A Getaway to Red Lodge, Montana!
Downtown Red Lodge, Montana
Tucked up at the base of the Beartooth Mountains, Red Lodge is an ideal mountain getaway. The vibe here is relaxed, residents greet you with genuine Western hospitality and are happy to share the outdoor playground they call home. Though spring is officially starting, this mountain town gets excellent snow, and there is still plenty of Nordic skiing at the Red Lodge Nordic Center.
Speaking of snow, the Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area is planning to open for the 2025 season, May 25- July 6 (weather permitting,) from 9 am- 3 pm daily. It is one of North America's oldest alpine ski training areas. Austrian skiers founded it in the mid-1960s as an alpine ski racing summer training ground. Open to the public, the summer ski area sits 10,000 feet above sea level, with 1,000 vertical feet of skiing. It's known for having some of the best steep headwall and cornice skiing around — (the terrain requires strong intermediate or expert skills, and a helmet is strongly recommended.) If you're not a skier or rider, and you're driving the Beartooth Highway, you can stop and watch; it's pretty thrilling!
The Beartooth Highway is scheduled to open May 23, and they'll likely begin plowing in late April. You can follow along at mdt.mt.gov. They generally post videos when they start plowing, and it's quite a feat to watch!
Although the area surrounding Red Lodge is a mountaineering mecca, the town is rich in Western Culture and a great place to enjoy fantastic food, art, culture, and community.
Carbon County Historical Society and Museum, Red Lodge, Montana
History and Culture
Red Lodge has a colorful history, with characters like Buffalo Bill Cody and Calamity Jane staying at The Pollard Hotel. In 1897, guests at the Pollard also witnessed The Sundance Kid rob the Red Lodge Bank. The hotel lobby is full of interesting information and relics from the past. You can also learn more about Red Lodge's history at the Carbon County Historical Society and Museum.
Carbon County Arts Guild and Depot Gallery offer rotating monthly exhibits, adult workshops, and youth art camps. Art in the Beartooths, a fundraiser for the Guild, culminates with a Quick-Finish live Auction on August 3. Twenty invited artists will demonstrate their art in real-time. Enjoy live music, food, drinks, and mingling with the artists!
The Red Lodge Clay Center is a fabulous stop for ceramic art enthusiasts. The gallery is open year-round and features rotating exhibitions with different artists. It also offers adult classes, workshops, and kids' clay camps, all of which are open to the public.
May through October (and December), the Red Lodge Art Walks occur on the second Saturday of the month. The family-friendly, self-guided event is a great way to explore downtown Red Lodge and enjoy local art.
Montana Candy Emporium, Photo by Jonathan Finch
Shopping
Of course, a trip to Red Lodge isn't complete without a stop at the Montana Candy Emporium, with its nostalgic mix of old-time candies and handmade favorites. But that isn't the only unique shopping in town. Babcock and Miles have an excellent selection of coffee, wine, craft beer, and charcuterie makings.
Kevin Red Star Gallery showcases the work of Crow artist Kevin Red Star, who uses brilliant colors and light to depict his Native culture. Other interesting stops include Beartooth Books, Southern Dish (kitchen and home goods), Back Alley Metals (custom metalwork), and The Cigar Lane, for those who enjoy a good cigar at the end of the day.
Piccola Cucina Ox Pasture, Photo by Taylar Robbins
Dining
One of our favorite things to experience on new getaways is sampling the local cuisine. One-legged Magpie is a fabulous choice for local food, craft cocktails, and SoberBird, their zero-proof cocktail program and curated non-alcoholic collection of beverages.
Piccola Cucina Ox Pasture is an authentic Italian restaurant by Chef Philip Guardione, who learned his craft from his Sicilian grandmother. Ox Pasture is one of three restaurants with locations in New York City and Ibiza, Spain.
Other fantastic choices include Black Canyon Bistro (where Montana meets the Mediterranean), The Wild Table (which also offers cooking classes and private catering), Café Regis (where stellar breakfasts are served all day), Carbon County Steakhouse (a classic steakhouse with great food, fine wine, and stiff cocktails), and Red Lodge Pizza Co. (a family favorite!).
Red Lodge Home of Champions Rodeo, Photo by Andy Austin
Summer Fun
Summer has a great lineup of events, starting with the Montana Renaissance Festival on June 7 and 8. It's a packed couple of days with live performances, music, raptors, and purveyors of food, libations, art, and crafts, all with a period flare.
Red Lodge Songwriter Festival, June 19-21, is a regional favorite. Twenty-six songwriters put on over forty performances across eight venues. It's up-close and intimate with those who have written music for some of the biggest legends of our time.
Of course, the PRCA Xtreme Bulls, Home of Champions Rodeo, Fourth of July Parades, and fireworks displays culminate into one of Montana's favorite weekends! Motorcycle enthusiasts will want to note the 31st annual Beartooth Rally and Iron Horse Rodeo July 17-20 and the 27th annual Beartooth Rendezvous BMW Motorcycle Rally August 14-16.
You'll also find a slew of fun runs, including gravel and road bike races and the Red Lodge Car Show in Red Lodge, Montana.
It's shaping up to be a great summer, so start planning now at redlodge.com.