Downtown Bozeman
At the cultural hub of Bozeman is its historic downtown district, located blocks from the MSU campus and is set among the beautiful residential neighborhoods displaying Victorian homes and architecturally-significant commercial and retail buildings.

Bozeman lies in one of the fastest growing areas of Montana. Lying in the beautiful Gallatin Valley, Bozeman has been attracting numerous new residents over the past two decades. People are drawn to Bozeman primarily by its location in this very scenic area of Montana.

The towns location near three major ski areas and its proximity to Yellowstone National Park have combined to make Bozeman a gateway for people moving to Montana. Additionally, Bozeman was also one of the first areas of the state to have a mass of summer homes and trophy homes built in the area.

Of course, Bozeman is much more than summer and trophy homes. Bozeman boasts small town ambience while providing larger city selection and opportunity. Whether you’re a fly-fisherman looking for an outfitter, an art critic looking for some great art galleries, shopping for clothes or just in the mood for sampling restaurants, downtown Bozeman is the place to be.

Fly Fishing
Though fishing in Montana can take on many tactics (such as spin-casting, trolling or the use of bait with the kids), no where in America is it more enjoyable than to try the “art of fly fishing” then when enjoying a vacation to our region. As the experts say, “once you try fly fishing, you’re hooked for life”.

The Madison River is considered by many to be Montana’s most outstanding river. Why? One: it features superb dry fly fishing even for first-time novices. Two: it has very high trout density per mile. Three: it offers consistent fishing action. And four: it presents some of the most picturesque scenery imaginable.

Dreaming of fly fishing trips? Fishing for rainbows and browns in pristine river waters and breathtaking surroundings? Save this dream for something else, because this particular fly fishing paradise exists right now, and it is called the Gallatin River.

Gallatin Mountains
Gallatin National Forest is located in southwestern Montana and is comprised of 1.8 million acres. To the northern side of the Forest, in isolated blocks, are the Bridger and Crazy Mountains. On the western side are the Madison and Gallatin Mountains. And to the east are Absaroka and Beartooth Ranges. These are some of the most rugged mountains to be found in Montana. The spectacular views of these mountains have inspired mystical reverence in some and a sense of awe in all.

Gallatin National Forest
Location, of course, is everything and the Gallatin National Forest has certainly benefited from having Yellowstone National Park literally in its backyard. The forest encompasses 1.8 million acres in southwestern Montana and contains portions of the Lee Metcalf and Absaroka-Beartooth wilderness areas.

Gallatin River Canyon
The Gallatin River, located in southwestern Montana, is a beautiful western trout stream worthy of recognition. From its source in Yellowstone National Park, it flows for over 100 miles with hundreds of small creeks adding to its flow before reaching the Missouri River. During its journey the Gallatin passes through breathtaking canyons and open meadows.

Hyalite Canyon
The 34,000-acre Hyalite Drainage – part of the Gallatin National Forest – is a stunning mountain valley that sits between the Gallatin Canyon and Paradise Valley south of Bozeman, Montana.

Lewis & Clark
Lewis and Clark spent more time – and traveled more miles in what is now Montana – than any other state. And it’s in Montana that we find portions of the trail that are least changed. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Missouri Headwaters near the town of Three Forks.

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park
Montana’s first and best-known state park features one of the largest known limestone caverns in the nation. Naturally air conditioned, these spectacular caves, lined with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and helicitites, date back millions of years in their history.

Madison River Valley
The outdoor recreational opportunities and the relaxed mountain lifestyle are big reasons why many people love Montana. The Madison River Valley is one of Montana’s precious treasures. In the heart of the Madison River Valley lies a small and quaint town, Ennis, Montana.

Missouri Headwaters
Established where Lewis and Clark discovered the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers joining to form the Missouri River, Missouri Headwaters was a geographical focal point important to early Native Americans, trappers, traders, and settlers. Interpretive displays tell of the area’s cultural and natural history.

Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley extends from the Yellowstone gateway community of Gardiner at the south end to historic Livingston on the north end. Appropriately named, this region is a paradise to Montana and to the Rocky Mountains.

Spanish Peaks
The scenic community of Big Sky, Montana nestles high in mountain meadows, surrounded by timberland of the Spanish Peaks Primitive Area and the Gallatin National Forest. Located 40 miles southwest of Bozeman, Big Sky offers a year-round playground for the outdoor recreationist. The protected lands of wilderness are set aside for the people’s enjoyment and to preserve the natural ecosystem and its wildlife.

Summer Cabins
Log cabins are available for rent on the Gallatin National Forest. Built primarily in the 1920s and 1930s for use by early Forest Rangers, the cabins offer a chance to camp in the forest in a rustic old-time setting. Some of the cabins have electricity, all have either wood or electric stoves for cooking and heating, none have indoor plumbing. Some of the cabins are located right on a road; others require that you hike, ski, or snowmobile in to them.

Summer Camping
Surrounded by public lands, the Bozeman – Livingston – Gardiner corridor offers abundant camping potential in the heart of some of the best scenery and recreation in America! The Gallatin National Forest is home to many spectacular camping & cabin rental locations.

Virginia City
Virginia City was the birthplace of Montana and the cradle of much history for the state. Though it may be best known as the rough-and-ready mining camp where vigilantes organized to rid the country of road agents and murderers, it is important to our history for many other reasons as well.

Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is the nation’s largest national park in the lower 48 states including 2.2 million acres. This equals 3,472 square miles. You must be thinking, “How am I going to see all of this during my visit?” Well we have a solution to your problem. We have designed these pages to let you in on all the hot spots to visit and see.

Horseback Riding
Numerous outfitters, resorts and guest ranches offer horseback riding in the area surrounding Bozeman. Guided trail rides are the norm, though larger pack trips into the nearby mountains are also available.

Cattle drives offer guests the chance to trail cattle from pasture to pasture or from foothills to wintering grounds. These trips involve several days of riding horseback, camping out in the wilderness and eating meals from chuckwagons.

Golf
The two 18-hole public courses are Bridger Creek and Cottonwood Hills. Cottonwood also boasts a 9-hole executive course. Two private courses are available as well as nearby courses in Three Forks, Ennis and Big Sky.

River Running
From scenic pleasure floats in a raft or canoe to whitewater rafting and kayaking there are plenty of opportunities for all ages and skill levels in the rivers nearby Bozeman.

Museums
Take a day to explore Bozeman’s interesting array of museums. The Museum of the Rockies at Montana State University affords even the casual observer a chance to travel four billion years through the history of the northern Rockies.

Designed specifically for children of all ages and their families, the Children’s Museum allows visitors to blow giant bubbles, dress up like pioneers or create a picture on the Harmonograph.

The stories of computers and technology are displayed in a unique 4,000 year timeline at the American Computer Museum. Several exhibits display historical devices from ancient Babylon and Egyptian times through the rise of the modern computer.

The Pioneer Museum, housed in the former county jail, is designed to keep the citizens of Gallatin Valley and travelers in touch with the area’s colorful history.

Mountain Resorts

Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin
Experience the biggest skiing in America with the new Big Sky Moonlight Basin interconnected with the Lone Peak Pass. You can glide effortlessly between Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin for over 5,500 acres of uncrowded terrain. Wide-open groomed runs, powder filled bowls, glades and steep chutes are all accessible in this place all your own. Take the Lone Peak Tram to Big Sky’s summit for views of three states, two national parks, and countless mountain ranges.

When the ski day is over and it’s time for some relaxation, cuddle up in one of our 680 hotel rooms, suites, condominiums or cabins, most of which are slopeside. Wherever you stay, you’ll have access to outdoor heated pools and hot tubs, steam rooms and fitness centers. And speaking of relaxing, the Solace Spa at Big Sky cares for your most valuable assets, your body, mind and spirit.

Big Sky Resort is focused on families. From Snowsports School to nightly movies to Kids’ Club, there’s always something fun to do. Each day after the slopes close, the Kids’ Club is just getting started. Kids can join with others their age for games, marshmallow roasts, rescue dog demonstrations and more, all for free. And speaking of free, children 10 and under ski and stay free at Big Sky Resort, up to two per paying adult.

Big Sky also offers great shopping, dining, and nightlife. Over 32 restaurants and bars offer everything from sushi to wood-fired pizza to live poker. So join us at Big Sky Resort for family fun and Western hospitality.

Bridger Bowl
Bridger Bowl is a non-profit ski area offering an exceptional ski experience with over 2,000 vertical feet and 1,500 acres of lift accessed terrain. There is a full-service lodge located in the base area with rental shop, ski school, cafeteria, bar and restaurant. There is also a mid-mountain chalet with food and beverages. Our central reservations office has lodging rates and packages for on-mountain accommodations and motels in Bozeman.

Bozeman Hot Springs
Bozeman, Montana is located in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, consisting of 18 million acres. Yellowstone National Park holds the planet’s most diverse and intact collection of geothermal features, some 10,000 mudpots, fumaroles and hot springs and more than 200 active geysers. The state of Montana has 61 hot springs, with a dozen located in and around the Bozeman area. Bozeman Hot Springs, located 8 miles west of Bozeman, is a world famous natural hot springs offering one of the pleasing wonders that Mother Nature provides with a heavenly natural experience.

Bozeman Pass
Located about 13 miles east of Bozeman, Montana in the Gallatin County along Interstate 90 / U.S. 191 is Bozeman Pass. Like the city, this pass was named after John Bozeman, who in 1863 to 1866 brought prospectors and emigrants through it northward from the Platte Valley route of the California-Oregon Trail to the Montana gold mines and settlements.

Bridger Canyon
Bridger Canyon is a beautiful canyon leading to great opportunities of adventure in the Bridger Mountain Range of the Gallatin National Forest. The canyon is named after one of the great explorers of the early nineteenth century, Jim Bridger. Bridger scouted many of the trails and knew the mountains well. He was one of the first white men to explore the nation’s and the world’s first national park, Yellowstone.

Bridger Mountains
Bridger Mountains were named after one of the first white men to explore Yellowstone National Park, Jim Bridger. The explorer scouted many of the trails and knew the mountains well. At the age of 17, Jim Bridger was the youngest member of the Upper Missouri Expedition, the beginning of a long and colorful career in the mountains. Bridger rose to the status of the quintessential mountain man, guiding many through the area.

Buffalo Jump
An outstanding example of a natural feature that allowed Native Americans to stampede herds of bison over a precipice in order to secure the necessities of food, clothing, shelter, and tools. Interpretive displays help visitors understand the dramatic events that took place her for nearly 2,000 years.

Canyon Ferry Lake
Canyon Ferry Reservoir is about 50 miles downstream from where the Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson Rivers join to form the Missouri River. Located near Helena, Montana, this lake covers 35,181 surface acres and 76 shoreline miles. Due to its size and location, Canyon Ferry is very popular and receives the most use of any lake in the state.