Laurel, Montana travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Laurel is a town in southern Montana. About 7,200 people lived there in 2020. Though some refer to it as a suburb of Billings, the town is a uniquely different place.

1 sights · 4 things to do · 4 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Laurel

Riverside Park

A park along the southern banks of the Yellowstone River. Camping sites are available. Horseshoe pits are in the park.

Palace Bar & Lanes

Bowling Alley, bar & grill.

South Side Pond

Fishing access and picnic areas.

Rock the Block

Live music, food and drinks.

4th of July

Biggest parade and one of the largest fireworks displays in Montana.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 14°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Bozeman)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
BIL Billings Logan International Airport, Billings — 14 mi away. Directions
COD Yellowstone Regional Airport, Cody — 81 mi away. Directions

Most travellers use nearby Billings Logan International Airport (BIL).

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Riverside Park, Palace Bar & Lanes, South Side Pond
Lunch Carlton Depot
Afternoon Rock the Block, 4th of July
Dinner The Pelican Cafe
Evening Caboose Saloon

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Understand

Laurel is home to a Cenex Harvest States oil refinery as well as one of Montana's major freight rail yards. The railroad formed Laurel and remains a part of the town's fabric.

While the number of businesses started increasing with the addition of a Walmart Supercenter, many of the residents still commute to Billings.

Place Laurel Montana Chamber of Commerce

108 E Main☎ +1 406 628-8105

Maps Website

Get in

By air

Most travellers use nearby Billings Logan International Airport (BIL).

Go Laurel Municipal Airport

Strictly for private aviation use, no commercial flights land at the airport.

Maps

By car

Interstate 90 (I-90) connects Laurel to Billings heading east, and with Bozeman, Butte, Missoula and Idaho heading west.

U.S. Highway 212 (US-212) connects Laurel to Red Lodge from the south, which ultimately leads to Beartooth Pass.

Get around

Laurel has a couple of options for rides into Billings, but these are limited. There is no taxi service.

It is possible to bike to most locations in good weather. A car usually is the best option.

See

See Riverside Park

A park along the southern banks of the Yellowstone River. Camping sites are available. Horseshoe pits are in the park.

📍 1425 US 212Checked Mar 2023

Maps Website

Do

Do Palace Bar & Lanes

Bowling Alley, bar & grill.

📍 305 E Main St☎ +1 406 628-8788Checked Mar 2023

Maps Website

Do South Side Pond

Fishing access and picnic areas.

🕒 Daylight💲 Free

Maps

Events

High school sports are a major event. Go Locomotives! A large outdoor arena is used for regional competitions. The stadium lights are the tallest structure in town.