Summer Information For Red Lodge Area In Montana






Sep 5, 08

Red Lodge Area
Montana

A Gateway to Yellowstone Park

Red Lodge is located at the base of the Beartooth Mountain Range and is the northeast gateway to Yellowstone National Park.

It is thought the town's name came from the Crow Indians. A Crow summer camp was located here and there was a tribe of Crow called the Red Lodge Clan because it covered its teepees with the red clay found here.

The town itself didn't start until the Europeans settled here. Red Lodge was established in 1884 and incorporated in 1892. Many historic buildings still remain.

Outdoor Opportunities

The mountain lakes, streams and rivers afford fantastic fishing opportunities, especially for trout fishing. Some popular spots include Big Horn, Boulder, Still water and Yellowstone rivers, Rock Creek, Hellroaring, Greenough and Wild Bill lakes, and Cooney Dam Reservoir. Boating is allowed at Big Horn and Cooney Dam reservoirs and Yellowtail Dam.

For the adventurous, the Rosebud, Stillwater, Yellowstone and Clark's Fork Rivers offer rafting. Floating down these waterways gives rafters a unique view of the region's spectacular scenery.

Hikers and mountain bikers will find endless trails, maintained roads and single-track trails winding through the vast wilderness.

If you'd like to see more, faster, take a drive on the Beartooth Scenic Highway. The 65-mile route takes you from Red Lodge to the northeastern entrance to Yellowstone. As you pass by waterfalls, snowcapped peaks and mountain streams, you'll rise in elevation from 5,650 feet to almost 11,000 feet.

The area has two golf courses, both challenging and with spectacular views. There is an 18-hole par 72 public course and the Elks Club 9-hole course.

Entertainment and Culture

Red Lodge is famous for its rodeo talent. The county is home to six world champions and several national champions. The Home of Champions Rodeo puts this talent to the test.

The rodeo is only one of the exciting events the town has to offer summer time visitors. The annual Festival of Nations shows off many cultures, including Scottish, Irish, English, Welsh, German, Finnish, Italian and Slavic.

The Carbon County Historical Museum gives visitors a glimpse at Red Lodge's past. The museum tells local history through American Indian, western, rodeo and coal mining exhibits.