Whether you’re planning a Montana vacation…thinking about moving to our beautiful Big Sky state…or looking for assistance to grow your business…the Laurel Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center is here to help!
Your hub for travel in Montana
Located on the famous Yellowstone River and only a short drive to blue- ribbon trout fishing, skiing, hunting, camping, horseback riding and national forest access, Laurel is the perfect starting point for outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
And for those with tamer tastes, you’re just minutes away from a wide variety of shopping, fine dining, lush parks, fascinating museums, world-class art and cultural centers in Billings.
Laurel has become known as the Hub of Montana because from here, all roads lead to the exciting historical and recreational opportunities throughout Montana and Wyoming. And at the Laurel Chamber of Commerce, we’re happy to help you get your Montana vacation or relocation plans started off on the right foot.
Your hub for business growth
But the Chamber isn’t just about Montana tourism. We also provide important services to help foster a healthy business climate in the Laurel area for business owners and employees alike.
Laurel is located in Yellowstone County, Montana (population 138,000). Laurel’s population is 7,300. Laurel is located just 14 miles west of Billings, Montana’s largest city. The elevation here is 3,515 feet above sea level.
► Climate:
The weather stays fairly mild, with an average July temperature of 72° and average January temperature of 20°. While it does get hotter and colder than these, extreme weather rarely lasts more than a few days at a time. The average annual moisture is 15.09 inches, and the average growing season is 133 days — enough for growing a nice variety of vegetables and fruits.
► Recreation:
The Laurel area offers a variety of family-friendly recreational opportunities, including Riverside Park, Thomson Park, Lions Family Park, Buffalo Mirage Fishing Access, Laurel Golf Club (private club), Cooney Dam, and five sports parks.
River rafting, fishing, hiking, camping, horseback riding, American Legion baseball games and a public outdoor swimming pool offer great outdoor fun. Lion’s Family Park South Side Pond provides fishing access and picnic areas to while away a summer afternoon. Be sure to have your pole ready for the fishing derby there in September. It’s lots of fun for the young (and the young at heart!). Also, check out Buffalo Mirage Fishing Access for boating (docks available) as well as excellent fishing.
Indoor recreation includes a bowling alley, a fitness center with pool, and various family restaurants. A new community-built playground and picnic area in Kiwanis Park entertains kids of all ages.
For night owls, Laurel offers several night clubs with billiards and dancing to live bands. Also several taverns with casino-style keno and poker machines.
► Sports & Activities:
The Laurel public schools, and city recreational organizations, offer excellent sports programs, including football, basketball, fast-pitch softball, Little League baseball, soccer, cross-country, track, volleyball and wrestling.
Our city hosts the District 5-C boys’ and girls’ basketball tournaments in February, and the American Legion Baseball Tournament. We also have a new sports complex that allows Laurel to host state-level competitions.
Additional activities include speech, drama and debate for which Laurel hosts divisional competitions.
► Vacation & Relocation Information:
Laurel’s tourism center is located at the Laurel Chamber of Commerce log cabin, 108 E. Main. Here you will find current booklets, brochures, maps and other information on points of interest in Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas. Call (406) 628-8105 or email us to request information on a vacation in Montana or relocating to the Laurel area. Click here to download the Laurel Visitor Guide
► Employment & Economy:
Cenex Harvest States Refinery, Montana Rail Link, Laurel School District 7-70, and Wood’s Powr-Grip comprise the major employers in Laurel. Farming and ranching provide other important mainstays.
Hope you enjoyed your introduction to Laurel.
Laurel Statistics:
County Yellowstone
City Population 7,000
County Population 144,797
Latitude 45 degrees, 40 minutes North
Longitude 108 degrees, 46 minutes West
Township 2S
Range 24E
Elevation 3,300 feet above sea level
Humidity Low
Average Annual Temperature 47.2
Average Annual Precipitation 15.09 inches
Average Length of Growing Season 133 days
Average Annual Snowfall 13.00 inches
Record Low Temperature -35 2/18/1936
Record High Temperature 107 7/23/2003
Average Daily Temp
January 20.9
April 44.6
July 72.3
October 48.3