Lockwood, Montana is a small town near Billings, Montana. It has a suburban feel, with many locals who work in Billings choosing to live here due to its quieter atmosphere.
Although quite small, the community is growing every year and it’s likely that the area will eventually become a popular alternative to Billings as a place to stay for tourists visiting Montana.
Just like Billings, Lockwood is near several famous destinations, including Yellowstone National Park. There are also outdoor recreational activities closer to towns such as the Pictograph State Park and Pompey’s Pillar Monument.
For those looking to enjoy more urban activities such as shopping and dining, the nearby town Billings provides plenty of options.
Overall, Lockwood is a good town to visit if you are looking to stay somewhere more quiet and less crowded. It is still nearby Billings, meaning you can still have access to many stores nearby.
Visitors will find the small town charm with convenient access to a bigger city means there are plenty of things to do in Lockwood, Montana. Here are just a few!
Things to do in Lockwood, MT
When it comes to the outdoors, Lockwood is far from short in the options available.
Aside from being about 4 hours away from Yellowstone, there are also state parks closer by and beautiful recreational areas.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy exploring all the excellent nature the surrounding areas of Lockwood have to offer.
1. Pictograph State Park
If you enjoy exploring caves or learning about Montana’s rich history, you’ll love visiting Pictograph State Park. This park has over 100 pictographs with some of the rock art even being over 2,000 years old.
The park has three caves, the Pictograph, Middle, and Ghost Cave. The caves were home to prehistoric hunters once and 30,000 artifacts were found in them.
Well walking through the caves, visitors can learn more about their history of them by reading the signs posted. With a good set of binoculars, visitors can also get a better look at the rock art.
The cave also has a visitor center and gift shop. Many visitors also enjoy bird watching here. Typically tourists spend around 2 hours here, so it’s a great place to visit for a day trip.
2. Pompey’s Pillar
Pompey’s Pillar is a beautiful national monument that is visited by many tourists every year. This is the only remaining on-site physical evidence of Lewis and Clark’s expedition.
The monument is home to Clark’s signature which was carved into the sandstone. Native American petroglyphs can also be found here, as the Crows and other Native American peoples once camped here.
This is a great place to visit for not only those who are interested in history but also anyone who enjoys the outdoors.
Because Pompey’s Pillar is also located 200 feet above the Yellowstone River, there are some exquisite views of nature. The site is also considered great for bird watching.
Near the pillar, there is also Riverwalk and Interperartive center. Here visitors can learn more about the history of the pillar, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the local flora and fauna in the area through the various exhibits.
3. Lake Elmo
Just 3.3 miles from Lockwood is Lake Elmo. This lake is considered excellent for fishing and boating. There is also a short hiking trail here. Dog owners will also appreciate that there is a dog park here.
Many people enjoy going boating at the lake here, and there are a variety of ways to explore the area. Motorized boats are not allowed, but visitors can still enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and more.
Visitors can also even swim in the lake if they’d like.
For fishers, there is a variety of fish here including perch, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, and more. You can enjoy catching fish in a variety of ways here too including, spinning, baitcasting, and even fly fishing.
4. Yellowstone Art Museum
Visitors in Lockwood may enjoy taking a trip to Billings nearby where there is a thriving arts culture. At the Yellowstone Art Museum, guests can contemporary art by local artists.
Visitors can explor