7 Summer Splashdowns Near Billings, MT

No authentic Montana summer is complete without some waterborne recreation. This is especially true in Billings, Montana, close to many of the state’s finest water activities. To get you started on these adventures, I present to you my favorite Seven Summer Splashdowns near Billings, MT!

#1 Get your motor running at Cooney Reservoir

Summer means the sound of swarming jet skis at Cooney State Park, located 45 minutes southwest of Billings along Highway 212. This manmade reservoir is home to hundreds of acres for watery fun, such as motor boating, sailing, swimming, and water skiing. If you’re looking to enjoy some pristine views of the Montana starscape, the state park also has over 80 campsites to pitch your tent beneath the Big Sky.

#2 Paddleboard at Lake Elmo State Park

Situated at the northern end of the Billings Heights, Lake Elmo is a terrific spot for casual water day trips. Its calm waters are an especially great setting for paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes. When you get tired of paddling, this urban park also offers a 1.4-mile nature loop to explore the marshy ecosystem surrounding the picturesque pond. Lake Elmo is a favorite spot for birdwatchers, who will adore this wetland habitat replete with geese, gulls, and herons.

#3 Soak in the sun at an outdoor water park: The Billings Oasis

The Oasis, located along Aronson Avenue in the heights, is Billings’ most extensive outdoor waterpark. Operated by the Better Billings Foundation, a non-profit devoted to wholesome family activities in Yellowstone County, this facility serves a fantastic mission in our community. With three towering water slides, a lazy river, and the region’s largest outdoor pool, The Oasis is a perfect place for kids to get into the right kind of trouble!

#4 Beat the heat at an indoor water park: The Reef

Sometimes the sun burns a bit too bright to hit an outdoor pool deck. On days like these, if you’re clamoring to cool off beneath some waves, it’s time to hit The Reef on Billings’ West End! This sprawling indoor facility features 3-story waterslides, massive hot tubs, and a 55,000-gallon wave pool! (Just make sure to bring your own towel, as The Reef does not provide them.)

#5 Check out the neighborhood pool at Rose Park

Billings has dozens of outstanding city parks, catering to hikers, anglers, and swimmers alike. One of the greatest gems in this collection is the pool at Rose Park, located just north of Grand Avenue. Boasting its own set of waterslides, sprinklers, and diving boards, Rose Park is a great option for folks looking to beat the lines at Oasis. Moreover, its classic design and family clientele capture the community element so essential to living in Billings, MT.

#6 Take a float trip down the Bighorn River

The Bighorn River is a treasure of south-central Montana. Particularly in its stretch running north from the Yellowtail Dam, the Bighorn is a perfect place to cast your lines for rainbow trout, walleye, and sturgeon. The river corridor offers scenic views in every direction, encompassing the country rolling up to Bighorn Mountains. If you’re looking for a guided adventure, many great outfitters are located along the stream, such as the Eagle’s Nest Lodge based in Hardin, MT. If you feel prepared to ditch the guide, still make sure to stay up to date on Montana’s latest fishing regulations!

#7 Enjoy world-class alpine fishing at Lakes Timberline and Gertrude

If you’re up for a bit of a hike, Timberline Lake and the neighboring Lake Gertrude offer one of the finest alpine settings in Montana. Located along the scenic West Fork Road, 90 minutes southwest of Billings, the Timberline Trail winds 4.5 miles to a massive cirque at the foot of Silver Run Peak. At the foot of this mountain, fed by the chilly glacial melt, sit the two turquoise lakes. Both of these scenic lakes are abound with trout, so don’t forget your fly rods and cameras!