Summit Field Trips
Photo: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Pictograph Cave State Park + Four Dances Recreation Area
About: Join us for a unique field trip exploring two of Billings’ most significant cultural and natural sites.
At Pictograph Cave State Park, we’ll step back thousands of years to explore rock art and interpretive trails that reveal the stories of Montana’s earliest inhabitants. Designated a National Historic Landmark, the caves provide a rare glimpse into prehistoric life and enduring connections to the land.
Then, at Four Dances Recreation Area, we’ll be guided by Lewis Yellowmule (Crow Studies Department, Little Big Horn College) and will experience 765 acres of preserved open space overlooking the Yellowstone River. This special recreation area is rich in native sagebrush grassland, ponderosa pine, and dramatic cliffs, offering opportunities for hiking, wildlife watching, and cultural reflection.
Time: October 21, 12 pm – 4 pm
Transportation will be provided to and from the Northern Hotel.
Spots are limited! Secure your place by registering. Please note: You must be registered for the Summit to join the field trip.
Photo: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Carol M. Highsmith [reproduction number, e.g., LC-USZ62-12345]
Western Heritage Center
About: Join Western Heritage Center Community Historian, Lauren Hunley as she introduces two powerful exhibits she both managed and designed. In her remarks, Hunley will share the story of Separate & Unequal, which examines Montana’s evolving history of disability services—from early institutions in Boulder and Warm Springs to Billings’ groundbreaking efforts in integration and advocacy that predated national disability rights legislation. She will highlight the local voices and advocates who shaped this history, connecting their work to the broader civil and human rights movement.
Hunley will also introduce Empowered heARTs: Work from Artists with Disabilities, an exhibition celebrating the creativity and expression of artists in the Yellowstone River Valley. Featuring the talents of well-known figures like Cliff Potts alongside emerging young artists, the collection highlights the diversity, resilience, and artistry within the disability community. After her talk, visitors are invited to explore both exhibits at their own pace, experiencing the stories and creativity that continue to inspire conversations about inclusion and rights today.
Time: October 21, 2 pm – 4 pm
The Western Heritage Center is a short walk from the Northern Hotel.
Spots are limited! Secure your place by registering. Please note: You must be registered for the Summit to join the field trip.
Photo: Billings TrailNet
Skyline Park/Trail Bike Ride
About: Join us on a 15-mile e-bike ride from our most scenic parks and trails through fascinating historic sites and our newest brewery! This 2-1/2 hour tour of Billings’ multi-use trails and bike lanes includes a 30-minute stop for refreshments (coffee, tea, beer, seltzer, or fountain drinks) followed by an easy and scenic downhill ride to the end of the trail system at Mystic Park.
Experience the history of Billings as you venture to the Yellowstone Kelly Interpretive site, ride through legacy trees born from sacred roots at Skeleton Cliff; Two Moon Park, named after the Northern Cheyenne chief who fought at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and Coulson Park: the site of the former town of Coulson, a riverboat town that predated Billings, which is planned for a robust recreation and interpretive site.
This ride will be led by Billings TrailNet’s executive director, Kristi Drake. E-bikes and helmets will be provided by The Spoke Shop thanks to a generous donation from Visit Billings.
Time: October 21, 1 pm – 4 pm
Transportation is on your own (meeting location will be communicated to registrants).
Spots are limited! Secure your place by registering. Please note: You must be registered for the Summit to join the field trip.
Photo: Yellowstone River Parks Association
John H. Dover Memorial Park
About: John H. Dover Memorial Park is a 630-acre natural area at the eastern entryway to Billings, owned and managed by the non-profit Yellowstone River Parks Association for public recreational access. The park includes 2.5 miles of river frontage, floodplain islands and cottonwood forests, 100-year-old cattle pastures, and a former gravel mine in the final stages of remediation. Management is done mostly by volunteers and involves significant partnerships with both public and private entities.
Join YRPA Executive Director Carolyn Sevier for a full tour of the park, including its natural and cultural history, management challenges and successes, and future plans. Expect 2 – 2.5 miles of walking, including some over uneven terrain. Binoculars are available to borrow, or bring your own. This tour is not accessible for people in wheelchairs or with significant mobility issues.
Time: October 21, 1 pm – 4 pm
Transportation is on your own (carpool is encouraged due to limited parking at the park).
Spots are limited! Secure your place by registering. Please note: You must be registered for the Summit to join the field trip.