Things to Do in Billings in June
June weather, activities, events & insider tips
June Weather in Billings
Is June Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak outdoor recreation season - with daytime highs around 24-27°C (75-80°F) most days, you can actually hike, bike, and explore the rimrocks without melting. The Yellowstone River is running high from mountain snowmelt, making it ideal for float trips and fishing.
- Extended daylight hours give you roughly 15.5 hours of usable daylight by mid-June, meaning you can fit in a morning hike, afternoon brewery tour, and still catch sunset from the Rims around 9:15pm. Locals take full advantage of this - expect to see packed patios until well after dark.
- Festival and event season is in full swing - June brings multiple weekly farmers markets, outdoor concerts at MetraPark, and the Montana Fair wraps up early in the month. You're visiting when the city is actually awake and active, not hunkered down against winter.
- Accommodation availability is decent and prices reasonable - you're between the Memorial Day rush and the peak July-August Yellowstone tourist surge. Book 3-4 weeks out and you'll find good rates at downtown hotels, typically 15-20% lower than high summer.
Considerations
- Weather variability can be genuinely frustrating - Montana's reputation for four seasons in one day is earned, and June delivers on that promise. You might start a morning hike in sunshine and finish in a thunderstorm. The 10 rainy days average means roughly one in three days sees precipitation, though it's usually brief afternoon storms.
- Wildfire smoke season begins in June, and it's gotten worse over the past five years. Depending on wind patterns and fires in Idaho, Washington, or Canada, you might wake up to hazy skies and that distinctive campfire smell. Air quality can swing from excellent to unhealthy within 48 hours - check AirNow.gov daily if you have respiratory sensitivities.
- Peak mosquito and tick season in riparian areas and foothills - the wet spring feeds massive bug populations through June. If you're hiking anywhere near water or in tall grass below 1,500 m (4,900 ft) elevation, you'll want serious bug spray and tick checks. Locals avoid certain trails entirely until mid-July when things dry out.
Best Activities in June
Yellowstone River float trips and fishing access
June is genuinely the sweet spot for the Yellowstone River through Billings. Runoff keeps water levels high enough for smooth floating but usually clears enough by mid-month for decent visibility. The river temperature sits around 13-16°C (55-60°F), which keeps trout active. You'll see plenty of locals putting in at Norm's Island or Voyager's Rest - it's peak season for a reason. The cottonwoods are fully leafed out, ospreys are nesting, and you might spot deer coming down to drink at dawn. Most half-day floats cover 16-24 km (10-15 miles) and take 3-4 hours depending on water speed.
Pictograph Cave State Park and rimrock hiking
The sandstone caves stay surprisingly cool even when it hits 27°C (80°F) outside, and June timing means you're exploring before the real heat sets in. The pictographs themselves are 2,000-plus years old and worth the 800 m (half-mile) interpretive trail. What makes June ideal is the wildflowers - prickly pear cactus blooms yellow across the rimrocks, and you'll catch late lupine if we've had decent spring moisture. The real draw is the rim trails above the caves with views across the valley. Go early morning or after 6pm to avoid the UV index of 8 - there's zero shade on the upper trails.
Craft brewery trail and downtown food scene
Billings has quietly built a legitimate brewery scene over the past decade, and June weather makes patio-hopping actually pleasant. You've got roughly a dozen breweries within a 5 km (3 mile) radius of downtown, most with outdoor seating that's packed on weekends. The local style tends toward IPAs and lighter summer ales in June - brewers know what sells when it's warm. Pair this with the downtown restaurant revival along Broadway and Montana Avenue. June means farmers market season starts, so restaurants are featuring local produce and Montana beef. The food scene punches well above what you'd expect for a city of 110,000.
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument day trip
Located 105 km (65 miles) southeast of Billings, this is where Custer made his last stand in 1876. June is historically significant - the actual battle happened June 25-26, and the park holds an annual commemoration around that date. The prairie grasslands are green in June from spring rains, not the brown you'd see by August. Temperature-wise, you're looking at 24-29°C (75-85°F) during the day, which is manageable for the walking tours. The site itself is stark and moving - white marble markers show where soldiers fell, and the Lakota and Cheyenne perspective is well-represented in the newer interpretive materials. Budget 2-3 hours minimum, longer if you're a history person.
Beartooth Highway scenic drive preparation
Here's the thing - the Beartooth Highway itself, running from Red Lodge to Cooke City, typically doesn't fully open until late May or even early June depending on snowpack. If you're visiting early June 2026, call ahead to confirm it's open - Montana DOT posts updates. Once open, this is legitimately one of North America's most spectacular drives, climbing to 3,337 m (10,947 ft) at Beartooth Pass. You'll drive through alpine tundra with snowfields still visible in June, past dozens of mountain lakes, with views into Wyoming and Yellowstone. The full drive is 109 km (68 miles) and takes 2-3 hours without stops, but you'll want 5-6 hours to actually enjoy it. June weather at elevation means possible snow, definitely cold - pack layers even if Billings is warm.
ZooMontana and family-friendly outdoor activities
If you're traveling with kids or just want something low-key, ZooMontana sits on the west side of town with a focus on Northern Hemisphere animals - grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, otters. It's small compared to major city zoos but well-maintained and the animals are active in June's moderate temperatures. The adjacent Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary rehabilitates injured animals and offers educational programs. June is ideal because you can combine this with Norm's Island river access right next door - pack a picnic, hit the zoo in the morning before it gets warm, then spend the afternoon on the riverbank. The whole area has paved walking paths and is genuinely pleasant when weather cooperates.
June Events & Festivals
Montana Fair
Usually wraps up in early June - this is a proper agricultural fair with rodeo events, carnival rides, livestock shows, and fried food on sticks. If you're visiting the first week of June 2026, check dates because it typically runs late May into early June. Worth attending if you want authentic Montana culture - this isn't tourist-focused, it's where ranch families bring prize cattle and kids show 4-H projects. The rodeo events are legitimate, and the beer garden gets lively in the evenings.
Magic City Blues Festival
Typically held mid-June at Veteran's Park downtown, this brings regional and sometimes national blues acts for a weekend festival. It's grown significantly over the past few years and now draws decent crowds. Free admission with beer and food vendors on site. The park sits right along the Yellowstone River, so you can catch sunset over the water between sets. Locals bring blankets and chairs - it's a casual, family-friendly vibe during the day, more of a party atmosphere by evening.
Saturday Farmers Markets
Multiple farmers markets run throughout June - the main one is downtown at North Park on Saturday mornings from 8am-noon. This isn't just produce - you'll find local honey, Montana-made crafts, food trucks, and live music. The market is genuinely popular with locals, which tells you something about quality. June is early season so you're seeing greens, radishes, early strawberries, and plenty of baked goods. The Wednesday evening market at South Park also runs 5-7pm if you miss Saturday.