Our grounds and trails are open to the public from dawn to dusk every day, free of charge.
Download our Montana Audubon Center Trail Map
Please respect the following guidelines:
Open to the public from sunrise to sunsetThe Montana Audubon Center is the proud home of Billings’ first public, ADA accessible Nature Play Space for the community. A Nature Play Space provides a space where children can play outside and connect with nature in a safe, unstructured manner. Nature play improves the physical and emotional health of children and complements important mental and social development stepping stones.
To bring back youth to nature, Nature Play areas are outdoor spaces designated for play that are made of natural components such as logs, water, sand, mud boulders, hills and trees. These components represent the larger wild environment in a way that feels safe and manageable by young visitors. A few man-made components are also carefully integrated to support creative play, encourage confident exploration and help children develop long-lasting affinity for the natural world.
The Nature Play Area was developed along with stakeholders and partners including local community members, parents, teachers, children, and funding partners. Major site work was done by Good Earth Works and our primary Center partner, the Yellowstone River Parks Association.
Nick Cladis, Phillips 66, and the Harry L. Willett Foundation
West Billings Rotary and Peaks to Plains
Arrow Solutions, Billings Community Foundation, Bev Ross, Dr. Michelle Spenny, Good Earth Works, Lucky’s Market, Montana Dakota Utilities, and Stillwater Mining Company
Since its dedication in April 2018, “The Bird Garden” has become a keystone in our education programs. It is named in honor of Helen Carlson Cummins, a well-known and well-loved bird enthusiast in Billings. It is a place for all ages to observe and enjoy birds up close, and is the perfect overlay and complement to our native plant demonstration gardens adjacent the field lab. It is also a partner effort with Wild Birds Unlimited, Billings and Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society to highlight appropriate bird-feeding equipment and practices and encourage the joy of bird watching.
Our Bird Garden donation program helps us to maintain the bird seed supply and feeder maintenance through the year. Multiple support opportunities are available, and donations can also be made in honor of someone in your life who appreciates birds or backyard bird feeding. More info here!
Our building and grounds are available for your next workshop, conference, or meeting. We offer a large classroom, small meeting room, and ample outdoor space that can accommodate a variety of groups and needs. Please call us to learn more: 406.294.5099