If you’re planning a trip to Billings, you might wonder what there is to do. Billings is Montana’s largest city, and home to about 110,000 people, so there’s actually plenty to do for any interest you have. Whether you love the outdoors, arts and culture, or just a surprisingly great glass of wine, there are plenty of great things to do in Billings, and here are some of the best.

In this post, I promote travel to a destination that is the traditional lands of the Apsáalooke (Crow), Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, and Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ) peoples. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to explore Native Land.

1. Explore Pictograph Cave State Park

Before Billings was Billings, its lands served as home to prehistoric humans who left vestiges of their existence on the walls of caves. Pictograph Cave State Park preserves some fascinating rock art and pictographs that the first humans wrote about 10,000 years ago. 

Visitors can hike the steep trail leading up to the cave that holds pictographs. There’s also a visitor center with interesting displays explaining who created the pictographs and their meaning. 

The park also has stunning wildlife and shaded picnic tables to spend the day. 

2. Stroll through DanWalt Gardens

DanWalt Gardens is Billings’s best-kept secret! This English-style garden is a feast for your eyes and nose. The beautiful landscaping showcases colorful blooms all around arranged meticulously and impeccably maintained. 

The variety of what’s in bloom will change with the time of year, but you’ll never be disappointed. There is also a sprinkling of sculptures scattered throughout the property. Every corner is worth exploring, and there are cozy places to sit and take it all in.

3. Admire Art at Yellowstone Art Museum

Visiting Yellowstone Art Museum is one of the best things to do in Billings if you’re an art enthusiast. 

Yellowstone Art Museum is Montana’s largest contemporary art museum. Its collections exhibit works from internationally-acclaimed artists like Rudy Autio, John Buck, and Isabelle Johnson. 

The ‘Montana Collection’ represents the preservation of Western art relevant to today’s West and features over 3000 objects. It also hosts temporary exhibitions to showcase works of lesser-known regional artists and offers art-related classes and workshop programs for the community. 

4. Take a Scenic Walk on Riverfront Park

Perched on the banks of the Yellowstone River, Riverfront Park is a scenic city park with countless activities for the outdoorsy. 

The park boasts an excellent trail system running through plenty of natural areas. It also has developed lawn areas and picnic facilities if you’d like to spend the whole day – bring a repellent; otherwise, you may get swarmed with mosquitos. You can also walk around the lakes and spot dozens of goslings with the Canada geese on the water. 

5. Visit the Western Heritage Center

Built in 1901, the Western Heritage Center is the perfect place to learn about the peoples and places of the Yellowstone River Valley and the northern High Plains region. It has 8 to 10 well-researched exhibits detailing complex topics, like the Yellowstone fire in 1988 and the difficult history of medical care on the reservations. 

The museum sits inside the historic Parmly Billings Memorial Library and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.

6. Enjoy a Baseball Game at Dehler Park

Locals love Dehler Park. It is their favorite park to take the family out to enjoy a ball game on a nice summer night. 

There really are no bad seats in the place, and you get to be right next to the action and players. It’s also a budget-friendly alternative to do while in Billings, as tickets are affordable. So, if you’re staying in town for a few days, grab some tickets and enjoy a game of the Billings Mustangs.

7. Sip a Glass of Wine at Yellowstone Cellars & Winery 

It’s wine time in Billings! Head over to Yellowstone Cellars & Winery, a wonderful venue to relax, meet your friends for a great glass of wine, and enjoy live music.

The boutique winery produces classic French and Italian style wines with the finest wine grapes from the Yakima Valley and Columbia Valley vineyards. Stop by to do one of their wine tastings and combine it with their delicious menu – the charcuterie trays are exquisite! The winery also hosts free live music every Friday and Saturday night.

8. Hike in the Pryor Mountains

The Pryor Mountains are a natural marvel of Billings. Their geology is unique as an island of mountains rising from the prairie. The landscape is fascinating, with spectacular limestone canyons, prairie to sub-alpine plateaus, and meadows. It is a crucial place for indigenous peoples and has been sacred to the Apsaalooke (Crow) people for generations.

Visitors can go for the day and hike the gorgeous trails. However, if camping is your thing, the Pryor Mountains have many campgrounds to spend the night. 

9. Have a Picnic at Lake Elmo State Park

There’s nothing better to do on a summer day than having a picnic at Lake Elmo State Park. 

This 64-acre Reservoir park has picnic shelters with grills to enjoy a cookout, have a BBQ, and swim at the lake. There are also swings and a playground for little ones. You can bring your furry friend – there’s a Dog Park. The park features a fishing pier, so you may want to bring your fishing rod.

10. Enjoy a Performance at Alberta Bair Theater

Catching a performance at Alberta Bair Theater is one of the top things to do in Billings. This beautiful theater has a fascinating history. It was built during the Great Depression and opened in 1931 as “the last of the Fox Corporation’s vaudeville and motion picture houses.” 

It remained popular until the 1950s when the appearance of the drive-in and suburban movie theaters led to the theater’s decline. The building remained closed and unused until a local “Save the Arts” campaign purchased it. It underwent a thorough renovation, and in 1987 the theater reopened to host local and international performances. 

Today, the theater is one of Billings’ most important cultural organizations, bringing international stars and events to the community. 

This route takes you along the western border of the Great Plains; you’ll drive northbound from Denver to Billings with the Plains stretching out on your right and the Rocky Mountains on your left. (It’s obviously the opposite if you’re traveling southbound from Billings to Denver.) No matter which direction you’re headed, it’s a beautiful drive, showcasing two incredible landscapes and where they meet. So if you are set on driving between Billings and Denver, and curious about what it will be like – and how long the drive takes – read on to plan your road trip

TL;DR: How long is the drive between Denver and Billings? The direct drive from Billings to Denver (or vice versa) is 555 miles (893 km) and should have a drive time of 7 hours, 50 minutes in normal traffic.

This post was originally published in July 2021, and was updated in June 2022 for the upcoming road trip season!

In this post, I promote travel along a route that crosses the traditional lands of the hinono’eino’ biito’owu’ (Arapaho), Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Ndé Kónitsąąíí Gokíyaa (Lipan Apache), psaalooké (Crow), and Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ)  peoples. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to explore Native Land.

Denver to Billings Interactive Map

Denver to Billings Drive Distance

When preparing the itinerary for your Denver to Billing drive, you might benefit from knowing the distance you have to cover to get to these two places. As the crow flies, the distance between Denver, Colorado, and Billings, Montana is approximately 454 miles.

For driving between Denver and Billings, it is about 555 miles along I-25 N. 

Keep in mind that the total distance between these two cities varies depending on where you start in Denver and end in Billings.

Denver to Billings Drive Time

The second thing that will help you arrange your itinerary is to know how long it will take you to get from Denver to Billings.

The drive between Denver and Billings takes around 7 hours, 50 minutes if you make this entire trip without stopping and driving at 75 mph (the average speed limit on I-25). However, bear in mind that you’ll have to do at least one stop to refill your gas tank.

(The Billings to Denver drive takes the same driving time and covers the same distance as the one from Denver to Billings.)

Don’t forget: join our Great Plains Travel Tips group for even more travel inspiration!

9 Stops to Make on Your Drive From Denver to Billings

The road trip from Denver to Billings is actually full of interesting and beautiful sights to visit. Here are some of the best stops to stretch your legs on your drive between Billings and Denver.

1. Rocky Mountain National Park

This is a great stop if you’re traveling with kids. Located in north-central Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park is a wonderful stop to admire the flora and fauna of the place. The park boasts beautiful alpine scenery and a wide variety of wildlife with tiny diatoms, elks, and possibly even bears!

2. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

Another great family-friendly stop is the Fort Collins Museum. Open since 2012, this is an interactive and immersive museum whose main gallery has long-term exhibits on subjects like astronomy and music. It’s a great place to learn and have fun at the same time through their hands-on and collections-based exhibits that tell the stories of Northern Colorado.

3. Wyoming State Museum

The Wyoming State Museum is an excellent option to learn about the state’s history. Established in 1895 in Cheyenne, the museum houses artifacts and collections covering Wyoming’s history from its earliest beginnings. There’s also a cute gift shop for souvenirs to keep learning about Wyoming’s culture and history. 

4. Ayres Natural Bridge Park

Ayres Natural Bridge Park is nestled in the bottom of a stunning red-rock canyon. This beautiful park houses one of only three natural bridges in the United States with water beneath. If you enjoy history bites, you’ll be surprised to know that the Indigenous People who first inhabited these lands believed an evil spirit lived below this bridge.

5. Tate Geological Museum

If dinosaurs are your thing, you’ll love the Tate Geological Museum. Founded in 1980, it is one of a small number of geology and paleontology museums in Wyoming.  The Tate houses a collection of over 6000 fossil and mineral specimens, including dinosaurs and Dee the Mammoth, an 11,600-year-old Columbian Mammoth who lived in the American West during the Ice Age.

6. Teapot Rock

It’s possible you might know this place for the Teapot Dome Scandal. But, setting aside the political issues, this is a great stop to admire the geological processes of nature. Located in Natrona County, Teapot Rock is a sedimentary rock formation that used to be shaped like a teapot before its distinctive features were eroded by windstorms.  

7. T-Rex Natural History Museum

As the name suggests, the T-Rex Natural History Museum is a museum dedicated to the greatest predator, the tyrannosaurus. Located in Ranchester, the museum houses dinosaurs and ancient mammal species that have been dug up in Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The best of all is that there’s a massive T-Rex skull and you can take a picture with it! 

8. Custer Battlefield Museum

For the history buffs out there, the Custer Battlefield Museum is a stop you can’t miss. This museum is dedicated to promoting the history of the Battle of the Little Bighorn and the Western Migration. Its exhibitions feature the largest collection of David F. Barry photographs, war artifacts, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Peace Memorial.

9. Pictograph Cave State Park

This is one of the best stops of the Denver to Billing drive. Pictograph Cave State Park is an area of three caves, Pictograph, Middle, and Ghost, located in Montana. Back in prehistoric times, they were home to generations of hunters who documented their lives through rock paintings. The oldest rock art in Pictograph cave is over 2,000 years old and is still visible!

Other Tips for Your Drive Between Denver and Billings

Now that you know the basics of the drive and are inspired to make a few stops, here are some final tips to help you finish planning your road trip:

• The route from Denver to Billings takes you through three states: Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.
• The two biggest cities along the route from Denver to Billings are Casper and Cheyenne, Wyoming.
• The halfway point between Denver and Billings is Casper – it’s literally exactly halfway!
• Casper is also the best place for an overnight stop if you decide to make the almost eight-hour drive from Denver to Billings across two days.
• There are several rest stops on the northbound drive from Denver to Billings: Poudre, Chugwater, Dwyer Junction, Orin Junction, Kaycee, Sheridan, and the Christiansen-Graham Rest Area.
• There are plenty of gas stations and truck stops along I-25 if you need fuel, toilets, snacks, or other services.

Should You Fly Between Denver and Billings Instead?

While road trips are always a fun idea, you might be wondering if you are better off flying from Denver to Billings. So here’s the answer. 

Time-wise, flying from Denver to Billings is certainly convenient as it takes about 70 minutes and covers a 420-miles distance, whereas driving between Billings and Denver takes about eight hours and covers a 555-miles distance. 

Regarding the price, there’s little difference between driving or flying. The cheapest plane ticket costs $200 for a round trip, and gas for a round trip costs about $135. 

However, unless you’re time-constrained, a drive between Denver and Billings is still highly recommended to see places you wouldn’t otherwise. While most of these spots might not be on your bucket list, they are still beautiful and historically relevant (like Pictograph Cave!), which makes them worth visiting. 

If you’re driving up from Santa Fe to Denver before onto Billings, be sure to read my guide for the drive between Santa Fe and Denver too!

Have other questions about the drive between Billings and Denver? Let me know in the comments!

Don’t forget: join our Great Plains Travel Tips group for even more travel inspiration!

If you’re passing through Montana, you might find yourself in Great Falls for a number of reasons; maybe you’re driving I-15 or headed to Glacier National Park. In any event, Great Falls is worth a stop, and there are a number of fun things to do in Great Falls whether you have an overnight or a few days to explore. Read on to learn about the best of these things to do in Great Falls and the surrounding area – and no surprises, but it includes a lot of enjoying the great outdoors!

In this post, I promote travel to a destination that is the traditional lands of the Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ), Michif Piyii (Métis), Apsaalooké (Crow), Salish, and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ peoples. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to explore Native Land.

1. Hike or Ride River’s Edge Trail 

There’s plenty of things to do in the Great Falls, and a good way to get a glimpse of them is to go running or biking through the River’s Edge Trail. Following the banks of the Missouri River, the 60-miles of paved trail connects many of Great Falls’ signature attractions and offers spectacular views of the Great Falls natural landscape.

If you don’t know where to start your running session, Gibson Park is a good starting point, with its gardens and reflective ponds.

2. Visit the C.M. Russell Museum

Visiting the C.M. Russell is one of the top things to do in Great Falls. This museum commentates on the life and artistic legacy of the influential American West artist Charles M. Russell. An authentic cowboy, Russell portrayed and transmitted Western cultures and landscapes through his paintings. But the museum goes beyond exhibiting his paintings and also shows Russell’s log cabin and studio. You can also find plenty of information explaining what influenced the American artist.

3. Explore Giant Springs State Park

Of course, being in the Great Falls means visiting the Giant Springs, State Park. First recorded by Lewis and Clark in 1805, this park is home to the largest freshwater spring in the country and encompasses over 4 miles of the Missouri River shoreline. Its sprawling nature is a perfect place to enjoy outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, and hunting.

If you like photography, Giant Springs State Park is a good option. The park’s unique geologic features would definitely make an excellent shot.

4. Visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center

Whether you’re a Lewis and Clark enthusiast or not, you can’t miss the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Found along the River’s Edge Trail, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center exhibit the arduous 18-mile portage these two American explorers had to endure in the Great Falls to get their boats in the Missouri River. The museum includes permanent galleries, an educational movie theater, and an interactive space for hands-on learning activities; there are also interpretive trails following the path of Lewis and Clark that you can walk.

5. Explore First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park

If you want to learn what the indigenous cultures were like before Lewis and Clark arrived in the Great Falls, visit the First Peoples Buffalo Jump, State Park.

Located fifteen minutes west of the city, this park is an archaeological site believed to be one of the largest ancient buffalo jump sites in America. Indigenous people would use the cliff formation as part of their hunting tactic to hunt and kill plains bison in mass quantities. The park also has an education center where you can learn all about the indigenous culture. 

6. Spot Wildlife at Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Bird-watchers out there here is one of the top things to do in Great Falls for you. Located on the western edge of the northern Great Plains is the National Wildlife Refuge. This federal refuge is home to hundreds of migrating bird species and extends over 12,000 acres of mixed-prairie environment.

During spring and fall migrations, up to 150,000 ducks, 2,500 Canadian geese, 40,000 snow geese, 5,000 tundra swans, and 50,000 shorebirds can be seen on the marsh, making it a prime spot for birders.

7. Visit Ryan Dam

This hydroelectric plant known as Ryan Dam sits atop The Great Falls and is the best spot to admire the fall’s grandeur. The best feature of the dam is that it follows the natural break that the falls created, and, although the water flow is controlled, the force of the falls is still impressive.

To get the best views, head to the highest peak of Ryan Island Park, which is accessed from a suspension bridge across the Missouri River. 

8. Ski Fresh Pow at Showdown Montana (Winter Only)

If you’re wondering what to do in Great Falls in winter, stop by Showdown Montana to do some skiing. Located an hour south of Great Falls within the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Showdown Montana is one of the oldest operating ski areas in the state. It has 640 acres of skiable area and offers many services at affordable prices. Lessons for beginners are available, and you can also book a private mountain rental if you visit with a large group.

9. Explore Downtown Great Falls

Scattered throughout downtown Great Falls are many places you can explore on your own. For a little history, visit the Great Falls’ historic Lower North Side, the second oldest and grandest neighborhood in town. If you’re visiting during summer and want to do some shopping, head to the Farmers’ Market to buy from local farmers and artists; there are also many ready-to-eat options if you feel hungry. When looking for Montana-made souvenirs, you can visit the Montana Mosaic Gallery.  

10. Eat and Drink Locally

Would you like a refreshing pint of local craft beer? Head to one of the local breweries scattered around town. Great Falls has an excellent beer scene, with many award-winning breweries, like The Mighty Mo.

For a little fun and dine, visit The Sip’n Dip Lounge. This iconic tiki bar was listed as the #1 bar on earth worth flying for by GQ magazine. So it must be good, right? The bar is mostly known for the glass wall between the bar and the swimming pool, where you can see girls dressed as mermaids swimming. 

11. Visit Glacier National Park 

Visiting Glacier National park is among the best Great Falls things to do that you can’t miss. The Glacier National Park’s east entrance at St. Mary’s is located 2.5 hours north of the Great Falls. The Crown of the Continent is every hiker’s dream, where you can experience panoramic views of the spectacular landscape. The best way to absorb the alpine beauty of this place is to take the Going to the Sun Road, a 52-mile road that takes you from one end of the park to the other.

Admittedly Glacier is quite a ways outside of Great Falls, but any list of the best things to do there would be remiss without mentioning it as an option!

Where to Stay in Great Falls

If you’re sold on spending some time in Great Falls, you probably need a place to rest after each day of adventure. There are a few dozen hotels in Great Falls, so you have plenty of options – but most are (as expected) national hotel chains. Below, I’ve chosen some of the hotels that most appeal to my own style and are mostly locally owned and operated.

• Budget: Midtown Motel (from $65/night)
• Mid-Range: Great Falls Inn by Riversage (from $101/night)
• Luxe: SpringHill Suites by Marriott (from $269/night)
• Other Local Options: Heritage Inn (from $118/night) or Historic Hotel Arvon (from $146/night)

Do you know of other great things to do in Great Falls, Montana? Let me know in the comments!

This post will teach you all about the geography of the Great Plains and which states are part of the Great Plains. You’ll also learn which states are often included in the Great Plains states but which are actually not part of the Great Plains. By the end, you’ll know which states are completely in the Great Plains, partly in the Great Plains, and not in the Great Plains at all.

What is the “Great Plains?”

When we talk about the Great Plains, what does that mean, exactly?

The “Great Plains” is also a geographical term that describes a particular ecosystem and landscape on the North American continent. The Great Plains are a semiarid grassland that ranges from 1,500 feet of elevation in the east to 5,000-6,000 feet above sea level in the west. The exception to this moderate average altitude is in far northern Canada, where the Great Plains reach the Arctic Ocean.

If your mind thinks of rolling hills of grass as far as the eye can see, that’s a mostly accurate image of the Great Plains! The Great Plains are certainly a large sweeping series of plains as the name suggests, but there are other landscape features including hills, rocky formations, and stream valleys. The Missouri River also cuts through the heart of the Great Plains, creating great bluffs and a wide river bed through parts of the plains; other rivers create small falls and tributaries.

There’s a lot more to the Great Plains than rolling fields of grass, though that is the majority of what you’ll encounter here.

Where are the Great Plains?

If you want to be specific about where the Great Plains are on a map, they broadly cover the middle of the North American continent. Don’t confuse this area with the Midwest though! They’re distinctly different geographies and ecosystems.

The Great Plains lie between the Rio Grande in the south and the delta of the Mackenzie River in the north and between the lake-pocked Midwest approaching the Mississippi River and the Canadian Shield on the east and the Rocky Mountains on the west.

The Great Plains measure nearly 3,000 miles in length and between 300-700 miles in width. In total, there are 1.125 million square miles of Great Plains, which is roughly one-third of the entire United States.

States in the Great Plains

The geographic region of the Great Plains doesn’t entirely follow state borders, so it helps to define exactly which states are part of the Great Plains – and which are not. The photo above shows exactly the states and bounds of the Great Plains.

There is some debate about which states are in the Great Plains, so for the purposes of this site, we’ll always stick to the list below.

States that are Completely in the Great Plains

The following states are completely in the Great Plains:

• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Nebraska
• Kansas

Note that the Great Plains do not extend further east than the eastern borders of these states. Though you might see some other sites include Missouri, Iowa, and Arkansas – they are not geographically part of the Great Plains.

States that are Partly in the Great Plains

The following states are partly but not entirely in the Great Plains:

• Montana (central and eastern)
• Wyoming (east from the Rockies)
• Colorado (east from the Rockies)
• New Mexico (eastern)
• Oklahoma (western and the Panhandle)
• Texas (the Panhandle and parts of west and central)

The other parts of these states are not part of the Great Plains, but either the Mountain West, the Midwest, the Arctic, or the South.

Canadian Provinces that are Partly in the Great Plains

There are also several Canadian Provinces that are partly part of the Great Plains:

• Alberta (east from the Canadian Rockies)
• Saskatchewan (southern)
• Manitoba (southwestern)

While some maps leave these Canadian Provinces out, they are geographically part of the Great Plains and should be included. While we’re initially focusing on just the U.S. states in the Great Plains, we plan to add travel resources and information about these three provinces in the Great Plains someday.

So there you have it! You know which states are part of the Great Plains – completely, in part, and not at all. Have any questions about the geography of the Great Plains? Let us know in the comments.

Don’t forget: join our Great Plains Travel Tips group for even more travel inspiration!