The 8 Best Day Trips From Bozeman

These 8 day trips from Bozeman offer something for everyone. From picturesque outdoor vistas to (small) city breaks, I’m pretty confident that at least one of these day trips will fit your travel needs. At least, this is the list I choose from whenever people visit!

1. Livingston, Gardiner, Paradise Valley, & Yellowstone

This is the first drive on my list whenever people visit. It’s such a crowd pleaser because it has a bit of everything: sparkling rivers, giant mountains, small towns, country bars, hot springs, and wildlife. So whether you’re traveling with outdoor lovers or foodies, there’s something for everyone.

Stop in Livingston and walk around the downtown area for picturesque views of jagged peaks sitting behind rows of shops and restaurants in old western-style buildings. If you’re looking for fun places to eat, I love Faye’s Cafe for breakfast, Tru North Cafe for lunch, or Neptune’s Taphouse for dinner. Katabatic Brewing is a nice place to grab a beer.

In Paradise Valley, you’ll come across some of the most stunning vistas I’ve ever seen. Tall mountains sit above swaths of wide rivers, and it’s not uncommon to see Bald Eagles sitting in the cottonwood trees that line the banks. Stop at the Old Saloon for a drink and to stare in awe at all the taxidermy on the walls (there’s over 20 different animals). Hit Chico Hot Springs or Yellowstone Hot Springs for a soak. Chico has a bar and serves alcohol, while Yellowstone Hot Springs does not. However, the view of the mountains from Yellowstone is my favorite!

You’ll drive through the small town of Gardiner, then come to Yellowstone’s North entrance. If you want to see wildlife, go to Lamar Valley. That’s also the only part of the park open in the winter, and it’s amazing seeing bison covered in snow. In the spring, summer, and fall, you may come across bears, moose, coyotes, elk, and so much more. I love visiting Yellowstone in May and June – it’s practically empty compared to the summer months, and the baby bison are everywhere. The entire park is open, and I see bears and bear cubs almost every time I’ve gone during that time of year.

2. Butte, Anaconda, Philipsburg, & Georgetown Lake

If small towns and nature are your thing, head west to Butte and beyond! There’s lots to do in this area no matter the time of year. If you’re visiting in winter, get tickets to Discovery Ski Area (“Disco” for short) or go ice skating on the outdoor rink in Philipsburg (it’s cute with pretty mountain views!).

In the warmer months, camping at Georgetown Lake is a vibe. The campgrounds do get BUSY there, but the lake is so pretty! I did this last summer and it was definitely a highlight. Or simply spend the day there, boating, kayaking, and the like.

Another cool thing to do near Philipsburg is visiting the Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine. You get to look for your own sapphires, and you’re guaranteed at least one in each bucket! I found quite a few, and never actually did anything with them (you can pay to get them faceted and made into a piece of jewelry), but it was a really cool experience.

3. Gallatin Gateway & Big Sky

Drive through Gallatin Gateway to get to Big Sky for some seriously gorgeous views. Much of the drive is right next to the Gallatin River. Along the Gallatin, you’ll find some really popular hiking trails, like Lava Lake and Storm Castle. They’re the perfect places to pull over and stretch your legs. Because they’re so popular, they do get pretty crowded on summer weekends (or any weekend with warm weather, really). It’d be best to check them out on a weekday or winter weekend day (but be sure to pack some spikes – the trails get icy!).

If you visit in the winter, skiing at Big Sky is your next obvious activity. In the summer, the resort turns into a lift-operated bike park. Or, you can just ride the lift for some gorgeous views. Beehive Basin is close by, and a popular spot for backcountry skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. If you’re visiting in warmer weather, make sure you get there early or go on a weekday: parking fills up fast!

The town of Big Sky is worth checking out too, and has lots of cute shops and restaurants. Beehive Basin Brewery is popular, named after the nearby trail. In the summer, there’s free live music every Thursday from the end of June to the beginning of September.

4. West Yellowstone

Visit West Yellowstone to see, what else, Yellowstone National Park! Keep in mind that this entrance is closed to cars in the winter. However, it is open for guided snowmobile and snowcoach tours, so you can definitely still see the park that way! I’ve personally done the snowcoach tour and it was a beautiful way to see the park in the winter. Plus, you don’t have to deal with winter driving or the large crowds that visit in the summer; win-win!

Coming through the West Entrance is better than the North Entrance if you’re looking for geysers, as that’s where you’ll find the majority of them. In general, if you want to see wildlife, head to Lamar Valley through the North Entrance. If you want to see geysers, go through the West Entrance.

While you’re in the area, check out the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. You’re not guaranteed seeing animals in Yellowstone, and the ones that you do see will probably be pretty far away (other than bison, of course – they’re everywhere!). If you want to see animals up close, the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center houses wolves, bears, river otters, eagles, and more that can’t be released back into the wild due to injury or food conditioning.

Tickets are pretty cheap, and I love that they’re not-for-profit. All the animals looked pretty content and well taken care of, and there are naturalists walking around to answer questions and give talks. There’s also a huge museum with lots of information on Yellowstone and its wildlife. I really enjoyed my visit there!

On your way back, stop at Norris Hot Springs for a nice soak. Their food is really good, and they serve drinks too!

5. Hyalite Reservoir & Canyon

If you want to stick close to Bozeman and experience some of the best scenery the region has to offer, head straight to Hyalite. While it’s just 15 minutes south of town, you can easily spend an entire day (if not more) exploring Hyalite. The drive there is beautiful! It parallels Hyalite Creek, which winds beneath towering canyon walls covered in conifers and, in late spring and summer, swaths of wildflowers.

Quick note: Be careful if you’re visiting in winter, as the road can be a bit windy. Just drive slow (a vehicle with 4WD and high clearance is best), and you should be fine.

There’s always something cool to do, no matter the season. In the winter, sign up for a guided ice climbing trip with Montana Alpine Guides. Hyalite Canyon is world renowned for its ice climbing, and has some amazing routes for beginners and experts alike. Climbing a little too extreme? The frozen waterfalls are still gorgeous to look at! Popular hikes include Palisade Falls and Grotto Falls.

In the spring, the road actually closes for a month and you can bike up to the reservoir without worrying about cars zooming past you. I did it last year, and it was so fun! I think it’ll be an annual tradition from now on.

There are tons of hiking trails to choose from in the warmer months! Palisade Falls is a very popular, extremely short, and very accessible hike (it’s paved the whole way up). Grotto Falls is another good one. And if you want something a little longer, Blackmore Lake to Mount Blackmore, Hyalite Lake, and Emerald Lake and Heather Lake are really nice hikes.

Go kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, canoeing, or swimming in the reservoir. There’s lots of rock climbing in the area too. Plus, the foliage is beautiful in the fall – there are quite a few aspen groves you’ll see just on the drive up to the reservoir. Or, you’ll be treated to tons of wildflowers in the late spring and summer. Fireweed, one of my favorites, is everywhere!

6. Helena

Craving a bit of a city day? Head north to Helena, the state’s capital! There’s lots to do in this city, whether you want to get outside or just explore the downtown area. Here are some fun things to do in Helena:

• Hike or bike around Mount Helena State Park.
• Walk around downtown (and don’t forget to download the walking app).
• Visiting in winter? Ski or snowboard at Great Divide!
• Ice skate, fish, and recreate at Canyon Ferry Reservoir.
• Head to a museum, like the Holter Art Museum, ExplorationWorks, or the Historical Society Museum.
• Soak at Broadwater Hot Springs.

7. Bannack Ghost Town

Bannack State Park is the largest and most well preserved ghost town in Montana! It’s pretty easy to spend all day there, walking the main street and thinking about what life was like back in the good ‘ol days. Most of the buildings are open to the public, so you can actually walk around inside and check out the old furniture and peeling paint. Make sure you also walk up the hill to the cemetery for amazing views of the town!

From Memorial to Labor Day, you can even join a tour. Every July, there’s an event called “Bannack Days”, with lots of fun activities like gold panning, candle making, carriage rides, and more. Bring a hat as there isn’t much shade!

Bannack is still open in the winter, and it’s honestly pretty magical to see it covered in snow. You can even go ice skating on one of the ponds in the winter, and they have ice skates you can borrow.

8. Red Lodge

Red Lodge is probably the furthest place on this list, but if you can swing it, it’s definitely worth a visit. First off, the town itself is adorable. Definitely head to the only brewery in town, Red Lodge Ales, for good beer and good food. PREROGATIvE Kitchen has a creative menu and cool space. Cattail Bakery is the place for food and coffee in the morning.

Most people head to Red Lodge to get outside. In the winter, head to Red Lodge Mountain to ski, or the outdoor ice rink downtown. In the summer, you can pretty much do any outdoor activity–from fly fishing, to hiking, to mountain biking. It’s also a popular spot to rent and drive ATVs. The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is also definitely worth a visit!

Montana is full of beautiful natural areas and quaint, small towns, and you honestly can’t go wrong no matter which of these day trips from Bozeman you choose. They’re all amazing in their own way–each is guaranteed to make for an excellent day out!