Bozeman on a budget - 11 ways to save without skimping on experiences

13.07.2024 - 08:32 / lonelyplanet.com

Jul 11, 2024 • 5 min read

By Montana standards, Bozeman is an expensive place for a vacation. As one of the main gateways to Yellowstone National Park, hotel rooms (in fact, all forms of accommodation) come at a premium, especially in summer. 

That said, food and drink costs are still reasonable, and it's perfectly possible to have a budget-friendly trip, especially if you're road-tripping with your own car and don't mind camping rather than staying in a hotel room. Stretch your dollars and cents further with the following money-saving tips.

Rates at Bozeman hotels hit their apex in summer, but this is also the perfect season for camping. Save some serious money by heading to a Forest Service campground in the mountains outside town. There are numerous sites in the Hyalite Canyon and Gallatin Valley, though the nearest, Langohr, is 12 miles (19km) from town. In-town campgrounds offer more facilities but are more expensive and aimed more at RVers than tent campers. Bear Canyon Campground is one good option not too far from downtown.

You'll save money on both airfares and accommodation if you visit Bozeman outside of the summer peak season (June to August). The spring months of April and May and the fall months of October and November offer great weather and some of the best hotel deals, and you'll see fewer crowds.

If you are flying into Bozeman, check fares with budget airlines such as JetBlue, Southwest and Allegiant Air, especially if you can avoid checking in any hold luggage. Also check fares to the larger airport in Billings, two hours' drive away – both flights and car rentals can sometimes be cheaper here.

Unlike in neighboring Yellowstone National Park, there are no fees for backpackers camping in the backcountry of Custer Gallatin National Forest. Invest in a map, bear spray and some freeze-dried camp food and you're good to go. Rules dictate that you must camp at least half a mile from a road; be sure to follow Leave No Trace guidelines.

Bear spray is an essential investment if you are heading into the Montana wilderness, but a can in a fancy outdoor gear shop can run to $50. Costco in Bozeman often offers the best deal in town, with two cans for around $45 during the summer season.

Alternatively, you can rent bear spray at Big Boys Toys by the day, but you'll have to pay the purchase cost for the canister if you use it. When flying home, remember that you can't take bear spray on a plane.

The wilderness cabins maintained by the Custer Gallatin National Forest authorities are still a great deal, despite recent price hikes. The huts are pretty basic, offering little more than a stove and bunk beds with mattresses where you can unroll your sleeping bag, and you'll have to hike or ski in, but a group of