5 Fabulous Winter Trails Near Billings, MT

Living near the mountains provides magical opportunities in the summer, spring, fall and WINTER! Neighboring wilderness is the perfect venue for recreation and relaxation. Its why people choose to move to Montana and Yellowstone country. In Montana, America’s finest winter wonderland, the fun really starts when the snow begins to fall!

From frozen alpine lakes to beautiful snow-swept valleys, Billings is surrounded by majestic winter scenery. Montanans who brave the snow are rewarded with some of the finest adventures available in our Treasure State. Indeed, winter is my favorite season to get outdoors! With a lifetime of experience in the Billings snowscape, I wanted to share a few of my favorite trails to explore during winter. All of these spots are within 90 minutes from downtown, and each will give you an excellent taste of the Mountain West lifestyle. So grab your skis, sling on your snowshoes, and check out the best of Billings’ winter trails!

West Fork Road (Best for: Cross country skis)

The West Fork Road is one of the most popular cross country skiing spots near Billings, and for good reason. Beginning from the Wild Bill Lake, this groomed causeway heads 5 miles west towards the Cascade Campground. With negligible elevation gain, this is a great winter hike for travelers of all ages. West Fork is also one of the most popular places to take your dog for a winter excursion; on weekends, it is not uncommon to see dozens of families toting their dogs alongside them! You may even see a cute little one being pulled on a dogsled. A challenging snowshoe hike also awaits those intrepid enough to head towards the Basin Lakes trailhead; that 4-mile path splits off a mile from the West Fork trailhead. West Fork Road is located just southwest of Red Lodge proper, with the parking lot located a mile past the final turnoff for the ski resort.

Lower Lake Fork Trail and Silver Falls (Best for: Snowshoes or Cross-Country Skis)

This easygoing, 2-mile trail is an excellent place for relaxed winter wanderings. Gaining only 400 feet in elevation, this one isn’t going to break any backs. However, with direct views of rocky peaks protruding from the further end of the trail, Lower Lake Fork offers outstanding views. A short jaunt up the trail (roughly 1.5 miles) you can also look for Silver Falls on your left-hand side, and snowshoe right up to the base! The babbling waters of the Lake Fork of the Rock Creek cascade alongside this trail, offering a serene soundtrack for your trek during even the icier parts of winter. Nothing says you’re living in Montana like the calm sounds of a mountain stream! This relatively popular trail is located at the end of Lake Fork Road, which turns off US-212 a few miles south of Red Lodge, MT, and runs up to the Lake Fork Trail Parking Area.

Mystic Lake (Best for: Snowshoes)

Mystic Lake is one of my favorite hikes. I make an annual summertime pilgrimage to its shores. In winter, this 5.5 mile out-and-back trail still offers one of the most sweeping views across any frozen lake accessible near Billings. The trail itself is a straightforward path uphill, gaining roughly 1,300 feet in elevation. It offers a great workout, as all snowshoeing does, but overall offers one of more pleasant winter hiking experiences in the Beartooth Mountains! The wide-open view is worth every step, but make sure to dress accordingly. Heavy winds batter the area during winter! Mystic Lake is part of the West Rosebud hiking area, located off of W Rosebud Lake Road south of Absarokee, MT.

Red Lodge Nordic Center (Best for: Cross country skiing)

Located just 2 miles west of Red Lodge, this cross-country skiing course is a relaxed place to enjoy alpine scenery from the foot of the Beartooth Mountains. Over nine miles of trails encompass this family-friendly reserve, which also features a warming hut and public restroom. While this won’t offer the same sort of downhill thrills available atop Red Lodge Mountain, the Nordic Center is the most extensive area for cross-country exploration near Billings. It is also among the most affordable; adults only require a $5 day pass, an entire family can purchase a season pass for $100, and all kids under 12 ski for free! You can access this area off Smith Road, on the westernmost edge of Red Lodge.

Phantom Creek to Slough Lake (Best: Snowshoes)

This trek offers a 5-mile round trip into one of the most sweeping valleys in the Beartooths. Past Slough Lake, the path continues all the way towards Froze-to-Death Plateau and the towering Granite Peak. For the mileage most accessible by snowshoes, you’ll primarily be ascending switchbacks. Once you close on the lake itself, you will hike between two massive, tree-lined escarpments surrounding the Phantom Creek and leading towards a magnificent view of Slough Lake. The lakeshore is a great place to set up a picnic, and depending on how heavy of snow drifts you encounter, is often a good site to build a snow cave! This trail is accessible by way of the East Rosebud Road, which is accessible from Montana St. Highway 78 near Roscoe, MT.