Before Summer Slips Away; Family Fun in Montana's Yellowstone Country
Buses of Yellowstone, photo by Mervin Coleman
The gap is closing in on Back-to-School time. The last mad dash for summer fun before the return of a routine. But don’t hang up your swimsuits and sun hats just yet; there’s still time for some family adventures, outdoor shenanigans and plenty of ice cream to savor. We’ve got ideas…
Stunning Scenery in Red Lodge
Nestled at the base of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Red Lodge is one of the most quintessential mountain towns in Montana. The historic buildings hold boutiques, art galleries and the iconic Montana Candy Emporium, full of all your old-time favorites.
The Beartooth Highway stays open until mid-October, weather permitting, and the Buses of Yellowstone offer a relaxing way to enjoy the views. Tours are reservation-only and take place on an all-original 1936/1937 Model 706 Yellowstone Park Bus, and when the weather is good, they roll the canvas top back so you can stand up and take in the views!
Red Lodge Mountain offers a Lift/Lunch package with scenic chair rides to the top of the mountain, followed by lunch at the Bierstube, which has a great deck! Mountain biking is allowed on the mountain, and the trails are maintained; however, it is not lift-served biking, you’ll have to get uphill the old-fashioned way!
Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is home to bears, cats, foxes, raptors and other animals that can no longer survive in the wild. It’s fascinating (and educational!)
End the day at Red Lodge Pizza Co., where you’ll enjoy delicious pizza, salads and their famous ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookie topped with ice cream and covered in chocolate.
Red Lodge Pizza Co, photo by Breshell West
Outdoor Adventure in Gallatin Canyon, West Yellowstone and Yellowstone National Park
Start your adventure in Gallatin Canyon, where you can go whitewater rafting or zip lining on the Gallatin River. I suggest leaving time for a side trip to Big Sky Resort to ride the Lone Peak Tram to the Kircliff Observatory. You may want to enjoy dinner on the deck at The Riverhouse BBQ.
Plan to stay the night in West Yellowstone, where you can easily enter Yellowstone National Park. The West end is home to the majority of the world’s geysers, along with most of the hot pots and fumaroles in the park, and the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center and the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center. The Firehole River, which is slightly warmer than most mountain rivers due to geological heating, is a popular swimming hole.
Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is another fantastic Wildlife Sanctuary with river otters and raptors, in addition to the bears and wolves. ATV/OTV tours are another popular experience, with hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails and mining roads. If you like a slower pace, horseback riding is another great option that the whole family can enjoy.
View from Kircliff Observatory, Big Sky Resort, photo by Abbie Mikkelson
Relaxing Days in Belgrade and Three Forks
If you’re looking for a relaxing adventure, Belgrade and Three Forks are great areas for families to explore. Belgrade Community Coalition hosts Belgrade Summer Nights throughout the summer, with live music, food trucks, vendors and kids’ activities. Lewis and Clark Park also has a public playground, tennis courts and a fun splash pad for an afternoon of cooling off!
Down the road in Three Forks, Missouri Headwaters State Park and Madison Buffalo Jump State Park are both interesting historical points. Lewis and Clark camped on the banks of the Missouri, and you’ll find interpretive signage along the trail. It’s also a great place to camp, canoe, fish and picnic. At Madison Buffalo Jump, you can see where Native Americans ran herds of bison off the limestone cliff for food, shelter, clothing and other provisions.
Headwaters Trail is 12 miles of paved trail in and around Three Forks and perfect for biking. Three Forks Ponds are popular for paddle boarding, canoeing and fishing. And if you’re a golfer, Headwaters Golf Course is a lovely 9-hole course with fantastic views.
For dinner, Woolzie’s Willow Creek Café and Saloon is just down the road, in Willow Creek. They’re known for their ribs, topped with your choice of signature sauce: Carolina Gold, smoked onion or Kung Pao.
Sacajawea Hotel, photo by Kaden Harrison
If you’re staying the night, the historic Sacajawea Hotel has a charming wraparound porch, plus quaint cabins that are great for families.
We hope you make the most of the remaining summer days!