Just an hour and a half away from Yellowstone National Park, this Montana town is known for its dramatic mountain landscape, outdoor adventuring, history, and more.
By Susie Wall
July 2023
Surrounded by some of Montana’s most stunning landscapes, the small town of Bozeman sits amid the sprawling Gallatin Valley and attracts its fair share of celebrities and millionaires looking to play cowboy. Visitors to Bozeman will find a laid-back vibe among welcoming locals and mountains of adventures, whether you’re settling in Bozeman for a stretch or are simply on your way to (or from) Yellowstone National Park.
HISTORY ABOUNDS
Bozeman and the surrounding area are rich with historical significance. Well before white settlers found their way into the mountains of the Gallatin Valley, numerous Native American tribes hunted here and took advantage of the many rivers and abundant wildlife. In 1805, Lewis and Clark came upon the headwaters of the Missouri River just west of Bozeman. The discovery of gold in the 1860s then led a throng of settlers to the area, including the town’s namesake, John Bozeman, who rode in along what is now known as the Bozeman Trail.
While visiting Bozeman, history buffs will discover many ways to immerse themselves in the past. A stop at the Gallatin History Museum — located on West Main Street — is a great place to start. Housed in a former jail, the museum hosts many exhibits related to the history of the area and provides a fascinating look into Montana’s territorial justice.
While you’re there, grab maps of Bozeman’s historic downtown and neighborhoods to set out on your own self-guided tours. If you can’t get enough of Bozeman’s history, head over to Sunset Hills Cemetery, located just south of lovely Lindley Park. Gravesites dating back to the 1870s provide a glimpse into Bozeman’s past, from the unfortunate souls buried in the County Poor Farm to stones adorned with Chinese inscriptions, reflecting the diversity of the area during the settlement period, and to the resting place of John Bozeman himself.
The Siebel Dinosaur Complex at the Museum of the Rockies contains a mounted Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.
DINOSAURS GALORE AND MORE
It’s tough to be indoors in Bozeman, but the Museum of the Rockies makes spending several hours inside well worth it. Boasting one of the most extensive fossil collections in the world, many found in eastern Montana, the museum also has a wealth of exhibits related to Montana history, including a living history farm.
Plan to spend a few hours exploring the Siebel Dinosaur Complex. You will see Montana’s own Tyrannosaurus rex, one of only a few mounted T. rex skeletons in the United States, as well as the bones of Big Al the Allosaurus. You can also watch the museum’s resident paleontologists at work in the lab tending to any recently discovered fossils. Visitors also can explore the cosmos at the museum’s Taylor Planetarium.
Fast forward millions of years with a visit to the delightful American Computer and Robotics Museum. Located in an unassuming office park, the museum was once described as “Inch for inch, the best museum in the world” by Harvard scientist Dr. Edward O. Wilson. A passionate and knowledgeable guide will lead you on a brief tour to explain the various exhibits. Then you’re free to roam about the museum as you wish. This museum has something for everyone. Displays include everything from a reproduction of the Gutenberg printing press to an Apple-1 computer signed by Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak. Learn how the science of cryptography and the cracking of the Enigma machine code helped the allies to win World War II, and then then take your picture with the life-sized Robby the Robot.
Keep the little ones learning and engaged with a visit to the Montana Science Center, where hands-on exhibits and activities inspire creativity and imagination. Ongoing programs and events guide kids through a science lesson, or just walk in to visit the many fun and educational exhibits where kids can dig for fossils, build skyscrapers, and learn about Montana’s native animals.
Grizzly bears are often seen in western Montana, including Yellowstone.
To witness one of the state’s most famous and feared native creatures, take a 12-mile drive east of the main part of town on Interstate 90 to visit the Montana Grizzly Encounter. This grizzly bear rescue center has been taking in bears that either have been orphaned in the wild or raised in deplorable captive conditions and gives them a chance to roam and play in a more natural environment, complete with ponds to splash in, boulders to peek under, and trees to scratch on. The center is currently home to four bears that take turns roaming in the public viewing area while a staff member tells each bear’s story and explains the efforts the center takes to provide them a comfortable home. Be sure to have your camera ready as giant residents bound over the rise toward an awestruck crowd.
STRETCH YOUR LEGS
Outdoor adventures in Bozeman cater to both the casual hiker and the extreme sports enthusiast. Lace up your hiking boots to explore the many trails in and around town. Options include the short and intense hike to the collegiate “M” rock creation on the ridgeline of Bridger Canyon overlooking town and the six leg-busting miles to and from Pioneer Falls.
An abundance of activities await in Hyalite Canyon, a stunning natural recreation area only 15 minutes from city center. Swim and boat in snow-fed mountain lakes, discover numerous waterfalls, or simply enjoy the scenic drive along Hyalite Creek while stopping for short walks periodically. For those looking for a real adventure, a climb up to the top of 10,000-foot-plus Hyalite Peak affords a 360-degree view of the stunning Gallatin Valley.
Combine exercise and artwork by taking a stroll along the Bozeman Sculpture Park located in picturesque downtown. A paved trail winds past sculptures and art installations. Some move with the breeze; others form unique patterns as the sun’s rays bounce off them.
Palisade Falls is located south of Bozeman in the Hyalite Recreation Area.
FLOATING AND SOAKING
Bozeman is surrounded by world-famous rivers offering a wealth of opportunities to play in and around the water. Whether you wish to hire a guide to fish for monster trout in the cool waters or to shoot down white-knuckle rapids on a guided rafting trip, Bozeman is ready for you.
One of the best ways to get your feet wet is to sign up for a tube trip down the Madison River. A reservation with Madison River Tubing will get you a seat on the shuttle, a lifejacket, and a deluxe tube that’s comfier than most recliners. After you put in upstream, the lazy current floats you down the river where the shuttle awaits to take you back to Bozeman. As you kick back in your tube, be sure to keep an eye out for eagles and ospreys soaring above and deer and elk along the banks.
To seek even more relaxation in the water, head over to Bozeman Hot Springs, located 8 miles west of town. Choose from 12 pools with temperatures ranging from 59 to 106 degrees. Kids can swim in the big indoor pool while adults watch from the bordering small hot tubs. The four pools outside allow for some serious soaking under the big sky. The adjacent campground is a bonus, so you never have to leave.
BEYOND BOZEMAN
Yellowstone National Park is the biggest draw outside of Bozeman, but many other fascinating and less-visited places also await exploration outside of town. Madison Buffalo Jump State Park lies 32 miles northwest of Bozeman. Native Americans drove buffalo herds off this precipitous cliff for 2,000 years as a way to hunt these large beasts. Visitors can hike the mile up to the cliff edge to bring forth visions of this spectacle. Interpretive signs along the way explain the hunters’ strategies, as well as archaeologists’ efforts to learn more about the historical significance of this land. Keep in mind that the last few miles of road to the park’s entrance entail a bumpy gravel ride.
Continue a few miles past the turnoff to the buffalo jump to find yourself at Missouri Headwaters State Park. The historical and geographic significance of this 532-acre park is astounding. This is where the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers meet to form the mighty Missouri River. It’s also here that Lewis and Clark met up with the Missouri River on their famous trek to the Pacific Ocean. Numerous opportunities to hike, fish, and boat are found in the park. Campsites are available to help you create your own re-enactment of the Corps of Discovery.
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff, a casual explorer, or all three in one, Bozeman bids you a warm welcome and the promise of adventure.
MORE INFO
Visit Bozeman
www.visitbozeman.com
CAMPGROUNDS
Bear Canyon Campground
4000 Bozeman Trail Road
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 587-1575
bearcanyoncampground.com
Bozeman Hot Springs Campground & RV Park
150 Welcome Drive
Bozeman, MT 59718
(888) 651-5802
bozemanhotsprings.co/bozeman-campground
Hyalite Canyon Campgrounds
www.hyalite.org/camping
Missouri Headwaters Campground
1585 Trident Road
Three Forks, MT 59752
(406) 285-3610
montanastateparks.reserveamerica.com
Starry Night Lodging & RV
31842 Frontage Road
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 587-4797
starrynightlodging.com/starry-night-rv-bozeman-mt-yellowstone