Red Lodge
Red Lodge (pop. 2,237) is a small, alpine village. At 5,562 feet in elevation, Red Lodge is a good place to stay cool when towns further out on the plains bake under the summer heat.
Huckleberry ice cream MontanaHuckleberry ice cream is so yummy. On the menu at Carbon Fork restaurant in Red Lodge. Photo courtesy Completely Delicious dot com.
The mountains and foothills near Red Lodge offer many outdoor recreational opportunities. Many made possible by the Beartooth Recreational Trails Association. Hikers have many trails to choose from. This organization also promotes bicycling and Nordic skiing.
The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary in Red Lodge is a popular attraction for tourists.
Red Lodge has wonderful events. Highly acclaimed is the Red Lodge Music Festival. Participants learn and enjoy: musical groups include wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, and orchestras. Talent shows, ball games and more make this event so enjoyable. Performances, by faculty and students, are scheduled for the general public and are held at the Red Lodge Civic Center Auditorium. 2021 season is cancelled due to Covid concerns.
The Home of Champions Rodeo is another annual event in Red Lodge. Parades add to the fun. Its quite spectacular and draws huge crowds. For 2021, the rodeo runs July 2-4.
The Red Lodge Antique Mall is on Main Street. This is a fairly large store with antiques of every description for sale.
Horseback riding is a popular activity in the Red Lodge area. You can choose Elk River Outfitters Horseback Rides (406) 860-3699 near Red Lodge or check out the horses at Whispering Winds Horse Adventures (406) 671-6836 near the town of Roberts about 10 miles north of Red Lodge. Always call ahead for “reservations.”
The Carbon County Steakhouse on Main Street has a wonderful dining atmosphere and cuisine is first-rate. A large wine selection is served. This is upscale dining Red Lodge, so don’t look at prices on the menu.
Red lodge Montana restaurantCarbon County Steakhouse. Alaska Golden King crab, Tortellini Pomodoro and more on the menu too. Red Lodge, Montana. Atmosphere alone is worth a visit here. Photo Courtesy Sandy Archives.
Marli’s at the Pollard Hotel is another good choice for upscale dining. In a completely renovated space, Marli’s serves breakfast and dinner. Stuffed Mushroom Ravioli is on the menu for $18; Dry Rub Saint Louis Ribs, $22. Bar service too. Try a Buffalo Jump Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka, Apple, Lemon, $8.25. Top Man, Old Forester 1897 Bonded Kentucky Bourbon, Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth, $15.
Locals and visitors enjoy tasty cuisine at the Carbon Fork Restaurant in downtown Red Lodge. Try their Huckleberry ice cream for dessert, so good. There’s a lot to love at the Carbon Fork. Foster & Logan’s Pub & Grill on Main Street is another spot to have a good meal. A special at Foster and Logan’s is a Folo’s Dog, a 1/4 pound all beef hot dog with extras for only $7.95. Bogart’s serves a variety of Mexican food.
For a tradition pub atmosphere, go to the Snag Bar. A beer at the Snag goes for $3.00, a burger $8.00. A pool table and a few video gaming machine attract some visitors to the Snag Bar.
The Rock Creek Resort (1-800-667-1119) is located a few miles south of Red Lodge on U.S. Highway 212. The nearby Old Piney Dell Restaurant and Bar is a favorite dining spot for locals. The restaurant has a very rustic setting, along the banks of Rock Creek.
Tourists like souvenirs. In Red Lodge, Moosley Tees has just what you want. Downtown on Main Street.
Nearly everyone stops at the Montana Candy Emporium on Main Street in downtown Red Lodge. Old time candies and huckleberry delights sold here. Taffy galore, root beer barrels, cherry jelly beans, and more. Chocolates and hard candies too. So good!
Candy Red Lodge MTSo good. Montana Candy Emporium. Red Lodge, Montana. Photo Courtesy Sandy Archives.
For lodging, stay at the Pollard Hotel (406) 446-0001. A community favorite with a superb restaurant.
The Sunrise Inn Bed & Breakfast may be the best lodging option in Red Lodge. In a historic mansion, recently opened for business, the Sunrise Inn features five very nice rooms all with separate baths. A great location too, within walking distance to downtown and all the restaurants. (406) 425-1546. Nice people run this B&B.
The Red Lodge Inn (406) 446-2030 is another choice. Other lodging is provided by the Quality Inn, near downtown (406-446-4469).
Despite being a gateway city to Yellowstone, lodging in Red Lodge is limited, so prices are very high during the peak tourist season, More abundant lodging is found in Billings about 60 miles to the northeast of Red Lodge.
Pollard Hotel, Red Lodge MTLounge area in the Pollard hotel. Red Lodge, Montana. Photo courtesy Sandy Archives.
Yellowstone National Park is the main outdoor attraction near Red Lodge. The journey from Red Lodge to Yellowstone begins on the spectacular Beartooth Highway (U.S. Highway 212). The Beartooth Highway winds its way up the mountains, and the drive is an absolute thrill. Panoramic views delight motorists at every turn in the road.
The Beartooth Highway ascends from 5,562 feet at Red Lodge until it reaches an elevation of 10,947 feet at Beartooth Pass. The Beartooth Highway then drops to 7,365 feet in elevation before entering the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park. The distance from Red Lodge to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone near Cooke City, Montana is about 70 miles. By some estimates it takes two hours to drive this 70 miles. The Montana Department of Transportation closes the Beartooth Highway for the winter months, when deep snow covers the roadway.
Travel Tip: Alternate route to Yellowstone National Park from Red Lodge, Mont.: from Red Lodge, take Montana 308 east to Belfry, then Montana 72/Wyoming 120 south to junction with Wyoming 296, then take Wyoming 296 (Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, also called Sunlight Basin Road) west to U.S. Highway 212 and the entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
A neat way to view Red Lodge is to drive into the town from the east on Highway 308. The road enters the city from a high elevation, revealing Red Lodge nestled in the beautiful valley below. Highway 308, itself, is an interesting drive, as it winds through the hills past the old coal mining town of Bearcreek. The Bearcreek Saloon and Steakhouse is the main show in town. Try their Weizen or Glacier Ale.
Travel tip: Bring a warm jacket or sweater. It’s often very cool in mountainous areas, even in July.
Absaroka Mountain, Mont.
© 2023 John Sandy