Livingston, Montana: 10 Scenic Short Road Trips Worth the Drive

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10 Easy Road Trips from Livingston, Montana: Big Scenery Beyond Park County

Sitting in Livingston, Montana, you’re already surrounded by mountains and rivers. But what if you’ve hiked your favorite trails a dozen times and want something new—without driving all day? The good news: within about 1–3 hours of Livingston, you can explore ghost towns, hot springs, blue-ribbon trout streams, and classic cowboy bars, all in nearby counties and even just over the border in Wyoming. This guide covers **10 short out-of-county road trips** from Livingston, focusing on:
  • Carbon County, MT
  • Gallatin County, MT
  • Meagher County, MT
  • Stillwater County, MT
  • Sweet Grass County, MT
  • Park County, WY
No stops in Park County, MT itself—so these are true “get out of your backyard” adventures.

1. Red Lodge, MT – Mountain Town Charm in Carbon County

Red Lodge feels like the kind of western town you see in old postcards. It’s about **95 miles** from Livingston, usually around a **2-hour drive** depending on your route and weather. What makes it great? It’s small, walkable, and tucked right under the Beartooth Mountains. Things to do in Red Lodge:
  • Stroll Broadway Avenue – Pop into local shops, grab a coffee, or try a local beer. The historic brick buildings give it real character.
  • Hit the trails – In summer, short hikes like Lake Fork Trail offer big views without needing to be a hardcore hiker.
  • Winter fun – Red Lodge Mountain is a laid-back ski area with a local vibe and usually fewer crowds than big resorts.
If you like Livingston’s main street, you’ll feel right at home here—just with a slightly different mountain backdrop.

2. Beartooth Highway (Carbon County, MT & Park County, WY) – One of America’s Best Drives

Starting near Red Lodge and heading toward Cooke City and Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance, the **Beartooth Highway (U.S. 212)** is often called one of the most scenic drives in the country. From Livingston to the start of the pass near Red Lodge, plan around **2 hours**. Then give yourself at least another **2–3 hours** to enjoy the drive itself. Why you should go:
  • Jaw-dropping views – You’ll climb to over 10,000 feet, with alpine lakes, snow patches (even in June), and endless peaks.
  • Short scenic stops – You don’t have to do a big hike. Just pull over at overlooks, take photos, and breathe in that high-mountain air.
  • Wildlife spotting – Keep an eye out for mountain goats, marmots, and the occasional moose down in the valleys.
Weather changes fast up there. Even if it’s 80°F in Livingston, you may want a jacket, hat, and gloves at the top. It feels like driving from summer into late fall in an hour.

3. Big Sky, MT – Resort Town in Gallatin County

If you’re curious about a bigger resort scene, **Big Sky** is an easy road trip. It’s about **70 miles** from Livingston if you go through Bozeman, usually under **1.5 hours** in decent conditions. Highlights in Big Sky:
  • Big Sky Resort – In winter, it’s all about skiing and snowboarding. In summer, try scenic chairlift rides, zip lines, or hiking from the top.
  • Gallatin River adventures – Just outside Big Sky, guided rafting and fishing trips run along the Gallatin River (the same one from the movie A River Runs Through It).
  • Outdoor concerts & events – In summer, the town center often hosts live music, farmers markets, and festivals.
If Livingston feels like a quiet artist town, Big Sky is its more high-energy cousin—still beautiful, just a little more polished and resort-style.

4. Bozeman, MT – Culture and Coffee in Gallatin County

Sometimes you just need a bit of city energy—without actually going to a big city. **Bozeman** is about **30 miles** west of Livingston, a quick **30–40 minute** drive along I‑90. Things to do on a Bozeman day trip:
  • Downtown Main Street – Explore local shops, outdoor gear stores, and plenty of cafes and restaurants.
  • American Computer & Robotics Museum – Surprisingly fun, even if you’re not a tech nerd. It’s small, so it’s easy to fit into a short visit.
  • Museum of the Rockies – Famous for dinosaur fossils and exhibits about Montana’s history. Great for families.
  • Bozeman Hot Springs (Four Corners area) – A nice soak after hiking or shopping, with indoor and outdoor pools.
If you live in or near Livingston, Bozeman makes a perfect “city fix” for rainy days or off-season weekends.

5. White Sulphur Springs, MT – Quiet Soak in Meagher County

Craving a hot soak without resort crowds? Head to **White Sulphur Springs** in Meagher County. From Livingston, it’s usually about a **2-hour drive** (around 110–120 miles depending on your route). Why it’s worth the drive:
  • Hot mineral springs – The local hot springs offer simple, no-frills soaking with that classic Montana feel.
  • Small-town vibe – You’ll find a handful of bars, cafes, and friendly locals—nothing fancy, but very welcoming.
  • Scenic drive – Getting there is half the fun: rolling ranchland, mountains in the distance, and wide-open skies.
It’s the kind of place where you slow down, unplug, and remember what “quiet” actually sounds like.

6. Crazy Mountains Views Near Melville – Sweet Grass County Scenery

North of Big Timber in **Sweet Grass County**, the little community of **Melville** sits under the sharp peaks of the Crazy Mountains. From Livingston to the Melville area, plan on about **1.5 hours** and roughly **70–80 miles**, depending on backroads. There aren’t big attractions or theme parks up here—just huge views and peaceful ranch country. Ways to enjoy the Crazy Mountains area:
  • Scenic driving – Take the back roads north from Big Timber and just wander (on established roads, of course). The Crazies rise almost straight out of the prairie.
  • Photography – This is classic “big sky country.” Sunrise and sunset can be incredible.
  • Country church and ranch scenes – You’ll see working ranches, hay fields, and old barns that look like something from a calendar.
If you’re a photographer or just love open spaces, this is an easy, low-key day trip.

7. Big Timber & Natural Bridge – Sweet Grass County Surprise

Just east along I‑90 sits **Big Timber** in Sweet Grass County, about **50 miles** from Livingston and usually under **1 hour** of driving. Near Big Timber, you’ll find one of the more surprising sights in central Montana: the **Natural Bridge** area along the Boulder River (now more of a falls and gorge, but still dramatic). What to do:
  • Walk the Natural Bridge area – Short trails and viewpoints show off the rushing water carving through the rock. It’s easy access, so great for families.
  • Explore Big Timber – Grab a burger or pie in town, browse local shops, and enjoy the slow pace.
  • Scenic Boulder River road – The drive along the Boulder River south of town offers classic Montana canyon views.
This trip works well if you want a half-day adventure that still gets you home for dinner in Livingston.

8. Stillwater River Country – Absarokee & Nye in Stillwater County

For a less crowded corner of Montana, head to **Stillwater County** and the **Stillwater River** valley near Absarokee and Nye. From Livingston to Absarokee, plan on roughly **2 hours** and about **100 miles**, depending on your route. Why go:
  • Scenic river valley – The Stillwater River is fast, clear, and beautiful. You’ll drive through ranch land with mountains closing in around you.
  • Fishing & rafting – Outfitters in the area can help you get on the river if you want to cast a line or run some whitewater.
  • Backroad exploring – This area feels less touristy than some spots near Yellowstone or Bozeman.
If you like the Yellowstone River around Livingston but want to see something different, the Stillwater makes a great change of pace.

9. Chief Joseph Scenic Byway – Park County, Wyoming

Just over the border in **Park County, Wyoming**, the **Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY 296)** connects the Clarks Fork Valley to the Beartooth Highway and Cooke City. From Livingston, expect around **3 hours** of driving to reach the start of the byway, depending on your route. What makes it special:
  • Deep history – This route roughly follows the path taken by Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce during their 1877 journey.
  • Big mountain switchbacks – The road curls up and over high passes with huge views of rugged country.
  • Photo stops galore – Plan plenty of time to pull over and just stare. It’s that good.
Many travelers combine the Chief Joseph Byway with the Beartooth Highway for an all-day loop that ranks among the best mountain drives in the West.

10. Cody, WY – Western History in Park County, Wyoming

If you’re up for a full-day road trip, **Cody** in Park County, WY, is a fantastic option. From Livingston, it’s usually about **3–3.5 hours** of driving, depending on which route you take. Highlights in Cody:
  • Buffalo Bill Center of the West – A cluster of museums under one roof covering western art, Plains Indian history, firearms, and more. You can easily spend a whole afternoon here.
  • Old Trail Town – Restored frontier buildings and artifacts give a real feel for early Wyoming life.
  • Summer rodeos – Cody calls itself the “Rodeo Capital of the World,” and summer brings regular shows.
If you love western history and want a bigger-town feel than Livingston, Cody makes a great weekend getaway or long day trip.

Tips for Planning Your Livingston Road Trips

To make the most of your Montana and Wyoming adventures:
  • Check road and weather conditions – Mountain passes like Beartooth and Chief Joseph can close due to snow, even late in spring or early fall.
  • Fuel up often – Gas stations can be far apart once you leave the interstates.
  • Pack layers – It might be 80°F in Livingston and 40°F with wind up high.
  • Carry water and snacks – Some stretches have few services, especially in Meagher, Stillwater, and Sweet Grass counties.
  • Respect private land – Much of the countryside is working ranch land. Stay on public roads and marked access points.

Share Your Favorite Livingston Road Trips

These **10 easy road trips from Livingston, Montana** barely scratch the surface of what you can find in:
  • Carbon County, MT
  • Gallatin County, MT
  • Meagher County, MT
  • Stillwater County, MT
  • Sweet Grass County, MT
  • Park County, WY
Have you driven the Beartooth Highway at sunrise? Found a hidden café in Big Timber or Red Lodge? Or soaked in hot springs after a long winter drive? I’d love to hear about it. Please share your favorite out-of-county day trips from Livingston in the comments—and if you found this guide helpful, go ahead and share it with a friend or on social media. Your ideas might inspire someone’s next Montana road trip.
Location: Georgetown, IN, USA

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