Castle Rock Park

A Look Back & How It All Started

Situated in the Billings Heights neighborhood, Castle Rock Park spans a generous 25 acres of community space. The park's story began around 1970 when Ken Hollar made the thoughtful decision to donate the property to the City of Billings. Its name draws inspiration from the distinctive castle rocks - those eye-catching sandstone formations that characterize the area.

The park really took shape in 1982, with playing fields, parking, and a playground marking its early days. Tennis courts joined the mix in 1984, and thanks to the Billings Heights Exchange Club, accessible restrooms became part of the picture in 1985.

The following year brought even more amenities - a wading pool, irrigation system, and a stormwater retention pond. Fast forward to 2006, and the wading pool evolved into a more modern spray ground, offering a fresh way to cool off on hot Montana days. In 2015, the tennis courts got a complete makeover, keeping facilities up to date for everyone to enjoy.

What's New & What's Coming

The park entered a new chapter in 2020 with a master plan shaped by significant community input. The vision? Some pretty exciting additions including a community center, amphitheater, pump track, expanded playground, pickleball courts, and enhancements to the spray ground. This forward-thinking plan received the Billings City Council's stamp of approval in January 2021, setting things in motion for the park's next evolution.

One of the most exciting recent updates came in July 2023 with the opening of a new playground. The centerpiece? A towering 33-foot tall wooden play structure - now the highest in all of Billings - and a thrilling 90-foot zipline that's quickly become a favorite feature.

Fun for Everyone

Castle Rock Park has a wide variety of activities. The modern playground keeps kids entertained with multiple slides designed for different age groups, swings, and of course, that popular zipline that brings smiles all around. When summer heats up, the splash pad becomes the place to be, offering a refreshing escape that's particularly meant for families with young children.

Sports enthusiasts can enjoy four well-maintained tennis courts, with two of them featuring lines for pickleball as well. Just keep in mind these courts are for daytime use only, as they don't have lighting for evening play. The large field with soccer lines provides plenty of space for organized sports, but it's equally meant for flying kites, tossing a frisbee, playing catch, or just running around.

Comfort & Convenience

You'll discover all the essentials here to make your visit comfortable. The ADA-accessible restrooms and walking paths ensure the park is welcoming to visitors of all abilities. Within the grounds, multiple picnic areas with tables and benches invite you to enjoy an outdoor meal or snack, with some covered options available for shade and trash cans conveniently placed nearby.

There's plenty of parking, but it's worth noting that the lot sits at some distance from the playground. The expansive grassy areas provide additional space for spreading out a blanket or just relaxing, and the hillside seating near the splash pad offers a great vantage point for keeping an eye on the play areas.

At the Heart of the Community

During summer months, Castle Rock hosts movie screenings with food trucks, providing evenings for families and neighbors to gather.

Locals often refer to it as "the best park in the Heights." Whether you're planning a quick visit or spending the day, the park's size and variety of facilities provide plenty of options for outdoor recreation in Billings.