Just moved to Billings, or getting back into it after a while? These groups are beginner-friendly and welcoming — no need to be fast, experienced, or know a soul.
Wednesdays, 6:00pm · ~5 miles · all paces
📍 Rotating Billings breweries & parks (Swords, 1Ō5, Canyon Creek, Angry Hank’s)
Brewery nights — stick around for a drink afterward; non-alcoholic options too.
Open daily — see hours; day passes & memberships
📍 STEEPWORLD, 1230 S 31st St W, Billings
Rope walls, two bouldering areas, autobelays, and rental gear; intro classes available.
Saturdays, 7:00am (8:00am Nov–Apr) · ~10K
📍 Rotating Billings trailheads (Phipps, Zimmerman, Four Dances)
Summer trail runs May–Oct; paved-trail “coffee runs” Nov–Apr.
Free member race series — see calendar
📍 Around Billings
Includes the Rim Runner Mile and the winter “Catch Me if You Can!” series; free for members.
Saturday mornings · easier-paced · all levels
📍 The Spoke Shop, Grand Ave, Billings
Saturday mornings are the easier rides; confirm time on the shop’s Facebook before heading out.
Seasonal fun road rides — see club & Facebook
📍 Rotating Billings-area routes
Mix of road rides, around-town excursions, and family rides.
Seasonal trail-work and ride days — see Facebook
📍 Acton, Zimmerman & Phipps Park trailheads
Volunteer dig days plus group rides; free membership via their newsletter.
Seasonal community trail events — see calendar
📍 Billings urban trail system
Advocacy nonprofit; hosts walks, rides, and trail-celebration events on the city’s paved trail network.
Periodic women’s top-rope class — see schedule
📍 STEEPWORLD, 1230 S 31st St W, Billings
Entry-level certification plus training ideas for already-certified climbers.
Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society
Free public field trips year-round — see schedule
📍 Depart Rocky Mountain College lot on Rimrock Rd, Billings
Free and open to the public; carpool from the RMC lot. No pets on field trips.
Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society
Annual count — mid-December
📍 Billings area count circle
Long-running community-science count; new and experienced birders welcome.
Seasonal morning strolls & night hikes — see calendar
📍 Montana Audubon Center, 7026 S Billings Blvd
Bird strolls and bat hikes on a riverfront campus; often free for members, $5–$10 otherwise.
Monthly meetings & conservation events — see site
📍 Billings (see chapter calendar)
Trout Unlimited chapter; programs, a youth fly-fishing camp, and habitat work on the Stillwater & Rock Creek.
Open daily · guided float & wade trips by booking
📍 East Rosebud Fly & Tackle, 960 S 24th St W, Billings
Local river reports, fly-tying department, and guided trips on the Yellowstone and Stillwater.
Summer kayak/SUP rentals & float shuttles
📍 Yellowstone River access sites, Billings
Affordable kayak and paddleboard rentals plus shuttle service between launch and takeout.
Yellowstone River Parks Association
Seasonal trail-build volunteer days — see site
📍 Yellowstone River Greenway parks, Billings
Build and maintain trails across 2,000+ acres of riverfront park land.
Beartooth Nordic & Hiking Club
Member-organized hikes & trips — see Meetup
📍 Rotating Billings-area & Beartooth trailheads
Casual Meetup of outdoor friends; small annual dues. Hiking and biking in the warm months.
Beartooth Nordic & Hiking Club
Winter member ski outings — see Meetup
📍 Red Lodge & area Nordic trails
Cross-country ski days when conditions line up; private Facebook group for planning.
Open daily ~late Nov–late Mar · 15 km groomed
📍 Red Lodge Nordic Center (≈1 hr from Billings)
15 km of weekly-groomed classic and skate trails; lessons and snowshoeing on site.
Daily in winter season · 1,600+ acres
📍 Red Lodge Mountain (≈75 min from Billings)
Closest alpine resort to Billings on the eastern Beartooth front; lessons and rentals available.
MSU Billings Outdoor Recreation Program
Semester trips, clinics & gear rentals
📍 MSU Billings campus
Climbing wall, bike & ski shop, gear rentals, trips, and classes for students and members.
Rocky Mountain College Outdoor Program
Weekend & break trips during the school year
📍 Rocky Mountain College, Billings
Institutionally led adventures most weekends and breaks, plus gear checkout; within 90 min of the Beartooths.