Best Things To Do in Bozeman, Montana

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THINGS TO DO

Bozeman is a town that offers a lot to those who love the outdoors and those who love to visit places for their cultural appeal. Tourist spots in this town can be broadly divided into cultural and outdoor categories. Most of the visitors here love to spend time outdoors, exploring the wilderness of the forests around Bozeman. Those into adventures and sports are also spoilt for choice when here.

The primary outdoor activities in Bozeman is divided on the basis of seasons. Summer sees activities like hiking, fishing, mountain biking and riding. Bozeman’s proximity to the Yellowstone National Park has blessed it with abundant forests and wildlife. All of this starts coming alive by spring and assumes full bloom in the summer months. One of the best kept secrets in town is the majestic Palisade Falls that gushes into the forests to the south of Bozeman.

Animal lovers visiting Bozeman must pay a visit to the Montana Grizzly Encounter for an up-close interaction with grizzly bears. Fishing experts will want to know that the Gallatin River running close to town is full of trout and browns in the summer. Designated spots along the river are open for fishing, sometimes all year long. Gallatin River is also famous thanks to whitewater rafting. Portions of the river weave through a very rocky land and rafters are often seen working their way downriver here.

Winter activities in Bozeman mostly focus on skiing. There are hot springs near town where you can go to relax and stay warm in the unforgiving winter. Ski in the historic Bridger Bowl Ski Area on the eastern slope of the Bridger Mountain Range. Nordic Skiing is available at the Bohart Ranch. Both these establishments offer tracks for various levels of expertise in the respective sports. Christmas is also a huge celebration in this snowy town. Ride a sleigh along with your children and enjoy in the snow.

Museums are found in plenty in Bozeman. There is a museum dedicated to the history of communications, computers and artificial intelligence. Museum of the Rockies deals with the natural history of the area along with pre-historic history of the country. Other museums include Children’s Museum of Bozeman, Gallatin Museum and public buildings like the Bozeman Public Library. The Emerson Cultural Centre is a great way to learn about the artistic development in town.

Things to do in Bozeman at night: Bozeman being a college town, there are plenty of party hubs and bars in the downtown area. You can watch sports matches at these watering holes. Check out the Bozeman Spirits Distillery for a strong pint in the evening. Catch a performance at the Ellen Theatre. For an unusual adventure, camp at the Gallatin Canyon campground for a night under the stars.

Below we have a list of things to do in Bozeman and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Bozeman getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Bozeman with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Bozeman

Here is the list of things to do in Bozeman and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Downtown Bozeman

    4.5 (214 Votes)
    Downtown Bozeman

    Neighborhoods

    Downtown Bozeman is an area full of recreational and relaxing opportunities. It is the main business hub in town. The prestigious Montana State University is in downtown Bozeman. The Sweet Pea Festival is held here every summer. The area also serves as the home of the world-famous Museum of the Rockies. In fact, most of the museums in Bozeman are located in the downtown area. You can spend a co...Read more
  2. Montana Grizzly Encounter

    4.6 (261 Votes)
    Montana Grizzly Encounter

    Wildlife Park

    Montana Grizzly Encounter is the place to be if you want to see grizzly bears up close. The Encounter looks after the welfare of grizzly bears in a completely natural environment. Currently, there are five grizzly bears under the protection of the organisation. These bears have been rescued from captivity and given a chance to live a better life. Visitors can interact with the bears in their na...Read more
  3. Palisade Falls

    4.7 (63 Votes)
    Palisade Falls

    Picnic Spot

    Head out of Bozeman and take the trail to discover the gorgeous beauty of Palisade Falls. Begin at the Palisade Falls Picnic Area parking lot. The trailhead is marked right here. Families can even picnic right here; there are plenty of picnic tables at the trailhead where you can relax or power up for the hike. The main hike is pretty simple and not exhausting. Hike for around a mile and you wi...Read more
  4. Bridger Bowl Ski Area

    4.8 (152 Votes)
    Bridger Bowl Ski Area

    Skiing

    Heading to Bozeman in winter? Pack your skis along with you and visit the Bridger Bowl Skiing Area in the east side of the Bridger Mountain Range. Started in 1955, this is the oldest skiing arena near Bozeman. It also offers training for first-time skiers. There are skiing areas designated for various levels of expertise in skiing. In all, there are around six such areas where you can ski depen...Read more
  5. Gallatin Canyon

    5 (39 Votes)
    Gallatin Canyon

    Canyon

    Spend a few days in the thick wilderness of Gallatin Canyon. The canyon is known for its campgrounds and the number of outdoor activities that are available in the nearby areas. The waters of the Gallatin Canyon are breeding grounds for trout. Throw your fishing pole in the waters and catch some of the freshest fish. Both fly and boat fishing are possible near the canyon. Kayaking and whitewate...Read more
  6. Gallatin River

    4.9 (142 Votes)
    Gallatin River

    View Point, River

    If you love water sports, Gallatin River is the destination you must head to on a vacation in Bozeman. The water body winds through some of the most scenic locations in the Gallatin National Forest. Its beauty has often been captured in Hollywood movies. One of the most popular spots along the river is the Gallatin Canyon. The river is extremely popular destination for fly-fishing and whitewate...Read more
  7. Gallatin History Museum

    4.7 (25 Votes)
    Gallatin History Museum

    Museum, History Museum

    The Gallatin History Museum is located in the building that once served as the Gallatin Country Jail. The structure was built in 1911 and is mentioned on the list of National Historic places. The museum here is maintained by the Gallatin Historical Society. You will not find typical museum-like exhibits here. The jail cells and gallows are the most important exhibits here. Most of the objects i...Read more
  8. Bozeman Public Library

    4.7 (53 Votes)
    Bozeman Public Library

    Library

    One of the landmarks in this charming town is the Bozeman Public Library. It was started in 1891, though not in this location. The current building was put into use as a location for the library in the year 2006. It was developed into one of the most environmentally-sound buildings in the city. The green cover around the building helps to maintain a peaceful atmosphere inside the building. A co...Read more
  9. Bohart Ranch

    4.3 (9 Votes)
    Bohart Ranch

    Trail, Skiing

    Head to the Bohart Ranch 16 miles east of Bozeman if you are in town in winter season. This ranch is the most famous location for Nordic skiing. There are around 30 kilometres of trails in the forests near the ranch that are used as tracks by skiers. All levels of skiing skills can hit the trails. Equipment is available for rent at the ranch. Beginners are also offered training in Nordic Skiing...Read more
  10. Gallatin County Regional Park

    Park

    Want to spend an evening relaxing with your family in Bozeman? You need to head to the Gallatin County Regional Park. The public recreation ground was developed keeping in mind the need for open spaces in Bozeman. It serves as one of the best family spots in the city. There are two beautiful lakes in the middle of the park that add to the beauty in the greenery. There are football and volleybal...Read more
  11. Grotto Falls Trail

    Trail

    Grotto Falls Trail is one of the popular outdoor hikes in Bozeman. It is mainly used for hiking and mountain biking. The trailhead is located at the parking lot at the end of the Hyalite Creek Road. All along the trail, there are rustic log benches where visitors and hikers can relax. This trail is not very difficult and can be accessed by wheelchair-bound people as well. It extends way past th...Read more
  12. Glen Lake Rotary Park

    4.5 (6 Votes)
    Glen Lake Rotary Park

    Park, Fishing

    Citizens and visitors in Bozeman are often seen heading to the Glen Lake Rotary Park to the north of I-90 in the hot summer months. The main reason for the popularity of the place is the artificial beach created here. It is also supplemented with paddle boarding and beach volleyball. Swimming is allowed in the lake. Fishing is a popular activity at the Cherry River. You can hike for a bit ...Read more
  13. Middle Cottonwood Trail

    4.5 (5 Votes)
    Middle Cottonwood Trail

    Trail

    One of the hiking trails close to Bozeman is the Middle Cottonwood Trailhead. This is one of the high-difficulty hiking trails near town. Wildflowers are a common occurrence in the spring and summer months here. You will often see dogs hiking along the route with their owners. The route is parallel to the Middle Cottonwood Creek. It ends at the summit of the Saddle Peak. Most of the climb towar...Read more
  14. Gallatin Valley Mall

    4 (4 Votes)
    Gallatin Valley Mall

    Leisure, Mall, Shopping Center

    Once done with the rustic activities of Bozeman, spend some time at the Gallatin Valley Mall. This is a one-stop destination for the shopaholics in Bozeman. The mall houses brands like Jo-Ann, Barnes & Noble, Sears, Petco, Hot Topic, Pink, etc. Amusement avenues like Zoofari and Crazy Jumpers are present here too. There are plenty of restaurants where you can enjoy a decent meal. Pamper you...Read more
  15. Andesite Mountain

    View Point, Skiing

    Andesite Mountain is the location of the Big Sky Skiing Resort. The resort was started in 1973 and is one of the largest skiing arenas in the country. The plentiful snowfall in this area also makes Andesite Mountain a popular skiing destination in Montana. Skiing and snowboarding are the most popular activities in the resort. There are seven terrain parks on this mountain, so there is plenty of...Read more

Bozeman
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  • Are there snowmobile rentals, or tours with a guide for a day/1/2 day.

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    • Snowmobile rentals are available at several locations in Bozeman. Rental prices for a day 8 am – 6 pm can range from $99.00 to $227.00 per day.

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  • sleigh rides where and when we are traveling from feb 19 to 25

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  • How dangerous is the bear situation in April?

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  • What is snow like in April?

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  • Can I bring my mother with me to Bozeman? I'm traveling in July this year?

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    • Sure, why not! Bozeman is a lovely city and offers a number of family-friendly things to do and places to visit. I am sure you will enjoy exploring Bozeman with your mother. 

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