Head up the West Fork of Rock Creek for hiking and fishing.
The often-crowded Wild Bill Lake, six miles from Red Lodge [1] on West Fork Road, is wheelchair-accessible for fishing. Toward the end of the road, trailheads sprout up.
Just out of Basin Campground, the Basin Lakes National Recreation Trail is an easy day hike leading to two lakes (with some brook trout) and a few tumbledown prospectors’ cabins.
At the road’s end, the West Fork Trail puts you at the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness [2] boundary, a one-mile hike from a waterfall, five miles from a mountain lake, and 10 miles from Sundance Pass.
Many of the area’s Forest Service campgrounds are near hiking trails. The Corral Creek Trail starts near Sheridan Campground, and Parkside Campground is on the high winding road to the trailhead for the Hellroaring Lakes Trail, which leads to a lovely chain of mountain lakes.
Golf at beautiful and challenging Red Lodge Resort and Golf Club (406/446-1812), southwest of town on Red Lodge Mountain Road.
Swim at the 25-yard-long mile-high city pool (14th and Hauser, daily June–Aug.).
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/montana/the-missouri-headwaters-and-south-central-montana/absaroka-beartooth-wilderness/red-lodge
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/montana/the-missouri-headwaters-and-south-central-montana/absaroka-beartooth-wilderness