Map of bike paths / walking paths in the Billings area

FULL PAGE MAP

Recreational trails for walking, running and cycling in Billings, Montana

Billings is located in south-central Montana. It is the largest city in the state with a population of around 110,000. Billings has a rich history of being along the route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and for being an early railroad town in the 19th Century. The city has seen rapid growth in the last few decades and is the business hub for the region. The University of Montana has a campus in Billings.

The City of Billings is located along the Yellowstone River in the Yellowstone Valley. Nearby attractions include Yellowstone National Park to the southwest and the Bighorn Mountains to the southeast. There is also the Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area just south of the city.

Billings has a number of hard and soft surface trails for walking, running, commuting and bike riding called the Heritage Trail System.

Swords Park Trail

The Swords Park Trail is a 3.5-mile long paved trail that runs along the "Rims" which are the cliffs along the top of the Yellowstone River Valley on the north side of Billings. The trail is located south of Airport Road and west of Highway 87. There are beautiful views of Billings in the valley below.

The west end of the Swords Park Trail is 1/4 mile west of the round-about at the entrance to the airport at N. 27th Street and Airport Road. There is parking at this location. The trail then heads east going under N. 27th Street. Another parking area is located just east of the tunnel and is accessible from E. Airport Road. The trail goes along the top of the cliffs. Another parking area is located at Swords Park Road off of E. Airport Road. The trail continues winding east to Skeleton Cliff which is just above the 6th Avenue Bypass.

From Skeleton Cliff you can choose to tuck under E. Airport Road and meet up with the path that runs along E Alkali Creek Road or the path that runs alongside Aronson Avenue heading north. Continuing on the main trail, you ride alongside Aronson Avenue and tuck under the 6th Avenue Bypass to another small parking area on Aronson Avenue just off of Main Street

Jim Dutcher Trail

Jim Dutcher Trail is a 6.5-mile paved trail that runs from Mary Street on the north side of town, through Two Moons Park, then follows the Yellowstone River going under Business 90 and US Highway 212. The paved trail then runs through Coulson Park, follows alongside Interstate 90 for about 0.6 miles. From here it kicks back over to go by Josephine Park and end a quater mile past the south end of Mystic Park. 

Stewart Park Trail

In the middle of town there is a 4-mile long paved trail system that connects several parks. At the north end, the trail starts at North 24th Street SE just south of Grand Avenue. The trail heads to the west for 0.4 miles then goes south through Lillis Park which is adjacent to Parkview Drive. There is a playground and tennis courts in this park. After crossing Broadwater Avenue at street level, the trail continues south through Millice Park. After crossing Central Avenue at street level, the trail goes past the athletic fields at Stewart Park.

After crossing Monad Road at street level, the trail goes through Lampman Strip Park alongside S 29th Street. After crossing King Avenue W at street level the trail heads to the east to stop at S 24th Street W, just south of King Avenue W.

Riverfront Park Trails

There are numerous paved and unpaved trails that run through Riverfront Park on the south side of town. This park is located on S Billings Boulevard, just south of Interstate 90. These trails wander through the woods, along the banks of the Yellowstone River and around Lake Josephine. This is a great place for bird watching and getting away from the city without having to drive a long ways.

Lake Elmo State Park Trail

Lake Elmo State Park is located on the northeast end of Billings on Pemberton Lane north of Main Street. At this park you can swim, take out the row boat or the kayak, go fishing or observe wildlife. There is a 1.4 mile long nature trail around the lake for pedestrians. Lake Elmo State Park also has a dog park for your furry friend. It is free to visit the park for residents and there is a small daily fee for non-residents.

Shiloh Road Trail

The Shiloh Road Trail is a 4.5-mile long paved path for getting across town from the south end near ZooMontana at Pierce Parkway to Rimrock Road on the north end.

---

Resources

Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the recreation trails in Billings, Montana.