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 explore the museum in a variety of ways. They can simply explore the museum alone, or they can opt for a guided group tour.
There is also even an option to take a tour that includes an art lesson, meaning guests will have a chance to develop their art skills.
After exploring the museum, visitors can enjoy a coffee or a snack at raven’s cafe d’art. Guests can also shop at the YAMstore which offers books, jewelry, prints, gifts, and more.
Overall, this is a great way to learn more about local artists in the Billings and Lockwood area.
5. Moss Mansion
Moss Mansion is an exquisite mansion in Billings, Montana that was built in 1903. This house was designed by New York architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh and is filled with gorgeous architecture.
There is wood-paneling, walls with gold threading, and marble fireplaces. Each room in the mansion also has a distinctive theme.
Visitors can enjoy either guided or self-guided tours throughout the home. Guided tours offer the chance for visitors to learn about the history of the mansion and its design.
Visitors can also explore the gift shop at the mansion which offers books, mugs, jewelry, toys, and other fun trinkets.
The Moss Mansion also hosts several events throughout the year, including many fundraising events. There are unique events that guests can enjoy like Murder Mystery Dinners and Trunks and Treasures Tours.
You can even check out a 360° tour of the Moss Musem via the Billings Gazette’s YouTube page.
Tickets are $12 for self-paced tours and $15 for guided tours. This area can also be reserved for weddings and private parties.
6. Yellowstone County Museum
The small but quaint Yellowstone County Museum offers visitors a chance to learn about Yellowstone County’s history.
The museum focuses on the prehistory of the Plains/Montana. The museum offers exhibits on materials specific to 10 Northern Plains Indian Tribes, western expansion, mining, cattle/sheep herding industries, transportation industries, military, various medical fields, music, textiles, household goods, and personal goods.
Visitors can enjoy exploring the museum and visiting some of the popular exhibits such as the Lewis and Clark Fur Trading Exhibit which showcases goods and fur trader accouterments.
Tourists also won’t have to spend any money as the museum is free. This is great for visitors who have a strict budget well traveling, but still want to enjoy exploring Montana.
After visiting the museum, visitors can also enjoy shopping at the small gift shop. The shop sells a variety of items including jewelry and toys. Overall, this is a great museum for families or those interested in Montana’s history.
7. Liberty & Vine County Store
For those who love to shop, you should consider visiting Liberty & Vine County store.
Located in one of the oldest buildings in Billings, this 11,000 square feet shop offers a variety of items. There are several unique country goods sold here.
Visitors can find everything from clothes, candles, and soap here. There are even holiday items sometimes sold here depending on the season. Visitors can also find antique furniture here.
There is a variety of great vintage finds here. This is also a great place to buy gifts for your family and friends back at home, as there is almost everything you can think of being sold here.
You can also shop for groceries here well staying in Lockwood as this store also has a grocery section. The grocery section has local cheeses, meats, eggs, grains, and dairy.
There really is everything at this grocery store, meaning you could easily spend hours just exploring this store alone!