Tippet Rise Tours
Hiking & Mountain Biking
Hiking and biking self-guided tours have concluded for the 2024 season.
Registration for the 2025 season opens in early spring. To receive the latest information about upcoming programs and ways to visit, please sign up for our e-newsletter.
Tippet Rise is an art center and working ranch where large-scale sculptures are sited across 12,500 vast and hilly acres, sharing pastures with Montana wildlife. Guests are welcome to bring their own mountain bike, e-bike, or hiking shoes for self-guided tours exploring 15 miles of trails that connect the artworks. Distances between each sculpture vary from .5 mile to 3 miles.
Whether you are seeking an adventuresome experience, with the possibility to gain as much as 2,000 vertical feet, or if you prefer to take in the scenery at a more leisurely pace, there are trail options to meet various needs.
Additionally, our main Cottonwood Campus features over two miles of gentle walking and biking trails, and the opportunity to experience several artworks and the beautiful landscape.
Included further below are descriptions of the hiking and biking trails beyond the Cottonwood Campus.
Trail Descriptions
Gnomon
The lower section of the Gnomon Trail gently winds its way from Daydreams by Patrick Dougherty to a main 4-way intersection, the Compass, one mile away. This family-friendly trail is a great way to ease into an exploration of our trail system, or as a short walk to see the land beyond the Cottonwood Campus. The upper section of the Gnomon Trail takes visitors 1.5 miles (3 miles round-trip) on rolling terrain from the Compass intersection to Satellite #5: Pioneer by Stephen Talasnik. From the visitor center to Satellite #5: Pioneer, the Gnomon is 5 miles round-trip.
Meridian
Beginning at the Compass, the Meridian trail steadily climbs over 1,140 feet in 3.9 miles to reach its destination at the Domo by Ensamble Studio. While the trail switchbacks throughout the ascent, the climb is moderate to demanding in difficulty depending on physical fitness level. About two-thirds up the trail at 2.4 miles, there is a shade structure that can be used for a picnic spot, or as a rest stop along the way. From here guests can also choose to take the Azimuth Trail to either Ensamble Studio’s Inverted Portal, seen from the shade structure, or the Beartooth Portal. Another 1.5 miles of ascent on the Meridian will take guests to the Domo. This trail can be explored in either direction, making it a fun descent on the bike or a pleasurable walk back to the visitor center. Round-trip the Meridian is 9.8 miles, making it a great option for an all-day outing.
Azimuth
The east section of the Azimuth, or the first trail intersection reached on the Meridian, takes guests .9 miles (1.8 miles round-trip) on moderate rolling terrain, climbing over 100 feet over and up to the Inverted Portal by Ensamble Studio.
The west section of the Azimuth trail is 1.25 miles (2.5 miles round-trip) and descends into Murphy Canyon before climbing back up over 190 feet to a sweeping bowl in the hills beyond the Beartooth Portal by Ensamble Studio. From here, guests can return the way they came, or take the Andesite Trail to the Beartooth Portal, another 1.5 miles away.
Andesite
The Andesite trail can be followed in either direction. It connects the Beartooth Portal by Ensamble Studio with the Azimuth. Gaining or descending over 170 feet in 1.5 miles, this trail takes guests along the rim of Murphy Canyon while climbing up to the ridge above the Beartooth Portal or down to the intersection with the Azimuth trail.
Ecliptic Loop
Beginning at the Domo, this 3.1-mile loop brings guests to two sculptures by Mark di Suvero: Beethoven’s Quartet and Proverb. While this loop can be taken in either direction, we suggest doing it counterclockwise. Along the way, the Ecliptic descends and climbs roughly 600 feet as the trail winds into and out of the scenic Box and Arney Canyons, In Box Canyon and in view of Proverb, there is a small cabin perfect for a picnic or shady resting stop. Eventually returning to the Domo, the Ecliptic loop is a great option for guests wanting to see a variety of sculptures and landscapes.
Once You Are Here
- Dogs are not allowed at Tippet Rise, out of respect for the livestock that graze here and the wildlife for which the art center is vital habitat.
- We recommend a mountain bike or any bicycle suitable for single track trails.
- Please bring a helmet. All cyclists are required to wear a helmet.
- Please stay on designated trails and roads.
- The weather can change quickly at Tippet Rise. Please dress for the outdoors and please consider wearing sun protection.
- Bring your own snacks or lunch and water or a water bottle, which you can fill at the Art Center.
- Please be aware of your surroundings and alert to changing weather. Tippet Rise is a working ranch and you may encounter sheep, cattle and herd dogs. Please do not approach or feed any of the animals or wildlife you may encounter.
- For more information, including a packing list, please see the FAQs section of our Visit page.
