Discover One of Montana’s Quiet Places – Red Lodge

Red Lodge, Montana, nestled beneath the Beartooth Mountains in pristine forest, is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy local hospitality. With less than 2,500 residents, it’s easy to mingle with locals as you wander along the town’s main street, perusing its shops, galleries and restaurants, or explore the nearby Beartooth wilderness. The spectacular Beartooth Highway typically closes for winter, but there are plenty of other things here to draw your attention.

Take in fall colors on a drive along the “Loop Trip” to Fishtail, Absarokee and Joliet, passing ranches with some of the highest mountains in Montana as their backdrops. Wildlife is abundant in this area, both in the wild and at the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, which houses typical native animals like bison, bears and wolves. Discover the talents of local artists at several fine art galleries, sip a local beer, or discover the great variety of restaurants that showcase the area’s commitment to local produce.

As winter approaches, hit the slopes at Red Lodge Mountain or explore groomed cross-country ski trails at Red Lodge Nordic Center. In March, Red Lodge hosts skijoring races, and its Winter Carnival brings wacky costumes and cardboard racing contraptions to the mountain.

For more information on Montana, visit VisitMT.com.