Red Lodge Montana Weather & Seasons
The area of Red Lodge, Montana shares similar weather patterns to the Yellowstone country.
Summer
Dates: June through August
Weather: Summers in Red Lodge yield typically cool and pleasant days. You won't experience the scorching heat of eastern Montana. Average summer daytime temperatures linger in the high 60s to low 70s. At night, the summer temperatures cool off rapidly and can drop to 43 degrees Farenheight. The summers also bring afternoon rainstorms that can include thunderheads. The storms move in quickly, so be prepared with rain gear, and schedule hikes and climbs to reach summits before noon in order to avoid lightning. Summer precipitation averages 1-2 inches per month.
Things to Do
- Camping
- Fishing
- Biking and Hiking
- Rafting
- Horseback Riding
- Beartooth Motorcycle Rally
- Pig Races
- Visit Yellowstone
- Beartooth Pass Scenic Drive
- Carbon County Museum
- Museum of Beartooths
- Cooney State Park
- Pictograph Cave
- Pompey's Pillar
- Meeteetse Trail
- Wild Bill Lake
- Stillwater River
- Red Lodge Music Festival
- Rodeo
- Festival of Nations
- Beartooth Pass Run
Fall
Dates: September and October
Weather: Fall appears to come early in Red Lodge. The days start to get noticeably shorter, and it is not uncommon to see snow in September. Although it is chilly, autumn awards visitors with vibrant foliage and spectacular sunsets. The nights are crisp and the temperatures can dip to 20 degrees Farenheight. Temperatures in the daytime can reach into the low 60s, but don't be surprised if it doesn't get above 40 degrees. Snow showers are likely throughout October and November.
Things to Do
- Hunting
- Yellowstone National Park
- Beartooth Pass Scenic Drive
- Carbon County Museum
- Museum of Beartooths
- Red Lodge Historic District
- Pictograph Cave
- Pompey's Pillar
- Metra Park
- Meeteetse Trail
- Camping
- Fishing
- Canoe/kayak
- Horseback Riding
- Golfing
Winter
Dates: November through March
Weather: Winters are cold and snowy in Red Lodge. High temperatures reach the mid-30s, while lows drop to the teens. Snow usually covers the ground by mid-December. Although snowfall averages just over a foot per month, some storms can dump several feet of snow in Red Lodge in one day. With the Red Lodge Mountain Resort, loads of powdery snow is expected and welcomed. For current snow reports, check out the Mountain Resort's webpage at www.redlodgemountain.com.
Things to Do
- Cross Country Skiing
- Skiing Red Lodge Mountain
- Snowshoeing
- Ice Fishing
- Sleigh Rides
- Snowcoach Tours
- Ice climbing
- Snowmobiling
- Carbon County Museum
- Museum of Beartooths
- Red Lodge Historic District
- Winter Carnival
- Christmas Stroll
Spring
Dates: April and May
Weather: At 9,416 feet of elevation, spring starts later in Red Lodge than it does in the plains. It is common to see snowstorms well into May. The average high temperature in the spring is about 50 degrees Farenheight. The average low temperature drops to about 20 degrees. Although it is still snowy, the spring days start to get longer and the birds begin to sing once again. Grasses are green by May.
Things to Do
- Biking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Scenic Drives
- Carbon County Museum
- Museum of Beartooths
- Red Lodge Historic District
- Cooney State Park
- Pictograph Cave
- Pompey's Pillar
- Metra Park
Year-Round
Whatever type of year you choose to visit Red Lodge, make sure you bring warm clothes. The weather in Red Lodge is known to change rapidly and unexpectedly. The old axiom, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes," definitely applies to Red Lodge. If you are staying at a guest ranch or venturing out with an outfitter, make sure you adhere to their clothing suggestions.
