Article by Stephanie Hobby    |    Photos by Jamie Blotske

When summer’s temps start spiking, finding your chill in and around Billings has never been easier. Whether a day at the pool is high on your list of priorities, or your jam is something more adventurous, the Magic City has something to help every age and energy level beat the heat.

SAFE STARTS: SWIM LESSONS & SPRAY GROUNDS

A safe summer starts with swim lessons. The City of Billings Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide range of swim programs, along with many area pools and colleges that run aquatics courses throughout the season.

For younger families, the city operates five spray grounds and two wading pools, perfect for pint-sized swimmers. Splash pads are open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the following parks:

• South Park
• Castle Rock Park
• Highland Park
• Terry Park
• North Park

For families on the West End, Faith Evangelical Park offers a refreshing splash pad perfect for cooling off on warm days.

Wading pools at Pioneer Park and Hawthorne Park are open daily from noon to 6 p.m., providing a shaded, supervised space for cooling off.

DIVE IN: POOLS, PASSES & SUMMER FUN

For more aquatic fun, the city’s two main pools at Rose Park and South Park are open for the season. Season passes for families or individuals, as well as reduced-rate passes and scholarships, are available at the Parks and Rec office, open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Waterslide wristbands add to the fun, and this year, Rose Park is introducing new interactive spray features in the kiddie pool. Pools are also available to rent for birthday parties, team celebrations, and other special events.

“Our pools provide a great place for families to enjoy recreational swimming in a safe environment that is supervised and monitored by certified lifeguards,” said Kory Thomson, Recreation Superintendent with Billings Parks and Recreation. “I think it’s just a great social gathering place for families to visit on weekends or after work in the evenings during the week. It’s a fun environment, and it’s our goal to make sure that the facility is clean, presentable, and safe. We hope they enjoy their time with us and come back many times throughout the summer.”

When the season wraps up, a fun tradition for your four- legged friends continues this year. The Dog Days of Summer are scheduled for August 31, so pools will close to humans before that.

“As a wrap-up to the swim season, we let the dogs take the last plunge,” Thomson said.

To stay informed about events and pool updates, download the new Billings Parks and Rec app, available at billingsparks.org or on Apple and Android app stores.

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS: PADDLE INTO NATURE

If you’re looking for something a little wilder, The Base Camp is your one- stop shop for exploring Montana’s waters. Known for their knowledgeable and approachable sta!, they can help guide you toward the perfect experience, whether on a quiet lake or a more challenging, white-water experience.

Connor Bos, a Sales Associate at The Base Camp, grew up on the water and knows a thing or two about adventure.

“We’re more than happy to talk with anybody about any of their trip plans, especially if it’s something you’re just looking to get into,” Bos said. “That’s probably a lot of people who are renting because they don't want to pay the full price of a brand-new stand-up paddle board. They want to come in and test it out, and get an idea of what to do, how it works, and whether they’re going to enjoy it or not.”

He recommends Lake Elmo for beginners, Beartooth Mountain lakes for stunning scenery, and the Yellowstone River for experienced paddlers. Just be sure to check water levels and conditions. Other popular spots include Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area and Cooney Reservoir State Park.

To help make summer adventures more a!ordable, The Base Camp o!ers a rental rebate; up to two days of rental fees can be applied toward the purchase of new gear.

Traveling to other parts of the state? Their Helena location offers the same rental services and expertise for trips to northwest Montana.

Five Ways to Cool Off Now

1. SPLASH PADS

Perfect for little ones! Free and open daily:

Faith Evangelical Park, 3166 Central Ave

South Park, South Broadway & 6th Ave S

Castle Rock Park, W Wicks Ln & Nutter Blvd

Highland Park, 2nd Ave S & S 37th St

Terry Park, 5th St W & Terry Ave

North Park, 6th Ave N & N 19th St

Billie Riddle Splash Park, 601 1st Ave, Laurel

2. WATER PARKS, POOLS, AND WADING POOLS

Take a dip at these local favorites:

Rose Park, 1600 21st St W

South Park, South Broadway & 6th Ave S

The Reef, 1801 Majestic Ln

Billings Oasis Waterpark, 543 Aronson Ave

Pioneer Park, 301 Parkhill Dr

Hawthorne Park, 1752 Columbine Dr

3. ICE CREAM STOPS

Beat the heat with a sweet treat:

Softies, 2407 Broadwater Ave

Spinners, 3031 Grand Ave

Big Dipper, 100 N Broadway

4. LAKES AND RESERVOIRS

Great for swimming, paddling, and relaxing:

Lake Elmo State Park, 219 Rolling Hills Dr

Cooney Reservoir State Park, Fox, MT

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Fort Smith, MT

Deadman’s Basin Reservoir, Hwy 3 near Shawmut, MT

Yellowstone, Bighorn, and Stillwater Rivers

5. BOAT & SUP RENTALS

No gear? No problem. Rent from:

Big Sky Boats Service and Repair (bigskyboatsmt.com)

The Base Camp (thebasecamp.com)

Let summer heat spark cool memories, not complaints.

Whether you're slipping down a waterslide, relaxing in the shade of a splash pad, or paddling into the sunset, the Magic City has everything you need to make the most of the season.

Originally printed in the June 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

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