Montana is well known for being the home of Glacier National Park, as well as the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park.
But it is also blessed with 55 State Parks that are well worth checking out too.
Showcasing everything from stunning mountain ranges and picturesque meadows replete with gorgeous wildflowers, to mysterious underground caverns and spectacular iceberg lakes, it is very easy to see why Montana is often referred to as the ‘Last Best Place’ on earth.
Terrific places to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, Montana’s state parks provide lots of opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreational pursuits like swimming, fishing, hiking, boating, hunting and camping, all throughout the year.
For those who live in, or very near the city of Billings, there are several places you can head to in the Big Sky State, for a little fix of nature.
Showcased below is a selection of 5 of the best state parks near Billings we recommend you pay a visit to.
Map of State Parks Near Billings MT
Here is a map of the state parks in Montana covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Billings
The five state parks near Billings outlined below can all be reached within a four hour drive of the city.
Between them, they also all offer a several camping options for those who want to spend a few days in the area.
1. Lake Elmo State Park
Distance from Billings: about 4 miles north of Billings (straight-line).
Location: Foot bridge, Billings, Montana 59105
Lake Elmo State Park is a public recreation area located on the northeast side of Billings, Montana.
Highlights associated with Lake Elmo State Park include beach access and lake recreation.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a designated swimming area, a boat launch, a fishing pier, and playgrounds.
See our full Lake Elmo State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Pictograph Cave State Park
Distance from Billings: about 5 miles southeast of Billings (straight-line).
Location: 3401 Coburn Rd
Billings, MT 59101
Situated in Billings, this day-use park is named after its main attraction, the fascinating pictograph caves.
Highlights associated with Pictograph Cave State Park include lake recreation, river access, and glacial landscapes.
See our full Pictograph Cave State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Cooney State Park
Distance from Billings: about 38 miles west of Billings (straight-line).
Location: 86 Lake Shore Rd, Roberts, MT 59070
Spread across 309 acres, Cooney State Park faces three sides of a reservoir. So it is the perfect spot to go if you love fishing, kayaking, boating, water-skiing, windsurfing and canoeing.
Reached via a 45 minute drive south west of Billings, this place is always busy in the summer with anglers particularly attracted to the plentiful rainbow trout and walleye they can catch.
All up the park features five campgrounds, offering a total of 82 campsites, of which 19 have electricity. It also has three group use areas that are available on a daily basis, around the fringes of the lake.
As well as a trio of boat ramps that come with docks, the park offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, bicycling, bird watching, picnicking and photography in the summer. While cross-country skiing, ice skating and snowshoeing are popular in the winter.
Amenities at the park include flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water, a public restroom and a playground. As well as established fire pits and trash removal.
See our full Cooney State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park
Distance from Billings: about 62 miles west of Billings (straight-line).
Location: Greycliff, MT
Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park is a Montana state park located on the eastern edge of the community of Greycliff.
Highlights associated with Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park include lake recreation, river access, and glacial landscapes.
See our full Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Rosebud Battlefield State Park
Distance from Billings: about 82 miles southeast of Billings (straight-line).
Location: Rosebud, MT
Rosebud Battlefield State Park covers 3,052 acres in Big Horn County, Montana. Established 1972.
Highlights associated with Rosebud Battlefield State Park include lake recreation, river access, and glacial landscapes.
See our full Rosebud Battlefield State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
