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Experience Montana

Forest Road

Experience Montana

Scenic Drives

Mountain Road

Curated Routes

Mountain Biking

Insider Tips

Beautiful Nature
Mountain Road

Around Bozeman

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  1. Jackson Creek Loop

    • ~1 hour loop starting/ending in Bozeman.

    • Takes you through a canyon on I‑90, over Jackson Creek Road, and through Bridger Canyon.

    • Highlights include a Grizzly Bear Sanctuary and beautiful mountain scenery. AllTrips - Bozeman Montana

  2. Bridger Canyon Drive

  3. Trail Creek / Paradise Valley Loop

    • Just east of Bozeman, Trail Creek Road begins a loop through Gallatin National Forest and into Paradise Valley. AllTrips - Bozeman Montana

    • The bigger loop: from Bozeman down through Gallatin Canyon → Madison Valley → back via MT‑84 / Norris Road. ~200 miles and 3.5–4.5 hours (without long stops) Bozeman Travel Blog

    • Paradise Valley portion is especially scenic with sweeping views of the Absaroka Range and the Yellowstone River. Hatch Adventures+1​

 Around Billings & East of Bozeman

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  1. Chief Joseph / Beartooth Scenic Byway

    • From Billings, take Highway 212 toward Red Lodge, connect into Beartooth Highway (US‑212) toward Cooke City / Yellowstone NE Entrance. visitbillings.com+1

    • One of the most dramatic drives in the region. visitbillings.com+1

  2. Beartooth Front Scenic Drive

    • ~46 miles on Highway 78 connecting Columbus and Red Lodge.

    • Rolling foothills, river valleys, mountain views. Avrex Travel

  3. Absarokee Loop Scenic Drive

    • A local loop around small towns and rural landscapes east of Billings. Avrex Travel

  4. Bighorn Mountain Vista Loop

    • Depart Billings toward Hardin, loop around the Bighorn region. ~150 miles total. visitbillings.com

  5. Little Bighorn Battlefield Loop

    • Historical + scenic: includes stops at Pompeys Pillar and other eastern Montana features. ~260 miles for the full loop.

Scenic Drives

Mountain Biking

Curated E-Bike Routes

Route / Trail
Distance & Elevation
Surface / Conditions
Highlights
Best For / Notes
Acton Recreation Area

~12 mi north‑northwest of Billings; many trails (~23 miles of trails) with varying difficulty.

Mix: gravel / natural terrain; some steep drainages; some technical parts.

More remote feel; varied scenery; less traffic; good for longer outings.

Solid choice if you don’t mind driving a little and want more rugged terrain. Good if your battery / motor can handle climbs.

Phipps Park – Upper Loop

~1‑2 hour loop depending on route; one section “Upper Loop” is steeper and more technical.

Singletrack + connector trails; rocky portions; steeper climbs.

Good challenge; scenic views; more solitude.

More suited for e‑MTB; if using a pavement‑only e‑bike you’ll want to avoid the rougher parts.

Chief Black Otter Trail (above Boothill / the Rims)

~6.3 mi (~10 km) moderate difficulty.

Mixed terrain: some singletrack, rugged segments, dirt, some steeper climbs.

Scenic views over Billings from the Rims; striking landscape, especially in the late afternoon light.

Better if your e‑bike has off‑road capability or good suspension, especially for steeper or rougher parts.

Billings West Commuter Trail

~10.6 km out‑and‑back (~6.6 mi)

Fully paved, gentle grades; urban/trail mix.

Goes through several parks (Stewart, Lillis, etc.); good for a lower‑stress ride.

Very e‑bike‑friendly; good if you want to keep close to town and avoid steep climbs or gravel. Nice option for recovery rides or shorter trips.

Jim Dutcher / Kiwanis Trail

~14.1 km (≈ 8.7 mi) return; modest elevation gain (~70 m) in parts.

Mostly paved, a few unpaved segments.

Follows Yellowstone River for stretches; passes through parks; relatively flat to rolling.

Great for easier rides; good for warming up or casual rides. If your e‑bike has decent range, this route affords relaxing scenery.

Skyline Trail

~7 miles one‑way paved, with rolling hills.

Fully paved; good trailheads at Zimmerman Park and Swords Park.

Great views of Yellowstone Valley, a view down from the Rimrocks, good vistas especially near sunrise/sunset.

Solid choice for an e‑bike on paved. Moderate effort for hills. Good for scenic ride without big technical challenges.

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Beautiful Nature

Insider Tip

  • Time Your Visit

    • Late June–early October is the best time to visit for hiking, fly fishing, and national parks.

    • September is ideal — fewer crowds, great weather, and vivid fall colors.

  • Expect Long Drives
    Montana is huge. Distances are deceptive, and cell service can be spotty — download offline maps in advance (Google Maps or Gaia GPS).

  • Wildlife Safety First

    • Always carry bear spray when hiking — and know how to use it.

  • Respect Local Culture​

    • “Local” can mean generations deep — don’t try to out-Montana a Montanan.

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