Major city · United States
Colstrip
Skip Colstrip unless you are passing on MT-39 or here for Colstrip Days (last weekend in June): one night, own car required, no buses or taxis.
Colstrip is a small Rosebud County town of about 2,300 people, built in 1924 as a Northern Pacific Railway company town and still defined by the coal mine and power plants south of it. There is no bus or train service and no taxi, so a car is the whole plan. Most travellers see it as a fuel-and-bed stop between Billings and Miles City, or time a visit to Colstrip Days in late June.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow, ice on MT-39)
- Airport
- BIL
- 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.
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 Colstrip911 ▾
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 Colstrip, 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
- SafetyLow street crime, real road risk: long empty drives, winter ice, and no cell signal in places.
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 (About 120 mi (2 h) by car; the nearest commercial airport.).
- Getting aroundDrive.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–16
- BeerDraught beer in a bar$5–8
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$190
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$130 · High US$220
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 (About 120 mi (2 h) by car; the nearest commercial airport.)
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
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°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–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Colstrip: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
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)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
6 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
6 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
7 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°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
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°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)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°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. MT-39 runs through town and meets I-94 about 29 mi north. There is no taxi and no local bus; fuel up in town before heading out, because the next services are a long way off.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Miles City
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
US-94 east, about 90 mi
Range Riders Museum and a proper main street; an easy half-day.
Forsyth
goDoor to door: About 1 h
MT-39 north to I-94, then east, about 60 mi
Yellowstone River town and Rosebud County seat.
Hardin
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
MT-39 north, then I-94 west and US-87 south, about 85 mi
Gateway to Little Bighorn Battlefield; pair with Crow Agency.
Crow Agency
goDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
MT-39 north, then I-94 west and US-212 south, about 95 mi
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument; go early in summer.
Door to door: About 2 h
MT-39 north to I-94, then west, about 120 mi
Biggest city in the region: airport, hospitals, big-box shopping.
Glendive
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
I-94 east, about 130 mi
Makoshika badlands are worth it, but it is a long return day.
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.
Town centre (Willow Ave, Main St, Cherry St)
The inns and most food sit within a few blocks; walkable once you park.
Castle Rock Lake area
Quieter, near the lake and the disc golf course; still needs a car for everything.
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
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or inn double room1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$80 | US$80 |
| Fuel, Billings return (about 240 mi)1 × US$35 | US$35 |
| 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 | $2–4 |
| Diner breakfast | $10–16 |
| Burger and fries | $12–18 |
| Draught beer in a bar | $5–8 |
| Gallon of fuel | $3–4 (check) |
| Motel double room, summer weekend | $90–190 |
| 9-hole green fee, Ponderosa Butte | $25–45 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No taxi, no bus, no train: without a car you are stuck.
- Cell coverage and fuel gaps on MT-39 and the back roads; carry water.
- Winter storms close or ice MT-39 with little warning.
- Bar scenes in and around town can be rough: keep it low-key and know your exit.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Montana Road Report (MDT)
- 511
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ColstripColstrip
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Montana Road Report511
Embassy
No consulates in Colstrip; nearest consular offices are in Denver or Seattle (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Billings airport → Colstrip, rental car: about 120 mi, 2 h, fuel about $20–25 one way (check)
- Colstrip → Miles City: about 90 mi, 1 h 30 min
- Colstrip → Forsyth: about 60 mi, 1 h
Say or show
- Where's the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station?
- Is there a taxi in town? — Is there a taxi in town?
- How far to the interstate? — How far to the interstate?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is the road open? — Is the road open?
Print this card: no taxi, no bus, and long gaps between services.
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 Colstrip. 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, snow, ice on MT-39) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 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 flight arrivals, rental desks, and the drive time to Colstrip.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Willow Ave, Main St, Cherry St, Castle Rock Lake.
- Place pages with verified hours (Schoolhouse History and Art Center, Castle Rock Lake, Ponderosa Butte Golf Course) and eat pages with last orders.
- Colstrip Days fixture: dates, parade and tour times, and a lodging sell-out warning.