A Local’s Favorite Things to do in Bozeman, Montana
I first visited Bozeman, Montana on a family vacation in January of 2008. We made the long drive from our home in Iowa in one day, and arrived in Bozeman in the dark of the long winter night. I’ll never forget the following morning, watching the sunrise light up the Madison Mountains to the west of town; the way the light danced over the snow-covered peaks was an almost otherworldy sight to an Iowa farm boy whose idea of a high peak was the top of a grain silo. I didn’t know it at the time, but that trip was the beginning of a love affair with the little corner of Southwest Montana that I now call home.
As transformative as my trip to Bozeman was, the experience of my first visit is hardly a unique one. Nestled in the sprawling Gallatin Valley, and surrounded by a series of awe-inspiring mountain ranges, thousands of visitors flock to and fall in love with Bozeman every year. And because it is located just 90 miles north of world-famous Yellowstone National Park, Bozeman is the perfect launching-point for an adventure to that area. Having lived in the Bozeman area for the better part of a decade and a half now, I want to share with you some of the top things to do in Bozeman, and why Bozeman stands as a perfect launching point on your way to Yellowstone National Park.
Why Bozeman is the best place to start a yellowstone adventure
First, some logistics. The majority of travellers to Yellowstone will originate their trip out of one of two towns: Jackson Hole, Wyoming to the south, and Bozeman to the north. While Jackson Hole is technically closer to Yellowstone, there are a number of reasons why starting and ending your trip out of Bozeman makes more sense for a lot of travellers.
One major advantage is affordability. Jackson has long been, and continues to be, a hub for the uber-wealthy. While Bozeman has seen cost-of-living averages soar in recent years, it remains on the whole a much more affordable option than Jackson. The recently renovated Bozeman International Airport continues to add more and more direct flights every year, and is increasingly a more affordable option to fly in and out of than other airports in the region, including Jackson Hole.
Another advantage is that tour guide companies (including Wildland Trekking), are increasingly opting to originate tours out of Bozeman. Bozeman’s close proximity to Yellowstone, combined with its accessibility, make it a logical home-base for guiding companies in the region. No matter what type of trip you want to take to Yellowstone, you’ll be sure to find a guiding company who can cater to your needs.
The third reason is simply that there are a plethora of amazing things to do in Bozeman! For the outdoor enthusiasts among us, Bozeman has long been a hub for all kinds of wilderness adventures. And in recent years, as Bozeman has seen a boom in growth, the town has started to attract more restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues, meaning there are an increasingly wider array of things to do in Bozeman than ever before!
Where to stay in bozeman
One thing that is convenient when travelling to Bozeman is that there are a lot of options for lodging. From high-end luxury hotels to run-of-the-mill hostels, you’ll be able to find a place to suit your needs. If you are looking to be centrally located and within walking distance to some of the top things to do in Bozeman, try to get a spot at any of the multitude of options available in or near the downtown/main street area.
The Element Hotel and The Armory Hotel on Mendenhall St. are both great options for those travellers looking for a more luxurious experience. For more budget-conscious travellers, the Treasure State Hostel on Main Street has the most affordable options in town. There are also many dependable lodging options solidly in the middle, including the Holiday Inn Express Bozeman West, where we host the pre-trip orientation for our popular Yellowstone Snowshoe Traverse.
Experience the magic of Yellowstone in the winter
Things to do in Bozeman
Go to the rodeo
For those looking for an authentic Montana experience, nothing compares to seeing a rodeo show at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. Put on your cowboy boots and hat and enjoy the exhilarating action as daring cowboys and cowgirls test their metal in a variety of ranching skills-based tests. The Valley View Rodeo Series holds events on Thursdays throughout the summer, and the Bozeman Stampede is an annual three-day event held each summer in early August. On top of the action-packed rodeo action, shows are often capped off with a country music show to boot.
Explore the Gallatin Canyon
Located 30 minutes from downtown Bozeman, the Gallatin Canyon is considered the “adventure capital” of the region. The crystal-clear waters of the majestic Gallatin River wind their way through tree-lined mountains studded with craggy rock outcrops, providing the perfect backdrop for a multitude of adventurous outings offered in the region.
Whitewater Rafting and Ziplining
The Gallatin River offers some of the best technical whitewater rafting in all of Montana. Full and half day rafting adventures are offered through Montana Whitewater Tours, and range anywhere from mellow class II floats to technical class IV rapids. You can also go ziplining on Montana Whitewater’s 1 to 3 hour long zipline courses in the heart of the Gallatin Canyon.
Rock Climbing
Challenge yourself to reach new heights (literally) and take in the beauty of Montana in a truly unique way with a rock climbing tour through Montana Alpine Guides (mtalpine.com). The granitic outcrops of the Gallatin Canyon offer the best rock for climbing in the area, and MAG will provide you with an experienced guide and all the gear you’ll need to enjoy a day on the rocks.
Fly Fishing
There’s a reason people travel from all over the world to fly fish in Montana. It really is that good. So good, in fact, that the Gallatin River served as the filming location for most of the fly fishing scenes in the most quintessential of all fly fishing films, A River Runs Through It. Cutthroat trout and Montana Whitefish are just a couple of the many types of fish chased by anglers on the Gallatin throughout the year.
Gallatin River Guides is one of a number of fly fishing operations in the area that can cater a trip to your specific needs.
See dinosaur bones at the Museum of the Rockies
Of all the things to do in Bozeman, nothing compares to a trip to the renowned Museum of the Rockies. The Siebel Dinosaur Complex is the crown jewel of the museum. Formed in collaboration with world-renowned paleontologist Jack Horner, it is home to one of the largest collections of North American dinosaurs in the world, including one of the few mounted T. Rex skeletons in the United States.
On top of seeing dino bones, visitors are treated to a breath-taking view of the cosmos at the Taylor Planetarium, and can learn about human habitation of the area with exhibits featuring the history of Indigenous People and early European explorers of Montana.
Pick huckleberries on a hike
Any list of things to do in Bozeman wouldn’t be complete without a hike. And if you time your trip right you’ll be treated to the time-honored Montana hiker’s tradition of picking wild huckleberries right off the shrub. Prime huckleberry-picking season can vary year to year depending on conditions and other factors such as terrain and elevation, but generally ranges from early-August to mid-September each year. Below are a list of just a few of the best hikes in the Bozeman area:
Triple Tree Trail – Located less than ten minutes drive from downtown Bozeman, the Triple Tree Trail treats hikers to stunning views of the Gallatin Valley from a viewpoint at the trail’s apex. The trail can be done as a 3 mile or a 5 mile loop depending on starting trailhead, and involves a gain of 500 feet in elevation.
Lava Lake – This 5.5 mile out-and-back is popular amongst out-of-town travellers and locals alike. Hikers consistently rank it as one of their favorite things to do in Bozeman and the surrounding area. You’ll make a steep climb of about 1,600 feet in the mountains of the Gallatin Canyon. Your reward for all that work? Breath-taking views of beautiful Lava Lake. Pack along your swim trunks and a towel and take a dip in the lake if you’re feeling extra adventurous!
Storm Castle Peak – For stunning 360 degree views of the mountains around Bozeman, you’ll have trouble finding any to top the views from Storm Castle Peak in the Gallatin Mountain Range. The hike is strenuous, with an elevation change of over 1,800 feet over the 5 mile distance of the hike, but you’ll be treated to views that will last a lifetime.
Yellowstone and the tetons hiking tour
Explore and dine downtown
Historic downtown Bozeman has long been and continues to be the economic hub of the community. Main Street still holds its charm with buildings over 100 years old and is bustling with shops, coffeeshops, bars and restaurants.
You’ll need some nourishment to keep your body energized for any activity you get up to in Bozeman, and luckily downtown and the surrounding area is stacked with a variety of eateries to suit anyone’s tastes.
For breakfast, you can’t go wrong with a pastry and coffee from 2022 James Beard Award Semifinalist, Wild Crumb. And downtown, the Western Cafe has been a Bozeman institution for over a century and continues to churn out classic hearty breakfast fare (don’t miss out on one of their famous cinnamon rolls).
For dinner, it’s hard to find a more quintessential Bozeman dining experience than Montana Ale Works. Adored by tourists and locals alike, Ale Works has a vast selection of dishes and beers. Meat eaters will be tempted by any of the Montana-inspired steak, trout, bison, and elk dishes.
Other favorite restaurants include:
- Fink’s Deli (lunch sandwiches)
- Bridger Brewing (pizza and beer)
- Shan (Thai/Chinese fusion)
- Pakeezah’s (Indian)
- Whistle Pig (Korean)
- Open Range (steak and cocktails)
Enjoy Your Trip to Bozeman!
I hope this list of top things to do in Bozeman gives you a good starting point in planning your trip to the Bozeman area and beyond. It truly is a one-of-a-kind town with welcoming people, a quaint charm, and inspiring natural beauty. I hope you fall in love with Bozeman the same way I did on my first trip! Happy Travels!
