Billings Best: Self-Guided Driving Tour of Iconic Montana Sites
Places: 25 POIs
Distance: 27.98 mi
Duration: 1h:20m
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Tour #2644
About this English self-guided 1h:20m driving tour in Billings
Welcome to Billings, Montana — the “Magic City,” a nickname it earned back in the 1880s when the town seemed to appear almost overnight. With the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railroad, what was once open prairie suddenly filled with streets, stores, and saloons — a boom so fast that locals said it grew as if by magic. And that name stuck!
I’m your UCPlaces guide, and together we’re going to explore the very best of Billings — from its historic downtown landmarks to its grand old homes, quiet parks, and dramatic river views. We’ve carefully designed this route to show you not just the sights, but the spirit of this remarkable city — where frontier history meets modern Montana charm.
Along the way, you’ll pass icons like the Northern Hotel, once the social hub for railroad travelers and visiting presidents; the Moss Mansion, an architectural masterpiece built in 1903 that tells the story of Billings’ early prosperity; and the Best Western ClockTower Inn, a local landmark that’s home to one of the city’s favorite breakfast spots.
We’ll also cruise through tree-lined neighborhoods that reveal how Billings evolved from a railroad outpost into Montana’s largest and most vibrant city. You’ll cross the Yellowstone River, the lifeblood of this region, and eventually reach our grand finale — Pictograph Cave State Park, where ancient rock art offers a window into thousands of years of human history.
Make sure to follow the navigation closely — we may loop around a few times to capture the best views, but that’s part of the experience. So sit back, relax, and get ready to see Billings as few ever do — through its stories, its people, and its magic.
Let’s begin our journey through Billings — Montana’s Magic City!
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
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Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
RG39+3P, Billings, MT 59105, USA
Historic Boothill Cemetery
On your left is Boothill Cemetery, one of Billings’ most historic and storied landmarks. This quiet hill once overlooked the old town of Coulson, a rough frontier settlement that thrived briefly before Billings was founded. The cemetery got its name because many of the early residents “died with their boots on” — a common phrase in the Old West for those who met sudden or heroic ends during those untamed days.
One of the most remarkable people buried here is H.M. “Muggins” Taylor, a scout and frontiersman whose quick action became part of American history. In June of 1876, Taylor was serving as a courier when he stumbled upon survivors of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, where General George Armstrong Custer and his men had been defeated. Taylor rode for miles through rugged country to carry that news — the first word of Custer’s defeat — back to the telegraph office in Bozeman, Montana. His message spread across the nation, shocking the country and shaping the way history would remember that battle.
The stone monument ahead, built in the early 1900s, honors Taylor and all the settlers, soldiers, and pioneers who helped build this region. From this hilltop, you can see the Yellowstone River and imagine the days when this was still a lawless outpost — a time when courage, grit, and a fast horse could change the course of history.
One of the most remarkable people buried here is H.M. “Muggins” Taylor, a scout and frontiersman whose quick action became part of American history. In June of 1876, Taylor was serving as a courier when he stumbled upon survivors of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, where General George Armstrong Custer and his men had been defeated. Taylor rode for miles through rugged country to carry that news — the first word of Custer’s defeat — back to the telegraph office in Bozeman, Montana. His message spread across the nation, shocking the country and shaping the way history would remember that battle.
The stone monument ahead, built in the early 1900s, honors Taylor and all the settlers, soldiers, and pioneers who helped build this region. From this hilltop, you can see the Yellowstone River and imagine the days when this was still a lawless outpost — a time when courage, grit, and a fast horse could change the course of history.
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Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 1.38mi
Swords Park, Swords Park, Swords Park Dr, Billings, MT 59105, USA
Swords Park Rimrock Views
Welcome to Swords Park, part of the beautiful Rimrocks area that defines Billings’ skyline. You’re now driving along Chief Black Otter Trail, a road that hugs the top of these sandstone cliffs and offers some of the best views anywhere in the city. The park stretches for nearly 60 acres along the rim and features walking and biking trails that wind right along the cliff edge, giving you sweeping views of the Yellowstone River valley and the city below.
This is a one-way-in, one-way-out drive, so we’ll follow the same road back after reaching the end of the loop later on your right. Just follow the navigation and take your time — this is all about the view.
The park is named after Nelson Story and the Swords family, early settlers who helped shape the Billings community. But the road you’re on — Chief Black Otter Trail — honors a revered Crow tribal leader who lived in this region long before the city existed.
There are several scenic overlooks along this stretch, and each one gives a slightly different view of the valley, the river, and even the distant Beartooth Mountains on a clear day. It’s a favorite local spot for sunset walks, morning runs, or just sitting quietly to take in the vast Montana sky.
The views from the rim are truly spectacular and give you a sense of how wild and wide this land once was.
This is a one-way-in, one-way-out drive, so we’ll follow the same road back after reaching the end of the loop later on your right. Just follow the navigation and take your time — this is all about the view.
The park is named after Nelson Story and the Swords family, early settlers who helped shape the Billings community. But the road you’re on — Chief Black Otter Trail — honors a revered Crow tribal leader who lived in this region long before the city existed.
There are several scenic overlooks along this stretch, and each one gives a slightly different view of the valley, the river, and even the distant Beartooth Mountains on a clear day. It’s a favorite local spot for sunset walks, morning runs, or just sitting quietly to take in the vast Montana sky.
The views from the rim are truly spectacular and give you a sense of how wild and wide this land once was.
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Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Historic Boothill Cemetery
Place 2
Swords Park Rimrock Views
Place 3
MSU Billings Campus
Place 4
Dehler Baseball Park
Place 5
North Park — Billings’ Classic Green Heart
Place 6
Yellowstone Art Museum — Creativity at the Edge of the Rimrocks
Place 7
Alberta Bair Theater and the Historic Masonic Temple
Place 8
Billings Public Library and Far West Gallery
Place 9
Montana Avenue — The Historic Heart of Billings
Place 10
Billings Depot
Place 11
Best Western ClockTower Inn
Place 12
Northern Hotel
Place 13
Moss Mansion Museum
Place 14
I.D. O’Donnell House
Place 15
Fratt-Link House
Place 16
On Our Way to the Yellowstone River Crossing
Place 17
Lake Josephine
Place 18
Crossing the Yellowstone River
Place 19
Billings Fun Facts
Place 20
Pictograph Cave State Park
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 25 stops, covering top attractions such as Historic Boothill Cemetery, Swords Park Rimrock Views, MSU Billings Campus, Dehler Baseball Park, North Park — Billings’ Classic Green Heart.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Historic Boothill Cemetery (Address: RG39+3P, Billings, MT 59105, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!