If you like the outdoors, you’ll love Bozeman, Montana. Located only 80 miles north of Yellowstone, Bozeman is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers of all types. With plenty of national forests, mountains, and rivers, you’ll stay active with whitewater rafting, fly fishing, mountain climbing, hiking, skiing and other fun-filled activities.
So grab some sun screen (Bozeman receives only about 17 inches of rain a year, much less than the U.S. average of 38), fill your lungs with fresh air and enjoy some of Bozeman’s favorite pastimes, including:
Fly Fishing
Robert Redford put Bozeman on the map as a one of the best fly fishing destinations in the country. A River Runs Through It, a film that depicts the love of fly fishing, was filmed in the Bozeman and Livingston regions of Montana. Bozeman continues to draw fly anglers of all ages and experience with its crystal clear rivers, mountain streams and lakes all located within a short drive. If you’re looking to catch rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, arctic grayling and whitefish, pack your fly rod and head over to any of these fishing hotspots:
- East Gallatin River
- DePuy’s Spring Creek
- Yellowstone River – Mallard’s Rest
- Lower Madison River at the Beartrap Canyon
- Hyalite Reservoir
- Gallatin River at the Cameron Bridge
Montana State University
Montana State University city campus is set on a sprawling 1,780 acres, and was named the #1 public university in Montana by Forbes. MSU offers approximately 60 areas of academic study for undergraduate students and more than 40 master's programs, including engineering, education, and nursing.
Because MSU is the largest research university in Montana and the largest research and development entity in the state, it provides undergraduates with unique opportunities usually reserved for graduate students at other universities.
With 6 mountain ranges, 60 miles of bike trails and lanes, more than 100 area trails, and skiing, it’s no surprise that MSU was also named the best college for outdoor sports and recreation. And that’s not all sports lovers. The university sponsors thirteen teams including basketball, cross country, skiing, tennis, track and field, golf, volleyball and football. Go Bobcats!
Downtown
Downtown is the heart of Bozeman and with MSU smack in the middle, there’s definitely a collegiate vibe going on. However, there are also many cultural amenities to enjoy such as the symphony, opera, ballet, locally-owned shops, restaurants and art galleries. Take a leisurely stroll down Main, listen to the music and enjoy the flowers, browse the shelves for a favorite book at Country Bookstore, savor a cup-of-joe at one of the many trendy coffee shops, and sample Co-op Downtown’s expansive self-serve hot bar and salad bar for a bite to eat.
Skiing
Everybody knows that the Western United States boasts some of the best skiing, but did you know that Bozeman is ranked by Skiing Magazine as one of the top ten ski towns in the West? Bozeman’s access to trails and close proximity to world class skiing such as Bridger Bowl Ski Area and Big Sky Ski Resort have made Bozeman a premier skiing destination. View the majestic panorama, and you’ll see mountains everywhere which means there’s plenty of areas for backcountry and cross-country skiing alike.
Hiking
As you enter the Gallatin Valley, there’s no missing the giant letter M etched in the mountainside. First crafted by Montana State University students in 1915, the big white letter is somewhat of a tradition in the West where college students white wash rocks on sides of mountains as a symbol of solidarity.
This winding, 1.7 mile trail carves its way right to the collegiate symbol through fields of wildflowers culminating at the top with breathtaking views of Bozeman and the surrounding valley.
