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When you have a trail close to you, it’s easy to decide to take a walk after dinner, or any time during the day. Do you have a trail close to you? How do you get your exercise?

Walking, running or riding on one of Billings’ 50 miles of trails is free, and for most, just about the easiest way to get healthy physical activity. Walking on trails is a good way to feel connection with others. Getting together with a friend or family member and making time to walk regularly is good for your mental and physical health. And it’s a good way to make friends: asking someone if they would like to walk with you is a safe, casual way to learn about another person and form a friendship. And it’s a great way to make your pet happy and healthy, too! (Having a dog is one of the best ways to encourage people to get exercise every day.)

For most people, having a trail close by is important. For instance, you may be much less likely to be active every day if you have to drive to a place to get out and walk. When a trail is right around the corner, it beckons you to get outside! Billings TrailNet has been a partner with the City of Billings for more than 20 years to bring trails to your back (or front) door. A map of all trails is on our website, or you can pick one up at the Adult Resource Alliance or Billings Chamber of Commerce.

There are a few exciting new trails which have not yet been built, but are just on the horizon. One is the Skyline Trail, which will take people across our beautiful rims and overlook the city below. You will be able to get to the Skyline Trail by driving up to Highway 3, where the trail will connect with Swords Park, Zimmerman Park, or three parking lots which will also be developed along with the Skyline Trail. The trail is expected to be complete by summer 2024, if not sooner.

The Inner Belt Loop will also be built soon. This road and the trail alongside it will connect Alkali Creek Road to Highway 3. The road may be complete by summer 2024. Other trails and bikeways planned for summer 2023 are a trail down Mullowney Lane, between Midland Road and Elysian Road, and new trails through Riverfront Park. New bike lanes will be striped on Hilltop Road in the Heights and on Rheberg Lane between Rimrock Road and Grand Avenue.

If you are curious about new connections planned by the City of Billings, you can sign up for Billings TrailNet’s e-newsletter by going to Billingstrailnet.org, where we share information about trails, new connections and events related to trails in our city.

Get outside and take a walk on one of these beautiful trails You will be glad you did!