Riverfront Park

Use the main developed area near Lake Josephine for parking, shelters, picnic areas, fishing, restrooms, and lake paths. River access and trail connections use separate approaches near South Billings Boulevard.

Yes. Free lots serve developed lake, shelter, picnic, trail, and river-access areas. High water, mud, events, and maintenance can close individual lots.

Routes include an asphalt loop around developed lake areas and natural-surface connections toward the Yellowstone River, Dutcher Trail, and Norm's Island. Flooding, mud, snow, and ice affect natural sections.

Restrooms serve the developed lake and shelter area, but the park lies in the Yellowstone River floodplain and facilities may be seasonal or closed during high water or winterization.

Developed parking, picnic areas, shelters, and portions of the paved lake trail provide step-free options. Natural river routes, launch edges, flood damage, and seasonal mud vary.

Yes. Three shelters are reservable from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for $125 each in 2026. Alcohol permits are not allowed at Riverfront Park or its shelters.

General entry, parking, lake and river trails, fishing, picnic sites, and open recreation are free. Shelter reservations, event permits, and programs may charge.

Yellowstone River high water can close low roads, paths, river access, restrooms, and parking. Check Billings park alerts after snowmelt or heavy rain.

Riverfront Park itself is a mixed-use natural and picnic area, not a designated fenced dog park. Keep dogs under control and follow posted leash rules around lakes, wildlife, shelters, and trails. Norm's Island has separate conditions and should not be assumed to make all connected routes off leash.

Natural cottonwood and riverside vegetation provide shade on portions of the trails and picnic landscape, while lake edges, paved segments, and open shelter approaches can be exposed. Bring sun protection and water during hot, dry, or smoky conditions.

Yes. Fishing is a recognized use around the park's lakes and Yellowstone River access. Montana licensing and seasonal regulations apply, and high water, ice, algae, wildlife activity, or restoration work can temporarily make particular banks unsafe or unavailable.

Billings Parks and Recreation does not list a playground at Riverfront Park, and Riverfront is absent from the City's current playground directory. Plan this park for paved jogging paths, natural areas, picnics, shelters, horseshoes, lakes, and river access rather than swings or slides. For equipment play, choose a park from the official Billings playground directory; supervise children closely near water, natural banks, ice, and wildlife.

Billings Parks and Recreation does not list a swimming beach, pool, or splash ground at Riverfront Park. Lake Josephine and the Yellowstone River provide fishing, scenery, shoreline, and water access, but they are natural waters without a listed supervised swim area. Do not treat the lake or river as children's water play; currents, cold water, changing depth, banks, debris, and water quality require separate judgment. Use a currently operated City pool or sprayground, or Lake Elmo State Park's designated beach, for planned swimming.

Billings Parks and Recreation does not identify direct bus service into Riverfront Park. Use the MET Transit live system map with the park entrance at 7250 Highway 3 and verify both the nearest signed stop and the final walking route before leaving; Lake Josephine, the Yellowstone River access, shelters, trails, and dog area are spread across a large property. If the planner does not show a safe practical walk, arrange a ride and pickup.

Lake Josephine anchors the developed park and shelter area, while the Yellowstone River and Norm Schoenthal Island, historically called Barbara Island, form a separate natural section reached through the broader trail network. Three reservable shelters, paved jogging routes, picnic areas, and natural areas are distributed across the property. Use the park map or a named shelter for arrival; the lake, island, and river access should not be treated as one parking destination.