge reach the upper 70s to low 80s°F, but the plateau at 10,000+ feet is dramatically cooler—frost is possible any night. Afternoon thunderstorms build over the mountains regularly; be off exposed ridgelines and the plateau by early afternoon. Wildfire smoke can affect visibility in late July and August.

Fall (September–October): Many locals consider this the finest hiking season near Red Lodge. Warm days, cool nights, and dramatically reduced crowds make for ideal conditions. The Beartooth Highway typically closes for the season in mid-October. Aspens blaze gold in the creek drainages, and the high country takes on a dusting of early snow against deep blue skies. Hunting season begins in October—wear blaze orange on national forest trails.

Winter (November–March): Red Lodge Mountain ski area (4 miles west) provides downhill skiing from December through mid-April. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are available on the West Fork road and lower-elevation forest trails. The Beartooth Highway is closed, and high-alpine terrain is the domain of backcountry skiers and ski-mountaineers. In-town trails along Rock Creek remain accessible for winter walks, though temperatures in January average highs of 31°F and lows of 17°F.

Trail Safety

The Red Lodge area is grizzly bear habitat—the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness supports grizzly and black bear populations, and encounters are possible on any backcountry trail. Carry bear spray on every hike, travel in groups, make noise, and store food properly. Mountain lions are present in the foothills. Altitude is a distinctive Red Lodge hiking consideration—trails on the Beartooth Plateau regularly exceed 10,000 feet, and visitors arriving from lower elevations should acclimatize before attempting strenuous high-altitude hikes. Weather above treeline can change within minutes; carry layers, rain gear, and be prepared to turn back. Cell service is limited to nonexistent in the wilderness and along much of the Beartooth Highway—carry a map, tell someone your plans, and be self-sufficient.

For more outdoor activities, see our Red Lodge fishing guide and the Red Lodge weekend itinerary.