“Red Lodge Montana is a hidden gem in a landscape of adventure and opportunity… Western hospitality and a small town feel give way to the grandeur of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and surrounding mountains“.
Set against the dramatic peaks of the Beartooth Mountains, this Montana multisport adventure is built around movement, variety, and wide-open space. From hiking alpine trails and biking scenic backroads to rafting the Shoshone River and riding horseback through mountain meadows, each day offers a different way to experience Big Sky Country — each day blends time in motion with moments to slow down — lingering over lunch in town, soaking in mountain air, or watching evening light slide across the peaks. It’s a distinctly Montana adventure that with time to relax and reset in welcoming Red Lodge, one of the cutest small towns in one of the biggest states in the country, and home to Zephyr Adventures’ world headquarters.
The Activities
Much of our adventure unfolds in and around Red Lodge, a charming mountain town at the base of the Beartooths, where jagged peaks and wide-open skies create the ultimate backdrop for outdoor fun. The Beartooth Mountains, home to some of Montana’s highest and most dramatic summits, offer rugged trails, alpine lakes, and sweeping vistas that make every activity unforgettable. With Montana’s sunny summer weather, our days will begin with active outdoor pursuits, then leave time to wandering Red Lodge’s shops and cafés for lunch or simply soaking in the mountain air. Every afternoon, we will take off for a new adventure.
- Hike alpine trails in the Beartooth Mountains with breathtaking big-sky views
- Ride horseback through wildflower meadows and forested mountain paths
- Gravel bike scenic backroads and rolling mountain routes
- Raft the Shoshone River, combining splashes of excitement with stretches of calm, scenic floating
Your Guide
Kris Keys has been guiding for Zephyr for a quarter of a century. True to her Midwestern roots, she always aims to be kind and friendly. Her passion is making sure everyone is having fun on their adventure and feels well taken care of.
“Kris is a true professional, leader, guide, problem-solver and go-to girl. She is the reason I have traveled around the world with Zephyr! She also has the best snacks.”
The Town, Hotel, and Restaurants
Red Lodge is more than just a gateway to the Beartooths. It’s a welcoming mountain town brimming with history, charm, and small-town character. Stroll along Broadway Avenue and you’ll find boutique shops, art galleries, cozy cafés, and a lively Western spirit that makes Red Lodge as inviting as it is adventurous.
Our home base is The Pollard Hotel, a beautifully restored historic hotel in the heart of downtown. With its warm hospitality and rich character, The Pollard blends classic Montana charm with modern comfort, making it the perfect spot to unwind after a day in the mountains. Step outside the door and you’re just moments from everything Red Lodge has to offer.
When it comes to dining, Red Lodge is full of local gems. From hearty Montana fare to creative takes on regional cuisine, every meal is a chance to savor the flavors of Big Sky Country. Whether it’s a cozy dinner in a tucked-away spot, a lively evening at a local bar and grill, or lunch at a beloved café, the food here adds just as much to the adventure as the trails and rivers do.
Zephyr Adventures is an authorized permit holder of the US Forest Service and equal opportunity service provider
Private Tours
Want to make this trip even more memorable? Grab your friends and pick a date.
Start planning your private tourDetails
- Dates: June 28 - July 2, 2026
- Cost Per Person: $3,300
- Single Supplement: $800
- Private Tour Minimum: 4
- Activities: Hiking, Horseback Riding, Rafting, Biking
- Difficulty: All Abilities
- Guides: Kris Lucky Keys
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy Red Lodge, Montana - a small town under the Big Sky
- Hike to waterfalls, around alpine lakes, and up mountain trails in the Beartooth Mountains
- Take on the wild and scenic Shoshone River by raft
- Drive the stunningly scenic Beartooth All-American Road
- Experience an authentic Western rodeo in Cody, Wyoming
DAY 1
Our Montana adventure kicks off with a drive from Billings to the mountain town of Red Lodge, where we will start with a hike or scenic chairlift ride up Red Lodge Mountain to take in views of where we'll spend our week, with lunch at the top of the mountain. After we make our way back down the mountain, we will check into our cozy home base at The Pollard Hotel. The evening promises a true Red Lodge classic: dinner at Bear Creek Saloon & Steakhouse, complete with the famous (and wildly entertaining) pig races!
DAY 2
Rise and shine! After breakfast at our hotel, we will set out on an invigorating gravel bike ride where sweeping mountain views and quiet backroads. After a trailside lunch, the adventure continues on the water with a scenic afternoon raft trip down the Shoshone River in Cody, Wyoming. In the evening, we will have dinner at the historic Irma Hotel before capping the night with the excitement and energy of the famous Cody Stampede Rodeo.
DAY 3
Today is a day for hiking in the Beartooth Mountains. These are some of the most rugged and isolated mountains in the continental United States. We will drive up the legendary Beartooth Pass, one of the most scenic drives in America. From there, it’s boots on the ground for a six-mile hike along the Beartooth Loop, where alpine lakes, wildflowers, and sweeping mountain vistas steal the show. Back in Red Lodge, we’ll toast the day with a craft beer tasting at Red Lodge Ales before the evening winds down with dinner on your own in town.
DAY 4
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll trade in our hiking boots for stirrups as we explore Montana's wide-open country via horseback. After our horseback riding experience, we will shuttle into the mountains for a hike to Glacier Lake, where alpine scenery and crystal-clear waters make every step worth it. The day wraps up back in Red Lodge with dinner at the lively One Legged Magpie, a local favorite that’s the perfect spot to swap stories from the trail.
DAY 5
Today is our final day, so we'll have time for one more hike in the morning after breakfast. Then we'll have time to shower, check out, and hit the road for the drive back to Billings, where you can extend your adventure in Montana or back your way back home.
Book this TourTrip Accommodations
NIGHTS 1 - 4 >> The Pollard / RED LODGE
Located at the foot of the Beartooth - Absaroka Mountains and in the center of downtown Red Lodge, our hotel is a historic gem and the perfect basecamp for all of our outdoor adventures.
Book this TourArrival & Departure
We meet you at 9:30 AM at the Northern Hotel in Billings on the first day of the trip, allowing us to maximize our day. This means you will most likely need to arrive the day before, as there are limited flight options that arrive before the tour start time. The last day of the tour we will drop you off at the Billings airport by noon, making it possible to book your flight home after 1:00 pm.
What's Included?
- One professional Zephyr guide, with additional guides if necessary.
- Double occupancy lodging is included. If you are traveling solo, there will be a single supplement applied.
- All of your dinners (except for one night so that you have time to explore and enjoy the local flavors), lunches, and breakfasts are included. Gratuity for these meals is also included.
- All your transportation is included once you meet your guides on the first day.
- All equipment rental, activities, trail fees and permits are included.
- NOT INCLUDED Beverages, desserts, lunches, gratuities to your guides, personal expenses and travel to and from the destination.
Weather
Red Lodge is located in the beautiful Beartooth Mountains so the weather can change very quickly. You'll want to bring a few layers as well as rain gear for our hikes and rides. High temperatures in late June and early July average low to mid-70s during the day with low temperatures averaging lower 50s at night.
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. If there is any one experience that is going to make or break your trip, please discuss this with us in advance! We will attempt to keep our website itinerary as current as possible and communicate any major changes with you in the weeks prior to the tour.
Related Blog Posts
Experience the Real Montana: Red Lodge and the Beartooth Mountains
October 15, 2018
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