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Legends of the American West: Little Big Horn Battlefield and Pompey's Pillar
Tour the historic Little Big Horn Battlefield in Crow Agency, MT. This area memorializes the US Army's Seventh Cavalry, Crow and Arikara scouts as well as the Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes in one of the American Indians’ last armed efforts to preserve their way of life.
Visit June 25th and 26th to commemorate where 263 soldiers including Lt. Col. George A. Custer and attached personnel of the US Army, died fighting several thousand Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors in 1876.
After touring the battlefield visitors can enjoy an early lunch at the Custer Battlefield Trading Post and Café where delicious Indian tacos are on the menu. Following lunch, guests will take a scenic ride to Pompey’s Pillar. This national monument is a premier location at a natural ford in the Yellowstone River, and it has geologic distinction as the only major sandstone formation in the area. This makes Pompey’s Pillar a celebrated landmark and outstanding observation point for more than 11,000 years of human occupation. Hundreds of markings, petroglyphs and inscriptions left by visitors, including William Clark and the Lewis and Clark Expedition, have transformed this geologic phenomenon into a living journal of the American West.
Visit Pompey's Pillar and Little Big Horn Battlefield: September 25, 7:30 am - 2:30 pmLimited to 53 people
https://www.blm.gov/visit/pompeys-pillar-national-monument
CURRENTLY SOLD OUT: Experience the Rocky Mountains: Beartooth Mountain Pass and Red Lodge, MT
Take a breathtaking journey through southern Montana while listening to local history as you are guided by the local chamber director from Red Lodge, MT. Ride on the scenic roadway through Beartooth Mountain Pass to the Vista Point, traveling all the way to the Wyoming state line and then dropping back to Red Lodge for lunch. This spectacular road is only open from late May to mid-October, (depending on snow fall).
Red Lodge has been described as “an experience in true western hospitality in this quaint, historic, mountain town. Nestled against the Beartooth Mountains, Montana’s highest mountain peaks, Red Lodge is a place of extraordinary beauty.”
After lunch explore downtown, walk through the museum and art depot, or visit the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary*.
*ESP understands that not all tour participants wish to visit The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. Therefore, it is NOT included in your tour fee. If you wish to visit the sanctuary, you will need to purchase a ticket online or at the sanctuary entrance for $12.00.Visit the town of Red Lodge, Drive Beartooth Mountain Pass: September 25, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
$85.00 Includes transportation and lunch
Limited to 53 people
https://www.redlodge.com/https://yellowstonewildlifesanctuary.org/visit/
Big Sky Fly Fishing on the Yellowstone River
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Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at a once-in-lifetime price! The fly-fishing tour will take place along the banks of the Yellowstone River near Columbus, MT – a short 45-min drive from Billings. The morning will include introductions to river ecology, entomology and the basics of fly fishing. The fishing guide instructions will cover equipment, tackle, knot tying, and casting instruction. Following lunch, participants who have purchased a Montana fishing license will have the opportunity to wade-fish the Yellowstone for various species of trout. This is a catch-and-release experience.
In order to fish, participants will need to provide proof of license to the fishing outfitter. Those participants who choose not to purchase a license can enjoy birdwatching, rockhounding, or simply a enjoy a book.
This tour will be led by Greater Yellowstone Flyfishing Outfitters’ professionally licensed guides.*Shared rod - Rod will be provided and will be shared between yourself and another guest.
Fishing license and associated fees are not included in your tour fee. A one-day nonresident license with required endorsements is currently $31.50 can be purchased online at https://ols.fwp.mt.gov/.
When purchasing a license you must include:
- Conservation license (required) $10
- AISPP (required) $7.50
- One-day Non-resident fishing $14 (there are other options if you wish to fish more before or after conference)
- Total $31.50
Guided Fly Fishing on the Yellowstone River: September 25, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
$250.00 Includes transportation, lunch, guided instruction, shared rod rental*, equipment, and gratuity.
Limited to 24 people
CANCELLED: Treasures of Yellowstone County: Beef, Barley, and BBQ
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Experience firsthand Montana's largest and number one industry – agriculture. Yellowstone County is home to both beef and crop production systems. During this tour, visit a unique company that services bull breeders around the United States through genetic collection and marketing. Make a stop at the Southern Agriculture Research Station where Montana State University researchers are collecting valuable information to enhance their cropping systems. Finally, tour Molson Coors to see the beginnings of the beer-creation process. Beer making starts with malted barley which is a popular crop grown in Yellowstone County. Enjoy some delicious BBQ for lunch at the Yellowstone Valley Electric Co-op and learn more about its ties to the local agriculture community.
Yellowstone County Agriculture Tour: September 25, 7:30 am - 3:30 pm
$75.00 Includes transportation and lunch
Limited to 30 People
A Taste of Montana: Orchard, Brewery, Distillery and Cider House Tour
From beer to cider, Billings has a drink to offer anyone. Your tour will begin at the Montana family-owned Ross Orchard that supplies apples to Montana Breweries and Cider houses. The story of Ross Orchards began in 1907 when John's grandfather (attorney William E. Ross) planted his first apple trees in Clark's Fork Valley. William created a logo for his orchard consisting of a basket of fresh apples proclaiming this area the "Fruit Basket of Montana," a logo that Ross Orchards uses today. The mill produces about 50,000 gallons each fall, with local demand continually increasing in correlation with a nationwide trend in cider beverage consumption. The orchard and the cidery work together to provide an assortment of ciders focused on giving Montanans authentic apple ciders unencumbered with unnecessary added ingredients often found in popular, nationwide cider beverages.Return to Billings and enjoy lunch Downtown. Make sure to wear your walking shoes for the mile and a half walking brewery tour. With around 85 breweries in Montana, you could easily drink your way around the state. But Billings has the only WALKABLE Brew Trail. It includes 6 breweries, 2 distilleries, and a cider house. You will get two tastings and have the option to add more on your tour!
Orchard, Brewery, Distillery and Cider House Tour: September 25, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
$85.00 Includes transportation, lunch, and two tastings
Limited to 30 people
Take a Walk on the Wildside: ZooMontana, Vineyards, and Berry Farm
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Join MSU Extension Horticulture staff on a tour showcasing high value horticultural crops in the Billings area. The tour will introduce you to a unique variety of cold hardy grapes while touring the F Bar 3 Vineyard. Visit with berry growers at Township Road Farm for discussion on the emerging berry industry in Montana. Other stops will highlight growing vegetable crops for direct marketing opportunities, and an introduction to regionally adapted plants for backyard and garden sites. ZooMontana is a zoological/botanical garden, accredited arboretum and educational facility. They are dedicated to the conservation of wildlife throughout Montana and the 45th parallel of earth. ZooMontana cares for over 80 animals of 56 different species, including Amur Tigers, Grizzly Bear, Wolverine, River Otters, Takin, and Canada Lynx, among others, most of which are rescues.
Visit F Bar 3 Vineyard, ZooMontana, and Township Road Farm: September 25, 7:30 am - 3:00 pm
Horticulture Tour
$75.00 Includes transportation, lunch, and ZooMontana Entry Fee
Limited to 30
Life Member Tour Options
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26 – 1:30 – 3:30 pm $15.00 includes transportation
Option #1 – Western Wear and Gear Tour: Three shops will be included on this tour in Downtown Billings. Buckaroo Business is Montana’s premier cowboy shop and carries the very best buckaroo gear for horsemen and women who love the old traditions. They make their own bits, spurs, etc. Swanke Saddlery is next door and here you can see how they make their own saddles and saddle trees. They also make custom-made chaps and chinks, and you will find scarves and silver hardware. Across the street you will find Rand’s Custom Hats where “the Romance of the West” lives. The same painstaking hand-crafted labor that was used by hat makers 150 years ago is still used today by Rand’s in creating custom made hats. You will be able to view this process. They also carry a complete line of accessories and silver hardware.
Option #2 – Four Winds Quilting: Four Winds’ Quilting is a retail and internet store selling locally and world-wide, and specializes in designer quilting fabrics. Sample quilts adorn the walls. There is also a selection of wool handwork patterns and supplies. Nancy, the owner, will be presenting demonstrations using booklets of foundation papers of different sizes you would use in creating items from your scraps of fabric. You can use these foundation papers to create gifts that are fast, fun, and don’t take hours to make. These will include Flying Geese, Snail Trails, Pineapple Blocks and several more. End results are perfect.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 – 1:30 – 3:30 pm $25.00 includes transportation and admission fees
Option #1 – Zest Kitchen and Cookware: Come and visit Zest Kitchen and Cookware in Downtown Billings for a demonstration of a few of their favorite brunch prep tools and enjoy a tasting of recipes they will prepare for you. You’ll explore how Sous Vide cooking can make preparing brunch a breeze. You will also see why nonalcoholic mock-tails will keep your party going and will be easy to prepare with new appliances for making beverages. They will answer your questions about new kitchen cookware.
Option #2 –Moss Mansion: Go back in time by visiting an historic house museum that offers a window into how the city of Billings was built and came to become such a powerhouse in the region. The architect who worked on the original Waldorf and Plaza Hotels in New York City designed this house in 1903 for P.B. Moss, one of the city’s founding fathers. It still contains many of the original furnishings ranging in style from Moorish to Art Nouveau. A gift shop is included in the basement.
