Any traveler is lucky to visit Yellowstone National Park, spanning parts of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. Days spent exploring the national park are exciting and epic. However, they can be tiring, and picking the right place to spend the rest of your trip is important.
Red Lodge is a short drive away from the northeast entrance of Yellowstone Park, a gateway to Beartooth Highway. Pick this spot as your homebase and strike the perfect balance between a spectacular expedition and restful oasis.
Where to Stay
The breathtaking views and history of Red Lodge are captured perfectly at the Rock Creek Resort, made up of five lodging buildings built over time. At its start, the resort housed ski racers from the top of the Beartooth Pass. Now, visitors can book from a diverse selection individual rooms, townhomes and cabins located on Rock Creek.
For a cozy and intimate option, stay at the Irish Rose Bed & Breakfast. This B&B offers more than just a place to rest. The owners, Gordon and Leah Gallagher, seek to share the beauty of Yellowstone Country with guests through customized itineraries, full breakfast and relaxing spaces to spend downtime.
What to Do
Depending on the time of year you visit, Montana has a wide variety of outdoor activities to enjoy. In cold months, skiing is a great option. Red Lodge Mountain has 70 runs with options available for any proficiency level. For warmer weather, the Lake Fork Trailhead is the perfect choice for a scenic hike along the creek.
Other activities in the area include the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, where tours and animal encounters impress visitors of all ages. The sanctuary is home to wildlife native to the area, including a bobcat, black bear, bison and more. Nearby, the Red Lodge Mountain Golf Course is full of twists and turns offering the perfect challenge to golfers. Check out the Toptracer Range, a state-of-the-art system that uses cameras to trace your drive and provide statistics.
The Red Lodge Rodeo Grounds host the Home of Champions Rodeo, which is celebrating 95 years of riding this year. Each July, the rodeo takes place, but the grounds are used year-round for other events. Music lovers can head to Jimmy’s Roadhouse, where a small venue offers ample entertainment.
What to Eat and Drink
Breakfast at Cafe Regis will start your adventurous day the right way. Located inside Regis Grocery, this hidden gem impresses visitors and locals with great portions and service. Anything on their menu is delicious, but standouts include the eggs caldera, chili verde omelet and corn cakes.
Carbon County Steakhouse is an impressive meal, perfect for any celebration or nice occasion. Steak is the star of this spot, but the grilled caesar salad and brussel sprouts are necessary accompaniments. To drink, we recommend the Rosemary Old Fashioned and Huckleberry Martini.
Red Lodge’s quaint downtown is packed with restaurants that double as places to sit down for a drink or two. Natali’s Front Bar is located inside Red Lodge Pizza Co. and is the perfect place for a casual drink with friends. Indoor and patio seating options are available for enjoying any of the 17 beers on tap. Black Canyon Bistro has an elevated atmosphere with great service, signature cocktails and an extensive beer and wine list.
Prerogative Kitchen puts an unusual twist on dinner in Red Lodge. Ranked Best Takeaway Food in the city by Restaurant Guru, they have a rotating menu of a la carte items to choose from. Whether you pick the risotto sliders, summer salad or just stop in for a drink, the eccentric design of this spot is worth seeing.
What to Wear
Venture to Red Lodge with a suitable wardrobe that can take you from a daytime expedition to a night on the town. The McKay Crewneck is a comfortable long sleeve option for the outdoors, and the Venture Performance Quarter-Zip Vestcompliments it, giving you an additional layer of warmth. Throw on the Awbrey Performance Sport Shirt for dinner and drinks and enjoy!
