Southwest Montana

Cowboys, college kids, the ultra-wealthy, and the family caravan – all characters you’re likely to see on a visit to Bozeman. Originally a small ranching community, Bozeman continues to evolve and is now the central hub for visitors to Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky Resort and an expanding Montana State University. The combination of youth and retirees, city and country dwellers, and longtime residents alongside vacation homeowners has created a diverse destination rarely seen today. A stroll down Main will show you saloons that have stood for decades along with shops featuring upscale clothing and art. You’ll bump into wranglers and Stetsons, engineering students letting off steam, and travelers looking to flee their big city life for a week or so. The reason for each visit varies, but it’s easy to see how Bozeman’s tourism industry continues to grow and adapt to an ever increasing visitor population.

Western Montana in general boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery and incredible outdoor experiences in the lower 48. Bozeman serves as home base for many planning to spend their trip in the great outdoors. Evidenced by the numerous fly shops that dot the town, trout fishing is a huge draw here. The Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone rivers all carry the blue ribbon designation for their water quality, public accessibility, native trout population and ability to handle fishing pressure. Serious anglers from all over the country put a float down one of these Montana legends as a fly fishing bucket list can’t miss. Very fortunate fishermen can land one of only a few yearly permits for a five-day float down the Smith River. During the 60-mile float, it’s rare to see another outfit giving visitors a truly alone-in-the-wild experience.

While summer brings outdoor hikers, bikers, fishermen and adventure seekers, winter brings visitors looking for light fluffy powder, steep terrain and an incredible ski experience. Locals take the 30-minute drive to Bridger Bowl ski area, famous for soft snow as well as some of the most challenging terrain around. Back country skiers hike to the very top for untouched powder and the thrill of leaping off cliffs and ledges. There are also miles of cross-country skiing as well as snowshoeing trails. The more famous mountain, Big Sky, sits about an hour south of Bozeman and boasts one of the largest skiable mountains in North America. This is a true western resort experience with dozens of dining and on-mountain lodging options. The gathering area seems more like a small downtown than a ski chalet. It would be a challenge to hit every run if you had a week, and if you aren’t a big fan of chairlifts, there is a run that’s six miles long that will take you plenty of time to traverse. Multi-million dollar homes are common throughout the area. Plans were laid to create a private ski mountain called The Yellowstone Club that encompassed nearby Moonlight Basin. However, the dream didn’t come to fruition and in 2013, Moonlight became part of Big Sky Resort, creating over 7,600 acres of skiable terrain.

A melting pot of Old West and modern is what you’ll find on your visit to the greater Bozeman area. Luxurious options abound alongside beat up farm trucks. A passion for the outdoors is what drives visitors here and keeps locals from ever leaving the area. Big Sky country is a term not easily described until you’ve experienced it firsthand. Western Montana is the playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Even if you’re not the mountaineering type, you can experience all the beauty of this region through the window of your car or a short stroll off the beaten path.

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