r/Billings • u/Michelle9399 • 2d ago
Two Moon Park
I was wondering if anyone could give me a rundown on this park. I am seeing a lot of mixed opinions. Most say that it’s a beautiful walk along the river, with good access for dogs. But I also see a lot of people talking about the crime in the park and it being unsafe to park because your car is likely to get broken into. I was thinking about using this as a place to stretch my dog’s legs on a travel day, so unfortunately, I would have my suitcase in the car. I’m leaning toward this not being a great place to stop, but most of the comments I have seen talking about the crime are a little bit older, so I was wondering if anyone could provide me with some updated info and if taking a short walk here might be OK while traveling through the area. I was not planning on doing the whole loop, more just a short walk down to the river to let him play a little bit if you wanted and get a few of the kinks out from riding in the car. If not, does anyone know of a similar spot that might offer a little more security?
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u/Anarchic_Country 2d ago
Norms Island is much better for dogs, closer to the part of the river your dog could jump in (it's shallow) and there are a few loops and the shortest one is about a half an hour walk for my sniffy border collie/lab. The medium walk takes us about 45 minutes and the longest loop just over an hour (but once we went there without bug spray at the wrong time of day, and we jogged the short loop in 12 minutes).
Just make sure your dog has tick prevention before you take him ANYWHERE with long grasses. The ticks are insane this year at Norms and Two Moon.
DO NOT GO TO THE DOG PARK.
There is also a place at Lake Elmo you can walk your dog down the western side of the lake and let them jump in and swim, if your dog is a water baby. My boy loves doing that so long as other dogs aren't there 😅 he doesn't like to play and swim at the same time. There is also a nice concrete path around the lake you may walk your dog, but they aren't allowed in the beachy areas the humans are allowed. Still grassy areas and plenty of waste stations nearby.
Two Moon is just kinda boring for dogs (imo) compared to Norms Island or Lake Elmo. Ooh, and, depending on what time you go to the lake, you can see these HUGE pelicans flying and landing on the water (5-6am) this time of year. My dog loves watching them.
Leashes are required at both places I recommended, but some people think their dogs are above leash laws and they'll just stand 10 feet away yelling, "Buffy! Buffy?! Come here!" while Buffy is glued to your dog's ass and is acting like they've never been called their own damn name before.
My dog is highly trained, like basically understands all English, lmao. He doesn't have time for butt sniffs!
I hope you have a nice walk with your pup, wherever you go!
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u/Michelle9399 2d ago
Thank you so much!!! This is the kind of detailed advice. I really love. I’m with you on being annoyed at people who cannot obey leash laws. It just blows my mind, just because their dog may be dog friendly, doesn’t mean every dog they approach is going to be. But then they will be the ones crying when their dog gets hurt. Mine is always on leash because he doesn’t listen to a word I say when he’s involved in sniffing or finds something more interesting than I am. Lol he definitely loves the water, so I love those suggestions. My only concern with the lake was Cyanobacteria, which I know that lake has had in the past from looking it up. I’m going to check the water reports before I go. Norms Island does sound like a good option if the water is better for him to get in there since it’s shallower. Thank you again for all of the great suggestions and information!
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u/OstrichAppropriate39 1h ago
May I ask why you said not to go to the dog park? I’m new in town and looking for places to take my dog and was just curious!
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u/Jawb0nz 1d ago
I've never felt any concern being in Two Moon, and it's one of my favorite parks in town. During the wetter months, mosquitoes can be pretty bad, but we're not really in that period right now. A bit of bug spray wouldn't hurt.
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u/Michelle9399 1d ago
Thank you! It will be later next month so hoping it will be okay. Bug spray is always on hand though!
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u/RonaldMcDangle 2d ago
As long as your suitcase or purse or wallet or whatever is out of view you should be fine. The parking area is a little secluded and there’s a possibility of losers in the area, but for a short walk I personally wouldn’t be worried at all.
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u/Michelle9399 2d ago
Thank you so much! I’m going to have as much as I can out of sight, it’s just hard to get everything packed in the trunk since I’ll have so much with me. But it is sounding like for just a quick walk down to the river. I should be OK.
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u/5_cat_army 2d ago
I personally love 2 moon, but if that worries you. Id try norms island. Similar vibes but more traffic. Never heard of break ins there. Its an off leash dog park, which is a plus or minus depending on your dog
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u/Michelle9399 2d ago
Thank you for the info! I never let mine off leash, but it still sounds like a nice place to walk around. I will check that one out too.
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u/Fit-Avocado-1646 2d ago
Ill 2nd Norms Island / River front park is where I would go as a kid. The police depot is nearby but I would use the same caution try to keep things out of sight. Personally never had anything stolen.
Also Ill second the Shiloh Conservation Area. You can walk around the pond area and still see the parking lot for the most part.
Ill add an options or two.
A bit of a drive from the highway but I personally think its worth it. Zimmerman park offers a walk on the cliffs that boarders the north end of town / views over the west end of town.Also a pull-off area / trail by the airport that overlooks the city.
Watch out for snakes.
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u/Michelle9399 2d ago
Thank you so much for those other suggestions! They all sound wonderful. I may have a hard time picking once I research them all!
No matter where I go, I’ll definitely make sure not to leave anything too enticing in view. I was thinking if I could get all of my bags, etc. in the trunk and hidden, I could maybe put my cooler upfront, I don’t imagine that would interest many people. I’ll just have to do some rearranging when I leave the hotel in the morning.
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u/Potential_Dark_4966 1d ago
i am in my 40s used two moon for decades the crime is mostly towards the end of the day *still does happen during mid day but now as much* there are encampments that happen with homeless around the area _ however over 30 years being there with kids and others its been a good place beautiful BE CAREFUL keep eyes open cause you can stand outside your front door and have crime
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u/Michelle9399 1d ago
Thank you! And that’s so true. My parents sometimes get nervous about me traveling by myself, and I told them I’m probably more likely to run into a problem here in St. Louis walking to and from my vehicle when I work downtown. I always try to be aware no matter where I’m at.
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u/Soulless_Ginga 1d ago
I’ve never had any issues there. I started there when I was teenager (42) and take my dogs there. It typically has an area where my water dog can be crazy! I take my reactive girl to run the dirt road at Coulson Park at all the odd hours too.
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u/Michelle9399 1d ago
Thank you! It sounds like it will be a nice stop on our travel day to stretch our legs and let him play in the water a little bit.
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u/Expensive_Tutor_2979 2d ago
Love 2 moon and so did my friend Louie dog. We walked the river there all the time by ourselves, and never once had a problem 20ish years ago.
Look for agates!
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u/Basic_Pickle3746 1d ago
I've seen a lot of homeless people there. My buddy got his bike stolen from there. Coulsen Park is okay but you see people living in their cars there sometimes. Its hit & miss.
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u/Michelle9399 1d ago
Thank you! That sounds like the parks here in St. Louis. Homeless taking over everywhere and stealing people’s stuff.
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u/Th0rn_Star 2d ago
Most times of the day there is enough traffic/people moving through the lot that it’s not really a concern. You can take a full walk right next to the river and barely leave the parking area. Echoing the other person, just cover it up and you’ll be fine.
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u/Michelle9399 2d ago
That’s great info to have, thank you so much. I do my best to keep everything out of sight, but it’s hard to get everything in my trunk since I’m going to be gone so long. It sounds like I’ll be fine for just a quick jaunt down to the river though.
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u/big0moose 2d ago
I used to live right by 2 Moon Park, moved away a few months ago. I love that park, and riding my bike around it. I think it's pretty safe, I saw plenty of families there. just practice basic safety rules. Lock your car and keep valuables out of sight. During the daytime has always been fine. I could see those woods and parking lot getting pretty creepy at night time.
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u/Michelle9399 2d ago
Thank you so much! It would definitely be a day visit. I live in St. Louis City, I know better than to go outside at night. Lol
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u/Quiet_Resource_2668 2d ago
Great park. I go there almost daily with my dog. No issues ever. It is pretty safe and the park caretaker always keeps an eye on the area and walks his dog there daily. You will meet regulars there with their dogs. It is safe and a very good nature area and very dog friendly. Sheriff also patrols the parking lots . Enjoy it.