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Home Page > Montana > Top Things To Do In Montana > Bozeman Montana |
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Bozeman Montana Area
Includes Bozeman Downtown Historic District, Museum of the Rockies, Bridger Canyon Scenic Drive, Gallatin Canyon, Big Sky Ski Resort, Madison Valley, Paradise Valley Scenic Drive, Livingston Historic District, Bridger Bowl Ski Area, Shields River Scenic Drive, Missouri Headwaters State Park, Hyalite Canyon Recreation Area
BOZEMAN, MONTANA Bozeman Montana is a charming, thriving community that is not only home to Montana State University "Bobcats", but is also regarded by many as one of the top places to live in the nation. Nestled in the ![]() The town of Bozeman itself is absolutely story book, which includes the wonderful Bozeman Downtown Historic District that offers charming coffee shops, great shopping, amazing restaurants and breweries for tourists to explore and enjoy. And there are many other great features throughout Bozeman that make this town very special, such as the nationally renowned Museum of the Rockies. Beyond Bozeman, in the surrounding area, are some of the most popular and remarkable outdoor recreational opportunities and tourist attractions found anywhere in the Rocky Mountains. ![]() Hikers on the "M" Trail, enjoying the view of the Gallatin Valley, where Bozeman is beautifully nestled. ![]() "The M" rests on the southern slope of the Bridger Range, and can be seen throughout Bozeman. ![]() Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on the Montana State University campus. Bozeman Montana is presently one of the fastest growing cities in the West, growing from 37,280 in 2010, to 45,250 people by 2016. This charming community is now the fourth largest "city" in the state of Montana due to this growth, and there are now over 97,304 people living in Gallatin County. And by the way, the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, which is one of the busiest airports in the state of Montana, makes Bozeman one of the main "entrance points" for tourists coming to Montana. ![]() The Bridger Range makes for a terrific backdrop throughout the Bozeman Area. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION ![]() ENDLESS OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Understandably, the outdoor recreational opportunities found in this magical area are seemingly endless, and Bozeman Montana rests in the middle of it all! World-class fly fishing, world-class, legendary skiing, world-class hiking and backpacking and world-class whitewater rafting are just a few of the countless outdoor activities that await you in the Bozeman Area. And combining all this with Bozeman being one of those "perfect" towns to spend time in, your Montana vacation really wouldn't be complete without visiting this remarkable place. It's no wonder Bozeman Montana was chosen by Outdoor Magazine in 2010 as "The Best Place To Live in the West for Skiing", and elected an All-American City by the National Civic League in 2001. With all of this being said, Bozeman Montana and the surrounding area is truly one of Montana's brightest gems. ![]() Spanish Peaks of the Madison Range are located just southwest of Bozeman Montana, and are one of six mountain ranges that surround this amazing town. By the way, there is some world-class hiking opportunities in the Spanish Peaks area that you will definitely want to check out if you love to hike! Gateway to Yellowstone National Park ![]() The West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park at West Yellowstone is located 90 miles south of Bozeman via U.S. Highway 191 down the fabled Gallatin River Canyon, and is one of the busiest entrances to the park. The North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park located at Gardiner, Montana is 78 miles to the southeast of Bozeman via U.S. Highway 89 down the legendary Paradise Valley, and is also an extremely busy entrance. Yellowstone Park is so very much connected to Bozeman Montana that Bozeman's airport is named "Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport", which really says it all. Colorful History: Bozeman Downtown Historic District Bozeman Montana has a rich and colorful history that includes William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition coming through the Bozeman Area in 1806 as he traveled east from the three forks of the ![]() Then in 1863, John Bozeman and John Jacobs opened up the Bozeman Trail, which was a new northern trail off of the Oregon Trail that led miners to the mining towns of Virginia City through the Gallatin Valley. The trail ran right through the middle of the future location of Bozeman. John Bozeman, Daniel Rouse and William Beall then founded the town of Bozeman one year later in 1863. The Bozeman Downtown Historic District contains many historic buildings that line this charming mainsteet, which are constant reminders of days gone by. Today these remarkable historic structures, such as the Hotel Baxter and the Ellen Theater create the setting, as fantastic coffee shops, gift shops, clothing stores, restaurants and much more are found throughout the downtown area... all of which makes Downtown Bozeman a great place to visit and explore. ![]() Bozeman Downtown Historic District is a great place to shop, dine and explore. Gallatin River Canyon ![]() With the many trailheads found along the highway that enter the massive national forests on both sides of U.S. Highway 191, the hiking and backpacking opportunities here are limitless. The Gallatin River itself is famous for fantastic whitewater rafting and kayaking, and the road to the legendary Big Sky Ski Resort is located midway down this canyon at the small town of Big Sky Montana. The fly fishing along the Gallatin River is world renowned, as this is one of the top blue ribbon trout streams in the country. Click Here for more details on the Gallatin River Canyon. Big Sky Ski Resort: "The Biggest Skiing in America" ![]() And not only is the skiing is undeniably amazing, the setting is like a perfect post card, with the magnificently picturesque Lone Mountain being the centerpiece of the entire area, and is the where the majority of the ski runs are located... and a tram takes skiers all the way to the summit of Lone Mountain, 11,166 feet above sea level. Without question, Big Sky Ski Resort is one of the top ski resorts in the nation, and is a huge Montana winter attraction. Click Here for details on Big Sky Ski Resort. Bridger Canyon Scenic Drive ![]() This wonderful back country paved road takes you northward along the long Bridger Range and then connects with the remarkable Shield River Valley Scenic Drive, which is another tremendously gorgeous scenic drive along U.S. 89 that takes you southward back to I-90 near Livingston Montana. This is a very popular loop for visitors in the mood for a wonderful backcountry drive through some of the most remarkable landscape in Montana. And if you like to hike, there is a forest service road to Fairy Lake, where there is a great campground near a gorgeous lake directly below the Bridger Range. This marks the trailhead that takes you on a short but steep hike to the top of the Bridger Range! Shields River Valley Scenic Drive ![]() You'll not only enjoy the views of the mountains, but there are wide open meadows with grazing cattle and horses, original ranch and farm houses and barns, and two terrific small towns (Wilsall an Clyde Park) that do not get more "Montana" that this. You'll even drive by an original pioneer church and cemetery at Sedan. From Bozeman, the most popular way to get to the Shields River Scenic Drive is to take State Highway 86 north from Bozeman along the Bridger Canyon Scenic Drive. This remarkable paved road hooks-up with U.S. Highway 89 in the Shields River Valley, where you can then drive south through the valley and connect with Interstate 90, which is just a few miles east of Livingston. Bridger Bowl Ski Area ![]() This classic Montana ski area has been providing outstanding downhill skiing opportunities since the 1950s, and one of the things that make Bridger Bowl Ski Area so attractive to the skiing purest is that it's all about the skiing. There is no "resort" here... just great ski runs. Known for its "cold smoke", Bridge Bowl is a fantastic skiing experience and is a local favorite. Bridger Bowl is one of the "gems" of the Bozeman Area, and if you love great downhill skiing without the "resort" feel, you'll love Bridger Bowl Hyalite Canyon ![]() There are also several fantastic trailheads that hikers can use to enter the breathtaking backcountry of the Gallatin Range, some being located directly adjacent to the reservoir such as the trail to Mount Blackmore. At the end of the road beyond the reservoir is a magical hike to amazing waterfalls such as Palisade Falls and Grotto Falls that is an extremely popular, easy hikes on a well-maintained trail. This trail eventually takes you up into the high country of the Gallatin Range near the Hyalite Peak Area. Madison River Valley ![]() But aside from the Madison River Valley's breathtaking scenery, the major attraction here is the world-class fly fishing, which is one of Montana's top attractions. And just over the hill from the charming tourist town of Ennis is Virginia City, which is the largest intact ghost town in the United States. Click Here for more details on the Madison River Valley. Paradise Valley ![]() And of course the fly fishing here is world-famous, as this section of the Yellowstone River is regarded as one of the top blue ribbon trout fisheries in the country. Click Here for more details on Paradise Valley. Livingston Historic District ![]() There are 17 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, many of them residing in Livingston's incredible Downtown District. So if you like amazing Montana history, with many of the original buildings still standing, check out Livingston Montana while you're in the Bozeman Area. And by the way, Livingston rests at the mouth of the world-famous Paradise Valley, which is an amazing scenic drive along U.S. Highway 89 as it takes visitors to the north entrance to Yellowstone Park. Click Here for more details on Livingston Montana Missouri Headwaters State Park ![]() This wonderful state park takes you back through time when this area was the main focal point during early day trappers, Native Americans, traders and settlers... and of course the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Interestingly, the Sacajawea was kidnapped here as a child, and eventually returned here as Lewis and Clark's guide during their famous expedition through Montana and beyond. Another member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition was John Colter, who came back to this location several times in search of furs... and his famous run known as "Colter's Run" happened near this location. In addition to the fascinating history of the Missouri River Headwaters, the Missouri Headwaters State Park also preserves much of the area's plentiful wildlife, lush vegetation and the astounding scenic beauty which as attracted people to this special area for hundreds of years. The Missouri Headwaters State Park offers 17 campsites (with dump station, vault toilets), a picnic area, tipi rentals, along with several foot trails to fascinating points of interest and interpretive displays. This wonderful 532 acre park is just off U.S. Interstate 90, and is well worth the stop if you're interested in Montana history as well as scenic beauty with abundant wildlife you and your family can enjoy viewing. Museum of the Rockies ![]() Among the museum's cherished "trophies" is the largest Tyrannosaurus Rex skulls ever discovered, and a thigh bone of a Tyrannosaurus Rex that has soft-tissue remains still on it. The Museum of the Rockies is part of Montana's Dinosaur Trail, which includes several towns throughout the state of Montana that are associated with fantastic dinosaur finds, and is the official paloentological specimen repository for the entire state. In addition to dinosaurs, the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman Montana also focuses on the cultural and physical history of the Rocky Mountains, including the people and animals that have lived here through the ages and who presently live here. The Museum of the Rockies is a national treasure, and is a "must see" while vacationing in the Bozeman Area. ![]() Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana ____________________________________________________________________________
Bozeman Montana Location: Click Here for Google Map Location of Bozeman Montana ![]() ____________________________________________________________________________ Top Things To Do In Montana: Bozeman Area
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