Red Lodge, Montana is a charming, quintessential town nestled in the Beartooth Mountains.
If I win the lottery, I would share, satisfy a philanthropic list, and indulge in three modest homes. I don’t need lavish—I long for location.
They would be located in:
Manarola, Italy
Tenby, Saundersfoot or Newport (the one in Pembrokeshire), Wales
And … no surprise to anyone who knows me, Red Lodge, Montana
What these places have in common is that they are small towns. Around two thousand or less people small.
But Red Lodge…
What Red Lodge has most unique to it is a collection of eclectic people from everywhere under the sun. How this little town at the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains came to be found by so many is amazing. Each of their stories is personal, some simple, some complicated.
Jackie and her husband had taken a family vacation from Pennsylvania to Glacier Park and around the state only to stop for gas, chat with someone who asked, But have you been to Red Lodge? Off they went, became enthralled, home they arrived, and move they did.
I found the place, via a visit to them (from California), a year later. Home I went and move I did. First to Laurel, then Park City, then to Red Lodge for most of my ten years in the state.
In my trips back since I came to Pittsburgh too many years ago, Red Lodge has never lost its magic. It captivates my heart each time we approach the town via Highway 212 from Billings or Route 78 via Columbus, and it never stops the entire time I’m there.
There are people to see … you know who you are.
Things to do … pick a direction and find a hiking trail, downhill ski at Red Lodge Montana or cross country ski at the Nordic Center. Want to go to Yellowstone Park? The Beartooth Highway is the most scenic drive into it.
Food to eat … linger over a meal with friends at some of the best dining you can have.
Skies to be admired … It is big and in the daylight you can see forever and in the night, with limited lights, you can see the stars in a way no city dweller can.
Do a search on Red Lodge Calendar of Events and you get multiple hits. It’s an active community and it’s not solely for tourists—the locals get into the Festival of Nations, The National Ski Joring Finals, and the Labor Day Arts Fair as much as any visitor. The event I miss the most, although it takes place in the first (cold) week of December, is the Christmas Stroll. Street vendors, businesses feeding you for the joy of it, running into friends you haven’t seen since the first snow of the season fell—it’s an enjoyably brisk way to see the town.
New York City, London, Milan … huge cities I like visiting. But there’s something about the quaintness of a small town that draws me in and makes me want to kick back and absorb. Which do you prefer?
Here’s an article I wrote about the town as well as travel tips—just go to the Local Area Guide menu.
If you are interested in purchasing gallery-quality photographs of Red Lodge (and much, much more), please visit: the award-winning Merv Coleman Photography.
Red Lodge, Montana has My Heart
As I wind down my visit to this wonderful town, I have to add a couple of snippets:
Jackie, HQ and I were visiting in the grocery store parking lot (I had been inside, dancing with an unknown woman to “Happy”). A car with Pennsylvania plates executed a perfect back-in park to the space in front of us. Jackie applauded the man, I asked, “Where in PA?” “Pittsburgh,” he responded. Me, too, and I named my community. Yep—they are from the same municipality. Red Lodge so enticed them that their one planned night here was now on day three.
Someone I try to see every visit is the former mayor, Brian. He’s a gem and sheer delight. Jackie called him, left a message, then did a house drive-by. Not home. Off we went to another part of town, pulled up to a stop sign, looked left as Jackie’s phone rang. Brian was parked there and was dialing us even as the car pulled to a stop.
I’m definitely a city person. However, whenever I leave the city and go someplace a little less crowded, I totally feel myself let out a big sigh of relief. There is something to be said for taking some time to relax in someplace more low-key. I’ve never been anywhere in Montana, but Red Lodge seems like a great place to unwind. The Christmas Stroll seems lovely, but after spending so many years living in a warm climate, I think I would be too much of an icicle to enjoy it!
Yes, my last Christmas Stroll, the winter of 2009, happened to be one where we all wanted to wear full-length down coats, those great fur hats the Russians have and sherpa-lined boots that came up to our knees. Sadly, we weren’t dressed that way and froze in the huge gusts and pelting snow. Whew, good thing I remembered that, I might have been due to move back!
That said, Erica, the summer is a wonderful time to visit for a sun-oriented person. The drive from Red Lodge to Yellowstone Park via the Beartooth Pass is breathtakingly beautiful. A lunch stop over in the tiny town of Cooke City is a treat.
“…in the night, with limited lights, you can see the stars in a way no city dweller can.”
Oh yeah? Can you see all eight (main) stars in the constellation of Canis Major? If so, then I myself may have to get up there. Woof!
Hi Andy! Not sure where in the USA you are located, but so far for me, there is no where else in the Continental US where I have seen the stars the way I have in Montana. I grew up in a very rural part of Pennsylvania and starlight was a natural part of my upbringing. I’ve travel to Hawaii, where there are still those beautifully dark-sky places. But for me, Montana. Oh wow, Montana. That night sky and sunrise sky and sunset sky…Stunning!
I don’t know why I feel this but Montana has a hip “Artsy” mystique that the other plain states lack. I lived in North Dakota for 4 years and let me tell you, ND does NOT have it. Bozeman is a great big sky town, I love it ! And I don’t even ski, just a great feel and wonderful people.
You are quite right about the feel of Bozeman–it is eclectic. Way beyond being defined as a western town. Red Lodge is unique, too, just on a much smaller scale. It feels good being there.
Rose, I loved this writeup of Red Lodge and the picture taken in winter-time. I am fortunate enough to live near – not in – several small towns – one population 500 and the other 3500. We also live in the middle of conservation land (it used to be ours but we sold it to a conservation society) on ten acres so total solitude. The scenery is gorgeous and as I was reading this I kept wondering, why the heck did you move? I think you were meant to live there. I think the day you do you’ll start being inundated with BHB members visiting you 🙂
Oh is that how I finally get to meet BHB people, Lenie! HA! That’d be fantastic! I truly loved the ten years in MT (all but two of them in Red Lodge). It is a great community–it is family like in squabbles you can have and how you choose to/not to get over those things.
Your location sounds wonderful! I may need to head north! Perhaps in the spring time…
Whether we travel in the US or abroad we love visit the small towns. These towns I call hidden jewels.
I’m with you, Arleen. I’m okay in a big city for a few days, but I have to include smaller towns or the trip just isn’t relaxing for me.
We’ve been looking for a great little town in MT to visit! Thanks!
You won’t be disappointed by Red Lodge, or the larger (maybe 20k people) Bozeman. Both are great. Ah, and such good food in both places. Red Lodge’s vintage Piney Dell or the Pollard Hotel–oh yummy food!
Wonderful discovery Rose and you know what, I’m heading to Idaho/Wyoming/Montana next September for a month-long road trip and I’ve just added Red Lodge to the itinerary … I can hardly wait!
Marquita, send me an email if you want any tips on Montana. I love sharing it with people!
That town looks so beautiful and peaceful. A place where people say hello and know one another.
In my early twenties I preferred the buzz of a big city – think New York. Now I dream of house with land – lots of it, maybe even a horse and stables. I can enjoy the hustle and bustle for a while, then I want to escape. Probably the introvert in me sneaking out!
Thank you for sharing this.
Phoenicia, wouldn’t the ideal be to have a big country house, lots of land to run in and then a cute little apartment in a bustling city? The best of both worlds!
I like going to small hidden away places. I work in a larger city now, but sometimes I just have to drive away in the mountains. Every place I see, that is small reminds me of my hometown. A simpler way of life, a place to rest. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I agree, William. The bigger the city I have lived in, the more I need to run away to the country. In Pittsburgh, where we live we are short distances from a multitude of parks. That really helps!
I just love those hidden small towns nobody would think to travel to. This town sounds great and so much to do there. I’m sure it was awesome! May have to get in my bucket list of places to visit. 🙂
You won’t be disappointed, Susan. Although I’m sad to say one of the tastiest restaurants in town is closing…unless someone buys it really soon. Up for the task, food & wine lady? 🙂
Sounds like a slice of heaven to me! Loved the write up. I think you are destined to be there:)
It will always be a favorite place.
Awesome write up! Makes me appreciate my little town even more!
It’s good to view home through someone else’s eyes just for that reason!
I’ve only been to Montana once and that was by accident. I got lost in Yellowstone and ended up exiting into West Yellowstone. But I saw enough to know I’d like to go back.
West Yellowstone is a great little spot, Ken, but get thee back out here and aim for Yellowstone’s northeast entrance–you may be a while getting back east.