“This was a phenomenal trip. It was well planned out from the accommodations to the expertise of the guides, to the meals and wonderful lunches (and cookies) to the progression of the hikes. I was really impressed and had a wonderful experience.”
Beartooth Hiking participant 2022
Note: The public group tour date for this trip is a Beartooths Hiking for Women itinerary. It is a special opportunity for women to travel with and be led by other women, enjoying their shared experiences, empowerment, support and a lot of fun. Learn more about the importance of women-only travel via the blog Insight Into the Power of Women-Only Travel on our Zephyr Adventures brand site.
A private Beartooths Hiking trip can be booked for any and all participants of varying ages, gender and abilities with as few as four people. Feel free to contact us for more information.
Red Lodge, Montana and the Beartooth Mountains hold a special place in our hearts. The mountains are our playground and the small town of 2,300 residents is what we fondly term our “world headquarters.” We know there are more famous places in Montana, such as Glacier National Park, Big Sky, and portions of Yellowstone. And we love those too. But for a genuine, non-touristed, real Montana experience, you cannot beat Red Lodge and the Beartooths.
The breathtaking Beartooth Mountains are the highest mountain range in Montana, with numerous peaks above 12,000 feet, and offer an abundance of phenomenal hiking trails. Each day we head out on a different trail seeking out pristine alpine lakes, gorgeous plateaus, and stunning vistas. We’ll also take you on a ride up the Beartooth Pass, considered one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the country. The road zigzags up a series of switchbacks along the Montana-Wyoming border, topping out at almost 11,000 feet and with a view of the “bear’s tooth” for which the mountain range is named. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife throughout the trip and you might spot marmots, moose, coyote, big-horned sheep, mountain goats, grizzly bears and black bears.
Tucked into a valley between glaciers and plains, it won’t take you long to fall in love with Red Lodge. Our charming mountain town has great restaurants, fun shops and laid-back local watering holes. There are no stoplights in the entire county yet we are only one hour from the airport in Billings. The locals are incredibly friendly too – including our wonderful local guides!
Join us on a Beartooth Mountains Hiking Vacation as we explore our own backyard and learn why we love it so much here – we can’t wait to show you around!
Offered in partnership with our sister company, Zephyr Adventures. 
Benefits of Taking a Guided Vacation with Travel Montana >> By taking a guided tour your vacation will be even more amazing than it would be if you were on your own. Our guides are experts – not just in the outdoors – but in knowing the best restaurants, the best times and locations to view popular sights, the history of the region, and in interpersonal dynamics and creating group fun. It means you can let our team take care of every detail so you can actually relax and enjoy your vacation!
Looking to explore more of Montana? Check out our Best of Montana Vacation featuring the Beartooth Mountains, Yellowstone National Park, and Glacier National Park!
Travel Montana is an authorized permit holder of the US Forest Service and equal opportunity service provider
Private Tour Info
Private tours can be arranged for groups as small as four people.
Book Your Private Vacation NowTrip Favorite Moments & Reviews
We enjoyed every moment from breathtaking scenery, challenging hikes, meeting new Zephyr friends, and delicious dinners. Our favorite event was dinner at Kris and Michael’s home on the last evening of our adventure. Sitting around their deck, eating dinner and visiting was so much fun. Lots of laughter and memories made with new friends.
Jake and Elizabeth J.
It was overall an excellent trip. Once again Kris went above and beyond to make sure that we had a good time and were taken care of.
Amy S.
Details
- Activities: Hiking
- Duration: 5 days
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Price Per Person
4 - 5 people: $2,999
6 - 7 people: $2,900
8+ people: $2,800 - Single Supplement: $500
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Other Info:
> Public Tour (Women-Only) Price: $2,800
> This trip has a maximum of 13 people.
> Third or fourth persons in the same room receive a 15% discount - Public Tour Date: July 30 - August 3, 2024
Trip Highlights
- Explore Travel Montana's charming hometown, Red Lodge, Montana, set in the stunning Beartooth Mountains
- Hike a number of spectacular trails to beautiful alpine lakes, scenic plateaus, and breathtaking vistas
- Look for local wildlife including mountain goats, moose, deer, wild turkeys, eagles, marmots, coyotes, and bears
- Relax after fulfilling days outside with yoga & a local wine tasting
- Appreciate the challenge of venturing out with the support & encouragement of your guide and fellow travelers
- Take time to let go and simply enjoy the adventure
Note: since most of our hikes are "out and backs" it is easy to shorten or lengthen the distances of the main routes noted below.
DAY 1
We meet in Billings this morning, either at the airport or at our designated hotel, and shuttle directly to Red Lodge, about an hour away. Upon arrival, we'll drop off our luggage at the hotel, discuss our plans for the week and the trails, and pack a trail lunch to take with us. After a short shuttle to the trailhead, we'll begin our introductory hike, a gentle and gradual uphill along the beautiful rushing waters of the Lake Fork of Rock Creek, where we commonly see moose. Squeezed between Hellroaring and Silver Creek plateaus, the trail offers access to a lake-filled mountain valley, but since this is our first day of hiking, we will turn around at Broadwater Lake (actually just a widening of the river) after stopping at our favorite place on the trail - Snack Rock. We'll then return to our hotel to check in before departing for dinner at our friends' fun, casual tapas restaurant downtown.
Main Hiking Route: 7 miles - with up to 800 feet of elevation gain
DAY 2
This morning we shuttle 90 minutes to our trailhead in the West Rosebud Valley. Although it is only a few miles as the crow flies, we have to drive around the mountain range along the sky-high ranch country of the Beartooth Front to get to one of the most stunning locations in the area: Mystic Lake, a large lake made even larger by a hydroelectric dam. Because most of the hike is in a protected wilderness area, the power company that controls the dam has had very little impact to the lake itself and it is a nice example of man's progress melding with nature. A steady climb of three miles along West Rosebud Creek and through Custer National Forest will take us past a plethora of huckleberry bushes, through rock fields and stands of Lodgepole Pines and Aspens, to the edge of the lake. Before reaching the lakeshore, make sure to pause at the overlook to get a glimpse of Montana's uniquely shaped tallest mountain, Granite Peak. You can stop here to enjoy lunch, or continue another 2.7 miles around the lakeshore to Huckleberry Creek before turning around and heading back to the trailhead. We'll stop at Red Lodge Ales on our way home before cleaning up at the hotel for dinner in town at a local eatery.
Main Hiking Route: 6 miles round trip to the edge of the lake with 1,200 feet elevation gain (plus an opportunity for an easy extension around the lakeshore trail of almost 6 additional miles).
DAY 3
Today we take to the trail for our operations manager Kris' favorite hike: Glacier Lake, a beautiful alpine lake that not only is the source of the beautiful Rock Creek, but also the source of Red Lodge's drinking water, judged by some as among the best in the country. The drive to the trailhead is bumpy (which keeps out many would-be hikers) and although the hike is only two miles each way, it has some steep sections. The reward is a stunning crystal clear lake surrounded by steep mountains. We recommend having your lunch on the rocks along shore and then relaxing there for a good long while, but if you want more hiking you can take in a couple more nearby lakes (Little Glacier and Emerald) before descending to the trailhead and back to Red Lodge. We'll get back to town in the afternoon, and set you free to explore town on your own this evening.
Main Hiking Route: 4 miles with 1,022 feet of elevation gain (plus an opportunity for extending another 2 miles of nearly flat hiking)
DAY 4
Today is a big day! We depart Red Lodge in the morning to drive up the famous Beartooth Pass, considered one of the most beautiful drives in the country. Up, up, up we go - to almost 11,000 feet - keeping our eyes open to try and spot the mountain goats that are commonly seen in this beautiful high-altitude tundra. We'll get out for pictures at the top of the pass before getting out to hike from Gardner Lake to Hauser Lake, the only point-to-point hike of the trip. After a short steep decline, the rest of the hike is relatively flat with beautiful scenic views in every direction. Tonight, we will have a special farewell dinner!
Main Hiking Route: 6 miles.
DAY 5
On our last morning together, we will have an easy hike at one of the town’s most popular trails - Silver Run, which is used all year long as a hiking, snowshoeing and skiing trail. There are four interlocking loops with one side of the loop system that borders the West Fork of Rock Creek much of the way. Much of the trail is in the shade and it is common to see bear and moose here. You'll have time to shower before checking out of the hotel. We'll let you loose on Red Lodge one last time to have lunch on your own before shuttling everyone back to Billings, where you can catch your flight home or extend your stay.
Main Route: up to 5 miles.
Book This VacationTrip Accommodations
CHATEAU ROUGE / RED LODGE
All four nights of this tour are spent in the comfortable and very spacious rooms of the Chateau Rouge. Units are individually owned and feature a sitting room and kitchen. This is a secret of town locals! (Please note for private tours we might use other lodging depending on dates and availability.)
Book This VacationArrival & Departure
We meet you in the morning in Billings either at the airport or the Northern Hotel and head straight to Red Lodge about an hour away. On the last afternoon of the tour, we will drop you off at the Billings airport or at a downtown hotel if you are planning to extend your stay.
What's Included
- One local Travel Montana guide will accompany each trip. Additional guides added depending on group size.
- Our trip prices are based on double occupancy. You have the option to pay the single supplement to get your own room if you don’t want a roommate.
- For private trips: If your private group has an odd number of participants, the single supplement for the person getting his/her own room becomes mandatory. You also have the choice to put three people in one room.
- For public trips: Our trip prices are based on double occupancy. If you are traveling solo, you can pay a supplement to get your own room or we can attempt to match you with another solo traveler of the same gender, in which case a supplement will not be charged if we are successful.
- All of your meals except for one dinner and one lunch are included. Gratuity for these meals is also included.
- All your ground transportation is included once you meet your guides on the first day.
- All group activities.
- NOT INCLUDED: Beverages, desserts, lunches, gratuities to your guides, personal expenses and travel to and from the destination.
When to Travel
The season for outdoor activities in Red Lodge generally runs from May through September. In the summer months of July and August, highs average 80 degrees so the days can be warm. June and September are about ten degrees cooler, making them a wonderful 70 degrees on average for daytime highs, while in May high temperatures average in the low 60s. However, given we will be in the mountains on this tour and need to wait until the snow melts, this tour is best suited for the months of July, August, and early September.
Changes to Your Itinerary
While everything under “What is Included” will remain the same, the actual restaurants, hotels, and activities listed in our itineraries are subject to modifications. Changes that are out of our control are common – a restaurant closes or loses its awesome chef, a winery changes its visiting hours, a hotel gets remodeled, a road or trail undergoes construction. You are entrusting us to create an outstanding vacation for you and so it is possible we may take the liberty of making necessary changes (even at the last minute, during the guides’ scout trip) to the itinerary that will improve your overall trip experience.
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