Trails got a bright start for 2022 with a major donation from a Billings couple and other trail enthusiasts donating more than $159,000 in the past three months to Billings TrailNet to help us continue our monetary gifts to the City of Billings for trail development.

We notice that many of our members have traveled both nationally and abroad, and have been inspired by other communities’ trails.  Although they believe Billings trails have a good start, they realize there is more work to do.

 Many in Billings like the idea of the Billings Marathon Loop and would like to see the last few gaps get connected. As the Marathon Loop provides recreational links to Billings’ two outstanding features, the rims and the river, they see the goal as worthy of such a large investment.

 The Skyline Trail will be the next trail along the Marathon Loop to be built. The estimated $3.5 million to develop the trail comes from a monies provided to the City of Billings from the United States Department of Transportation’s BUILD grant. The trail is expected to be completed by fall of 2024.

Another key link in the loop is the Stagecoach Trail: a path which would connect Rimrock Road to Highway 3 on the rims just east of Zimmerman Trail. In 2021 the trail was estimated to cost $3-4 million. 

“It’s important to finally get there,” says the top donor, who wishes to remain anonymous. “You can’t do it with only $10-$20 donations. They help, but somebody has to recognize the need and step up,” and this couple certainly did!

While Billings TrailNet has been raising money to help the city build trails, it has enabled the city to leverage the $757,000 it has received from Billings TrailNet to more than $16 million in pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

We appreciate our donors and all of you who make a real difference in our community by helping us develop trails where we can connect with nature, eachother and our wellbeing!