Zimmerman Trail Closes for Rock Stabilization
A stretch of Zimmerman Trail in Billings is closed while contractors secure rock above the roadway.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Hiking
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Zimmerman Trail between Rimrock Road and Highway 3 closed Monday, November 9, at 8:30 a.m. so contractors can stabilize and secure a section of rock above the road.
Why it matters
More than 13,000 vehicles use this stretch of Zimmerman Trail each day, so the closure will affect commuters across Billings. Billings Public Works is urging drivers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
Zimmerman Trail between Rimrock Road and Highway 3 is closed beginning 8:30 a.m. on November 9, 2026. Contractors are stabilizing a section of rock above the road, and the work is expected to continue through November 30.
The players
Billings Public Works
The city department responsible for maintaining Billings streets and roads, which is encouraging drivers to plan ahead for the Zimmerman Trail closure.
The details
Contractors are working to stabilize and secure a rock face above Zimmerman Trail, requiring the closure of the affected stretch. Drivers who normally use the route must take an alternate path and allow extra commute time.
Timeline
November 9, 2026, 8:30 a.m.: Zimmerman Trail closure begins between Rimrock Road and Highway 3.
November 30, 2026: Expected end of rock stabilization work and the closure, including over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Seasonal Patterns
Rock stabilization work on Billings' rimrock roadways is typically scheduled in the late fall, when traffic counts and weather windows allow crews to complete the work before winter. This closure fits that pattern by temporarily removing a route that carries more than 13,000 vehicles a day.
Drivers who normally travel Zimmerman Trail between Rimrock Road and Highway 3 must use an alternate route and allow extra time for their commute. The closure runs through the Thanksgiving holiday, so plan travel in advance.
The takeaway
Plan alternate routes and extra commute time now, since the Zimmerman Trail closure runs through November 30.
What happens next
The rock stabilization work and Zimmerman Trail closure are expected to end on November 30, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the outdoor trails around the city, see Hiking coverage for Billings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KULR-8 Local News.
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