Enjoy the Summer on the Shores of Greenough Lake

Starting high up in the Beartooths, Rock Creek flows out of Glacier Lake.  It makes its way through the valley, meandering along the Beartooth Highway, passing near Red Lodge, and flowing Northwest until it finally dumps into the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone near Laurel.  Long before that point, however, still deep in the valley, the creek flows near Greenough Lake.  This small man-made lake is perfect for those who want to get away for the day or the weekend.

 

The campground at Greenough is fairly small.  There are no RV hookups, so you won’t have to worry about loud and annoying generators ruining your outdoor experience.  You can bring a tent, or a trailer, and for $12 per night enjoy the lodge pole pines and the sounds of the creek.  Since it is a popular place to camp, you may end up needing to drive up the Rock Creek road for a little ways to find one of the more rustic sites.

 

For those who just want to go for the day, you won’t be disappointed.  The parking area is a mere quarter of a mile from Greenough Lake.  You then walk along a foot-access-only road, with hardly any elevation gain at all.  You could easily carry a cooler, or even wheel it along in a wagon (the road is gravel, so it could be a bit bumpy).  Once there you can sit along the edge of the lake, enjoy some fishing, read a book, swim, or just relax.  To be fair, the lake is shallow and quite popular, so if you want to catch decent sized fish you will need to wander down to the creek.  Most of the area is pretty heavily wooded, so don’t blame me if you get snagged on a log, or trip and fall in.

 

Those who want a little more of an adventure can head up Hellroaring Road and see the sights from the top.  The whole area is rich with hiking paths, so a quick hike or a long one can be easily found.  There is plenty of wildlife around, it is not uncommon to spot deer and if you are lucky a moose might show up.

Photo Credit

prpinegar on panoramio.com

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