Major city · United States
Forsyth
Give Forsyth one night as an I-94 break between Billings and Miles City: courthouse, Main Street murals, river walk. No taxi, so arrive by car.
Forsyth is a small Yellowstone River town of about 1,600 people on I-94 in southeast Montana, roughly an hour east of Billings. It is a leg-stretch stop, not a destination: a 1913 courthouse, a compact pre-1930 downtown with street murals, a free county museum and river access for agate hunting. With no taxi and no passenger train, a car is the only practical way in and around.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, icy roads); late Jul fair weekend if you want quiet
- Airports
- BIL · MLS
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Forsyth911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Forsyth, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA quiet town; the real risks are the drive (ice, deer, long empty stretches on I-94) and summer heat on exposed river ground.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 511 Montana Road Report (MDT)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBIL Billings Logan International (Nearest large airport, about 1 h 15 min west by I-94; rental cars at the terminal).
- Getting aroundDrive.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–16
- BeerDraft beer in a local bar$5–8
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$130
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$140 · High US$240
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BIL Billings Logan International (Nearest large airport, about 1 h 15 min west by I-94; rental cars at the terminal) · MLS Miles City Airport (Small field about 45 min east; limited flights, check schedules)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Care*
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: May–Jun, Aug–Sep. Mixed: Jul. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Forsyth: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
6 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
6 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
7 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Drive. There is no taxi service in Forsyth and no passenger train. The railroad splits the town: about a third sits on the interstate side, and only three crossings link the halves — US-12, 10th Ave near the Town Pump, and Slaughterhouse Rd off the east I-94 exit. Downtown is walkable once parked.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45 min
I-94 east, about 45 min
Bigger town with a historic Main Street and the Range Riders Museum; an easy half day.
Door to door: About 1 h
US-12 and local roads south, about 1 h
A company town with little for visitors beyond the drive; go only if curious.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
I-94 west, about 1 h 15 min
Montana's largest city: museums, zoo, airport and the best food and lodging in the region.
Crow Agency and Little Bighorn Battlefield
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
I-94 west to US-212 south, about 2 h
A full day with the battlefield visitor centre; better as a stop on the Billings leg.
Glendive
goDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
I-94 east, about 1 h 45 min
Makoshika State Park badlands; pair it with a night rather than a return drive.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Front Street motels
Rails Inn and Sundowner Inn sit on the I-94 side of the tracks; easiest with a car and bags.
Main Street / downtown
Howdy Hotel, a historic property with a 24-hour restaurant; walk to murals, museum and bars.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–180 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$140 | US$280 |
| Rental car, one day, midsize1 × US$80 · check | US$80 |
| Fuel, Billings to Forsyth and back1 × US$25 · check | US$25 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$54 |
| Trip total≈ US$295 per person per day, bed included | US$589 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Diner breakfast | $10–16 |
| Burger and fries | $14–20 |
| Draft beer in a local bar | $5–8 |
| Motel room, summer weekendRates rise on fair weekend and during hunting season. | $90–180 |
| Gallon of gascheck | $3–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No taxi and no rideshare to count on: plan every errand by car.
- Railroad crossings are limited to three streets; a wrong turn adds a loop.
- Winter brings ice and blowing snow on I-94; check road conditions before driving.
- Cell coverage is fine in town but patchy on river-bottom roads.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Montana Road Report (MDT)
- 511
Pocket card
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ForsythForsyth
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Montana Road Report511
Embassy
No consulates in Forsyth; nearest consular offices are in Denver or Seattle, and embassies are in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fuel, Billings → Forsyth, one way: about $12–15 for a midsize car (check)
- Rental car, one day: $55–130 depending on class and season (check)
Say or show
- Where is the interstate? — Where is the interstate?
- Is there a gas station open? — Is there a gas station open?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
Print this card; cell signal is fine in town but thin on river roads.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Forsyth. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, icy roads); late Jul fair weekend if you want quiet · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BIL: last rental-car desk hours, drive time to Forsyth, motel check-in cutoff.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: Main Street downtown, courthouse and museum block, Front Street motels, Rosebud East river access.
- Place pages with verified hours (courthouse, Pioneer Museum, Rosebud East) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and fair-weekend fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Forsyth
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