Get to Know Your Neighbors, Red Lodge!

If you've visited Red Lodge, you know we aren't exaggerating when we say it's one of our favorite mountain towns. Before its establishment in 1884, the valley was Crow country, where Natives came each summer to worship, rest and hunt. In 1887, the Rocky Fork Coal Co. began operations, and hundreds of immigrants came to Red Lodge to find work.

It was a lively time, with twenty saloons and a burgeoning population.

Colorful characters such as Buffalo Bill Cody, Calamity Jane and Frederick Remington frequented the historic Pollard Hotel. In 1897, guests witnessed the Sundance Kid rob Red Lodge Bank from the hotel windows. The Pollard is still a wonderful place to stay in the heart of downtown Red Lodge. The Yodeler Motel is another great lodging option, slightly away from the bustle yet still near downtown.  

Coal mining began to dwindle with the advent of strip mining, and in 1943, an underground explosion killed 74 men at Smith Mine, devastating the community and effectively ending mining. Resourceful citizens began producing bootleg liquor (known as cough syrup), supplying "patients" ranging from the Midwest to the California coast.

The Beartooth Highway began construction in 1931 to attract more visitors to Yellowstone National Park. Today, 300-400,000 people travel the highway each year, many on motorcycles, and come for one of the annual rallies: the Beartooth Rally, Iron Horse Rodeo or Beartooth Rendezvous BMW Motorcycle Rally.

Red Lodge is a lively community with genuine Western hospitality. You'll find laughter at the tavern and groups gathered over coffee for an early morning chat.

As a visitor, there's plenty to do!  Red Lodge Mountain and Golf Course, the Red Lodge Nordic Center, plus exceptional dining, shopping, museums, galleries and live entertainment. Bring your appetite; the food here is off-the-charts good!

If you plan to visit, download the Historic Self-Guided Walking Tour and plan your trip at redlodge.com.