Distance, loop: Approximately 1.5 miles
Trailhead: Recreation Area Parking Lot
Four Dances is designated a Special Recreation Management Area. Through cooperative efforts, landowners, the Yellowstone River Parks Association, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) preserved 765 acres of undeveloped open space in Billings.
These public lands mostly consist of native sagebrush/grassland, ponderosa pine in the rocky outcrop areas near the river cliffs, and cottonwood riparian. Four Dances is designated a special recreation management area and an area of critical environmental concern. The BLM's objective for the site is to protect the open space and natural and cultural resources, while providing dispersed public recreation in Billings. This area is located on a plateau 2 miles east of downtown Billings and is bordered on the east side by Coburn Road. The plateau is edged with cliffs that drop 200-500 feet to the river. The west boundary is the Yellowstone River. Activities include wildlife watching, hiking, nature photography, and environmental education. This area is for non-motorized day use only. For protection of the area’s values and public safety, the area is closed to horseback riding, use of fireworks, hang gliding, rock climbing, paintball activities, the discharging of firearms, and exercising pets off leash.
There is a parking lot with restrooms and signage. Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and nature watching are available. No bicycles, motorized vehicles, or horses are allowed. A quarter mile footpath leads to the top of a rimrock wall overlooking the Yellowstone River.
Map: 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle USGS Billings East
Township 1 North. Range 26 East, Sections 34 and 35, Township 1 South, Range 26 East, Section 1 and 2.
Directions
This recreation area is readily accessible from I-90 using the Montana Highway 87 off-ramp, turn right immediately at the first right turn (Coburn Road) and follow the road south approximately 1.5 miles to the entrance. This road also continues to Pictograph Cave State Park and is well signed.This recreation area is readily accessible from I-90 using the Montana Highway 87 off-ramp, turn right immediately at the first right turn (Coburn Road) and follow the road south approximately 1.5 miles to the entrance. This road also continues to Pictograph Cave State Park and is well signed.
