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BILLINGS — Though Yellowstone County spans more than 1.6 million acres, and 95% is classified as farmland, much of that reality remains hidden beneath the spread of Billings’ buildings and neighborhoods.

Watch the highlights of ag tour in the video below:

“We’re fortunate to live in Montana, where you go a couple minutes outside of any of the towns, especially a major city like Billings, and all of a sudden you’re immersed in agriculture,” said Alex Schimke, chairman of the Billings Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee.

On Thursday, Schimke helped lead the Chamber’s annual agricultural tour — a sold-out, daylong journey with 65 participants that took attendees beyond the city limits and into the state’s rural heart. The event combined professional networking with something more rare: a firsthand look at the operations that keep Montana fed.

“There’s some folks that know and breathe agriculture, and then there’s some folks that don’t know the nose from the tail of a cow,” said Schimke.

For many on the tour, that gap in knowledge narrowed during a visit to Carbon County Meats (among other local ag contributors), a local processor that has been USDA inspected for the past year and a half — a notable milestone for the operation.

“I know everybody knows there’s a lot of rules when it comes to (USDA meat regulations), but the depth of it is pretty surprising to most people,” said Shane Giovetti, who runs the facility.

Despite the harsh realities of meat processing, Giovetti believes the tour is essential in building trust and awareness.

“The more education we can get out there, the better–and especially on locally produced goods,” said Giovetti.

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BILLINGS, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today joined local officials, business leaders, and young athletes to break ground on the new Signal Peak Energy Ice Arena in Billings.

“This project is a win for Billings and for Montana kids,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Thanks to strong community partners and Signal Peak Energy, we’re investing in a stronger future for the community and for young athletes looking to grow, compete, and have fun.”

The Signal Peak Energy Ice Arena will be constructed at Amend Park and will feature two, full-sized sheets of ice, indoor sports courts, outdoor basketball courts, locker rooms, and seating for spectators. The investment is largely supported by Signal Peak Energy and several local businesses and families and is expected to open by late 2026.

“The Signal Peak Energy Ice Arena is the first public-private partnership on the Amend Recreation campus. It shows the power of our community when they invest in what they believe in. It’s a project that will not only deliver a state-of-the-art facility to Billings, but it will also drive long-term economic success and create opportunities for athletes of all ages,” said Parker Phipps, President and CEO of Signal Peak Energy.

Currently, the sole ice rink in Billings, the Centennial Ice Arena, operates at capacity and is unable to accommodate the region’s growing interest in hockey and winter sports. The new arena will increase access for youth and adult athletes and create space for regional events and tournaments.

The arena will serve as a multi-use facility, offering hockey, figure skating, curling, and recreational skating opportunities for the Billings community and for those participating in regional tournaments held at the facility.

According to the Billings Chamber of Commerce CEO John Brewer, tourism and regional competitions held at the facility will drive over $121 million in economic output over the next 30 years.

“The Signal Peak Energy Ice Arena is going to be a place for all of us, and it will be a huge boost to the sports economy. This state-of-the-art venue will allow Billings to host large scale hockey tournaments, figure skating competitions, and recreational ice events year-round. It’s projected to generate over 10,000 hotel room nights every year and over $121 million in total economic output over the next 30 years,” Brewer said.

Breaking ground on the construction site for the facility, Gov. Gianforte joined community partners to celebrate the investment.

“Thank you to Signal Peak Energy and all local partners who invested in this project. Your commitment exemplifies the importance of public-private partnerships in making a difference in our Montana communities,” the governor concluded.

There’s no shortage of well-known mountain towns in the U.S. Destinations like Leavenworth, Washington, and Teton Village, Wyoming, have drawn visitors year after year for their beauty and festive attractions. But in 2025, one underrated town is climbing to the top of the list.

Billings, Montana, located at the base of the Rimrock Mountains and bordered by the Yellowstone River, has quietly gained popularity as one of the top ten U.S. cities people want to move to.

Now, with its breathtaking scenery, abundance of outdoor activities, and bustling downtown, Billings is set to become one of the most popular summer travel destinations in the continental United States.

Billings, Montana, Is Number Two On Google's Trending Domestic Destinations List

Each year, Google Flights releases a list of trending destinations based on search trends. In 2025, Billings, Montana, claimed the number two spot in the domestic travel category. The results are surprising, especially since this time last year, vacation favorites like New York, Las Vegas, and Miami dominated the list.

The increase in Google Flights searches for Billings could be due in part to the recent addition of seasonal summer flights serviced by United Airlines. These flights offer direct service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Denver, Colorado.

This year, travelers are also shifting their priorities when choosing a summer vacation destination. According to Google Flights, Americans are leaning into places with proximity to scenic beauty. Additionally, travelers are searching for alternative types of lodging, such as cabins and dude ranches, both of which can be found in Billings.

What Makes Billings, Montana, Different From Other Mountain Towns?

Many popular mountain towns, such as Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Aspen, Colorado, have heavily leaned into tourism over the years. However, Billings breaks that mold by offering a more down-to-earth experience.

Even though it welcomes over 2.6 million visitors each year, Billings still moves at a slower, more relaxed pace. This allows travelers to blend in with locals and have an authentic Montana experience.

Billings, home to one of Montana's most overlooked state parks, is also easy to access and navigate compared to other, more remote mountain towns. It's a large city with over 120,000 residents that just happens to be surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States.

What Is There To Do In Billings, Montana?

Whether you're visiting for a weekend or planning a more extended summer stay, Billings offers a mix of exciting outdoor activities, a delicious local dining scene, and community events for the whole family.

Billings is surrounded by natural beauty that is both accessible and free from large crowds. Many of the area's parks and hiking trails are just minutes from downtown.

Nearby activities include:

Additionally, although Billings is not the closest city to Yellowstone National Park, it's still only a car ride away.

Billings also has a food scene worth exploring. From casual comfort food to upscale dining, there is a wide range of cuisines to choose from.

Popular options include:

From June through early fall, Billings hosts several family-friendly events that give visitors a fun way to experience local culture. Many of these festivals take place downtown and feature live music, art vendors, and food trucks.

Notable festivals include:

From adventurous outdoor adventures to family-friendly summer festivals, it's easy to see why Billings, Montana, is on track to become the most popular summer destination this year.

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Billings family escapes house fire that spread from camper trailer

BILLINGS - A Billings family and their pets escaped safely after a fire spread from a camper trailer to their home Thursday night.

The fire started at a property on Cactus Drive, off of Rimrock Road near 13th Street, according to Billings fire crews.

Firefighters reported that the blaze originated in a camper before moving to other structures, damaging the family's home, garage and a vehicle.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Six years later: Advocates demand action in death of Kaysera Stops Pretty Places

HARDIN - Six years after the death of Kaysera Stops Pretty Places, her family and friends say they are still fighting for justice.

Stops Pretty Places disappeared in August 2019 and was found dead weeks later in a Hardin backyard.

One man was charged in connection with two people who were with Stops Pretty Places when she disappeared, but advocates say they are frustrated no further progress has been made in her case.

Stops Pretty Places' death was ultimately ruled as suspicious.

'Show must go on:' Lockwood choir students rallying behind sick teacher

LOCKWOOD - The Lockwood High School choir is rallying behind their teacher as he fights his second battle with cancer.

Teacher Quentin "Q" Staton hasn't been in the classroom since learning that he was re-diagnosed with head, neck and throat cancer.

A GoFundMe page has raised more than $11,000 to support Staton.

He hopes to return to class next school year.

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