Red Lodge Montana - Meeteetse Wyoming Trail

Nestled at the foot of the scenic Beartooth Mountains is the quaint historic town of Red Lodge, Montana. The seat of Carbon County, Red Lodge is located 50 miles southwest of Billings on US 212 near the Wyoming state line in south central Montana.

Red Lodge is the gateway to Yellowstone National Park and is known for its proximity to Beartooth Highway. This route climbs through rugged and magnificent alpine scenery to an elevation of 10,947 feet. Views of glacial lakes, clear streams and wildflower meadows led CBS journalist, Charles Kuralt, to describe it as "the most spectacular highway in America."

RED LODGE HISTORY

Red Lodge has roots that reach back to the European homes of its diverse founders. The discovery of coal and the Northern Pacific Railroad's coal hungry locomotives spelled prosperity. Finns, Italians, Irish, and Scandinavians were some of the foreigners that came to mine this wealth.

By 1892, Red Lodge's population had reached 1,180, just 700 less than that of the 1990 census. As mining companies took control, Red Lodge became a vibrant town boasting saloons, sports, and lots of action. But the Great Depression forced many mines to close. To offset economic ills, illegal bootleg liquor, labeled "syrup", was made locally and marketed as far as Chicago and San Francisco.

Dr. J.C.F. Siegfriedt saw potential in Red Lodge's beauty and dreamed of a "high road" connecting Red Lodge and Cooke City. In 1931, federal funds were secured and five years later Beartooth Highway officially opened.

In 1943 tragedy hit Smith Mine near Bearcreek, the area's largest remaining mine, killing 74 miners. It was the worst coal mine disaster in Montana's history. Shortly thereafter the mines fell silent forever.

Today, Red Lodge is one of Montana's most enjoyable places to visit and live. Red Lodge is a summer paradise for hikers, anglers, campers and sightseers, and a winter playground for skiers and snowmobilers.

MEETEETSE WYOMING TRAIL

Founded in the 1890's, Meeteetse is an old Shoshone word for "meeting place." The town retains much of its original character with wooden boardwalks, wooden watering troughs, hitching rails and many old buildings from the turn of the century.

MEETEETSE TRAIL

The Meeteetse Trail is a country road that winds its way around the mountains into Meeteetse, Wyoming. This scenic 4WD road began as an army supply trail in 1881 that started at Meeteetse, Wyoming, went through Red Lodge, and continued on to Coulson (now Billings). The trail brought the first mail, supplies, and settlers the 100-mile distance from Meeteetse to Red Lodge, and was originally called the "100 Mile Route." Several years after its opening, stage coaches began to travel the Meeteetse regularly.

To retrace the steps of the past, take Highway 212 three quarter miles south of Red Lodge and then the gravel road angling southeast and across Rock Creek. You will emerge on Highway 72 near the Montana/Wyoming border.