Exploring Montana's Tippet Rise: Music, Art, Adventure

If you're in southern Montana, you'll want to check out Tippet Rise. Music, art, and outdoor adventure await at this incredible working ranch.

My visit to Tippet Rise was part of a conference I attended. Note that some ads and links here are affiliate, which means I may be paid a small commission should you make a purchase.

At Tippet Rise, music isn't the only activity. You can also check out sculptures!

What do you call a piece of art that doubles as an impromptu concert venue and a scratching post for itchy cattle? Well, the artists call it The Domo and it’s one of 12 enormous sculptures on 12,000 acres of ranch land at Montana’s Tippet Rise Art Center. 

Tippet Rise, not far from Billings, Montana, is a working ranch, an open-air sculpture park, a fantastic spot for hiking and biking and - most notably - a world-class classical music venue. The music barn (yes, barn!) has acoustics designed to mimic Mozart’s favourite concert halls and it may just be the finest intimate classical music venue in the world. Artistic ambitions extend to the spectacular sculptures, including The Domo, which welcomes human, animal, and musical interaction. And if that wasn’t enough, Tippet Rise is now one of Montana’s greenest destinations. ​

I was fortunate to visit in 2019. It was a rainy, windy day but the dramatic weather conditions only made my visit all the more atmospheric (if you'll pardon the pun...) I was also treated to a short performance in the Olivier Music Barn and enjoyed its wonderful warm acoustics first hand. You don't often see destinations that combine rugged outdoor fun, exquisite classical music, and commanding modern art in one package but after my visit, I can't imagine it any other way.

In 2022, four new sculptures will be calling Tippet Rise home and in-person music will be back after nearly three years. There's never been a more exciting time to visit! Here are the different ways you can explore this memorable destination.

Hiking and biking

Ready for some exercise? Tippet Rise is open for self-guided hiking and biking during the summer months on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. There's over 21 kilometres (13 miles) of trails to explore and they will take you past the outdoor sculptures.

​Tippet Rise's website has ample information for hikers and bikers but there's some important points worth repeating. Dogs aren't welcome, as this is a working ranch and there might be cattle, sheep, and farm dogs around. There are stations to refill water bottles but you should bring your own snacks. Cyclists must wear helmets and all explorers are encouraged to bring a spare layer of warm clothing. Lastly, you must make a reservation (which helps ensure that the trails never get crowded).

Exploring by shuttle

If you'd rather not explore by foot or by bike, Tippet Rise has an alternative: the shuttle! (Note: This might not be available in pandemic years.) When available, this free service brings visitors to the different pieces of open air sculpture. You can see the pieces and learn about the artists who created them here.

Every aspect of Tippet Rise was carefully, thoughtfully designed. One of the things that impressed me most is that they worked with a landscape architect to determine the placement of sculpture and even aspects of the roads. You don't see everything at once but rather get to enjoy each piece in the environment which was specifically selected for it, with no distractions - save for any curious cows who might be around.

However, there is one way that you definitely cannot use to explore and that's your own car. This is a sensitive environment. Cars wouldn't be a great idea here! 

Enjoying a concert

Attending a concert in the Olivier Music Barn, one of the world's finest classical music spaces, must cost a fortune, right? Happily, performance tickets are only ten dollars. This has to be one of the all time epic bargains in the United States. However, there is a catch. Tickets are in high demand. As such, a lottery is held to determine what lucky folks get a chance to buy them.

The easiest way to keep on top of the registration dates for the lottery is to subscribe to the Tippet Rise newsletter. This is where you'll also hear of musical performances that aren't in the music barn but in their other facilities (including the Shell and the Shed!)

To get your musical fill year round, Tippet Rise also offers virtual programming - which thankfully doesn't have the same capacity concerns! You can also watch some pre-recorded performances in their film library.

Practical tips for planning your Tippet Rise visit

Tippet Rise is a destination you can only visit via personal vehicle. Happily, it's not far from popular road trip routes, as it’s between Yellowstone (four hours away) and Glacier National Park (six and a half hours away). The city of Billings, about 75 minutes from Tippet Rise, is home to a wide range of restaurants, hotels, services, and amenities. The closest hotel and motels are in the community of Red Lodge (fifty minutes).

While I was in the area, I stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites Billings West I-90. Overall, it was just about what you'd expect. I appreciated the spacious room, the breakfast buffet which included smoothies and different flavours of make-your-own waffles, and the friendly staff. However, I did feel isolated from the rest of Billings. I was far from downtown and not well positioned to explore the city with ease. In short, this hotel is good for a road trip stay but not ideal if Billings is your main destination.

If you're planning a trip to Montana, these other blog posts are sure to inspire!

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Llama Trekking Montana: A Memorable Micro-Adventure
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