Fun Things to Do in Bozeman, Montana
Updated: Apr 23
There are so many things to do in Bozeman, Montana, that you’ll want to check out while there on your trip.
This summer, one of my best friends decided to have her bachelorette party in Bozeman, Montana. I have to say; it ended up being the perfect spot for the fun girls’ getaway! We spent four days in Bozeman and got to check out so many of the cool things to do while there.
Jump to...
Visit the Museum of the Rockies
Take a Float Trip on the Madison River
Take a Day Trip to Yellowstone National Park
Bozeman is a really fun city and made for the best jumping-off point for our Yellowstone to Glacier National Park road trip where we got to visit two more incredible national parks – Grant Teton and Glacier! Southwest now flies into Bozeman which made it the perfect middle point with cheap flights available.
If you want to stay somewhere super cute and perfect for a girl’s trip, you should stay at RSVP Hotel (the photo above is from there). It is adorable, retro, and has an excellent location!
Enjoy Downtown Bozeman
Downtown Bozeman is not only quaint and full of fun shops but has some great food and bars to try as well! There are so many options for places to check out while there. Below are a few of my favorites:
Food
Blackbird – excellent pizza and salads
The Farmer’s Daughter – great brunch spot
Revelry – great vibe and delicious variety of food
Ted’s Montana Grill – go to for burgers and steaks
Bars
The Crystal Bar – dive bar and juke box
Rockin R Bar – top 40, dj on weekends
Happy Box – Karaoke rooms
The Zebra – live local music with a cover
Shops
Whiskey & Lace Clothing Boutique
Head West
HeyDay
Visit the Museum of the Rockies
The Museum of the Rockies is home to the largest collection of dinosaur remains in the United States. If you’re a dinosaur lover, you will want to check out this museum for the day.
Daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. through December 31, 2021 Daily, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. starting January 2, 2022
Adult tickets are $16.50, children $10.50
The museum is open year-round except for five days. It’s closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day, and October 12 and 13, 2022. The museum closes early on Christmas Eve Day. Days that the museum is open and our hours of operation are subject to change throughout the year.
Take a Float Trip on the Madison River
Madison River Tubing offers float trips, river rafting, and stand-up paddleboard rentals in Bozeman, Montana. One of their trips is a great way to take in some stunning views and enjoy an afternoon! I’d highly recommend doing this for a day while in Bozeman if the weather allows.
We were allowed to bring our own drinks and snacks. We rented a cooler along with a speaker from them for even more fun on our trip! The water is frigid even in summer, so definitely pick the right day to do this. Wear good shoes you can put in the water and plenty of sunscreen.
Each tube costs $30 on weekends, $25 on weekdays. If you want a ride or transfer from Bozeman, you’ll need to pay extra; we chose to drive ourselves and meet them at the drop-off point. Raft trips and SUP rentals vary depending on the trip length.
Go Fly Fishing
There are several places near Bozeman to go fly fishing. From the Madison River to the Gallatin River, to the Yellowstone River, and every small stream in between, the list is endless. If you’ve been fly fishing before and have the equipment, the choice becomes a little easier because you can go to multiple spots or quickly get started on your own.
If you’ve never been before, it’s worth hiring a guide or someone who can take you out to do some fly fishing to show you the ropes. As a kid, I went fly fishing a few times with my dad, and it takes some getting used to! Some places offer equipment only rentals as well if you want to head out on your own!
Take a Day Trip to Yellowstone National Park
Bozeman is the closest city in Montana to Yellowstone National Park. It is 80 miles from the north entrance making Yellowstone an obvious and popular day trip from Bozeman. Yellowstone is known as one of the best National Parks in the US, and for good reason. Your day will be filled with incredible places if you make this day trip! I would highly recommend going if it’s the only thing you do outside of town.
Highlights for a Yellowstone Day Trip:
Lamar Valley (this is where you will see the most wildlife)
Waterfalls all over the park
Grand Prismatic Spring
Old Faithful
Mammoth Hot Springs
Visit Fairy Lake
Fairy Lake is a gorgeous glacial lake. It’s safe for swimming and offers a peaceful environment for relaxing. It’s probably the most scenic swimming spot you’ll find in Montana (or so I’ve heard!). If you can find it and you’re feeling brave, the small rope swing on the south end of the lake will drop you right into the water with a splash. There’s plenty of places to hike around the lake as well and take in the views!
It’s about 28 miles from Bozeman and makes a great day trip.
Bozeman Hot Springs
Bozeman Hot Springs is located 8 miles west of Bozeman on US 191 to or from Big Sky and West Yellowstone. They have 12 different pools offering a great chance to relax after a long day of hiking, snowshoeing, or sightseeing for the day. You’re allowed to bring outside food, but they don’t allow alcohol on site.
Photo by David Dibert on Pexels.com
Big Sky
Probably most popular when visiting Bozeman in winter, but Big Sky offers year-round activities just about an hour outside of the city. Below are some things to do in summer and winter! Here’s a link to find these activities.
Summer
Go hiking
Play golf
Horseback riding
Mountain biking
Ziplining
White water rafting
Winter
Cross country skiing
Dog sledding
Ice skating
Skiing and snowboarding
Sleigh rides
Snow mobiling
Many of the above are found at Big Sky Resort (an average of $304.75 a day for a ski lift ticket).
Gallatin River Canyon
Near Big Sky is Gallatin River Canyon. The Gallatin River cuts through this deep canyon as it winds its way North from Yellowstone to Bozeman. Drive along US-191 as it follows the river for stunning views, hiking trails, whitewater rafting, camping, and dynamite trout fishing. You’ll find a ton of outdoor activities and stunning views here!
There are so many great things to do in Bozeman, Montana. No matter what time of year you decide to go, this is a perfect place to enjoy the beauty of Montana. With so many national parks like Yellowstone and Grant Teton nearby, everyone needs to make a stop in Bozeman, MT!
