Major city · United States
HardinHardin, Montana
Give Hardin one night as a base for Little Bighorn Battlefield, 20 min south; skip it if the battlefield is not on your list.
Hardin is a small southeast Montana town on I-90, about 45 min east of Billings, and the closest practical base for Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and the Crow Reservation. There is little to do in town itself: one museum, a river day-use park and a handful of motels. Most travellers sleep here one night, see the battlefield at opening, and drive on toward Yellowstone or the Black Hills.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, ice, some closures)
- 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.
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 Hardin911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
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 Hardin, 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
- SafetyHardin is a small rural town and generally safe for visitors; the real risks are long driving distances…
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
- 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 commercial airport, about 45 min west by I-90; rental cars at the airport.).
- Getting aroundA car is effectively required.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeUS$2–5
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfastUS$10–18
- Beerdraught in a barUS$5–8
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryUS$5–12 (check)
- Budget bedCampground or RV site, a night, per roomUS$40
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$190
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$150 · High US$260
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 commercial airport, about 45 min west by I-90; rental cars at the airport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°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
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°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
Hardin: 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
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
6 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
6 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°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)
9 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°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
A car is effectively required. The battlefield is about 20 min south on I-90 and MT-47; there is no useful public transport to it. Fuel up in Hardin before heading out, since services south toward Crow Agency and the battlefield are limited.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
goDoor to door: About 25–30 min
Drive I-90 south to Crow Agency, then the monument entrance
Go at opening; the driving tour and the battlefield walk take 2–3 h.
Crow Agency and the Crow Reservation
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive I-90 south, about 15 min
Services, the Apsáalooke history and the gateway to the battlefield.
Door to door: About 45–55 min
Drive I-90 west
Biggest city in the region: airport, hospitals, more food and beds.
Door to door: About 2 h 30 min
Drive I-94 east via MT-47
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep there if you are heading east.
Glendive
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h
Drive I-94 east
Makoshika badlands; a stop on the way east, not a day trip.
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.
I-90 exit 495 strip (N Center Ave / Hwy 47)
Motels, fuel and food within a few minutes of the interstate; best for one night with a car.
Downtown Hardin (N Center Ave)
Small cluster of shops, a bistro and a motel; walkable, but you still need a car for the battlefield.
Hardin KOA Journey, Hwy 47 north
Campground and RV sites north of town; book ahead in summer.
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
- US$90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$140–220 excl. bed
- High
- US$220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 · check | US$70 |
| Fuel, about 150 km of driving1 × US$18 · check | US$18 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$55 |
| Trip total≈ US$302 per person per day, bed included | US$603 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Flights and rental car excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | US$2–5 |
| Diner breakfast | US$10–18 |
| Burger or sandwich plate | US$12–22 |
| Beer, draught in a bar | US$5–8 |
| Gallon of fuel | US$3–4 (check) |
| Museum entry | US$5–12 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances are long: Billings is about 45 min west, the battlefield about 20 min south, Yellowstone hours away.
- Summer afternoons reach the mid-30s °C with little shade at the battlefield; carry water.
- Winter brings ice, wind and occasional road closures on I-90.
- Cell coverage is patchy on the back roads off the interstate.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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HardinHardin, Montana
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Hardin; consulates and embassies are in Denver, Seattle or Washington, DC. Check your country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Billings airport → Hardin, rental car: about 45 min by I-90 (check)
- Hardin → Little Bighorn Battlefield: about 20 min by car (check)
- Fuel fill-up, small car: US$35–50 (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the Little Bighorn Battlefield entrance? — Where is the battlefield entrance?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there a gas station nearby? — Is there fuel nearby?
Rural Montana: carry water, fuel up early and do not rely on phone signal off the interstate.
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 Hardin. 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, ice, some closures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 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: rental-car desk hours, last sensible departure, overnight rung in Hardin.
- Walking cluster in downtown Hardin with rescue anchors (museum, general store, bistro).
- Battlefield page with verified opening hours, entrance fee and the driving-tour cutoff.
- Summer heat and winter-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialHardin, Montana — official town site
- officialBig Horn County Historical Museum
- officialMontana FWP — Arapooish Recreation Park
- officialHardin KOA Journey
- officialHomestead Inn and Suites
- officialLariat Motel
- secondaryWikivoyage: Hardin, revision 5326358 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Hardin
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