The best hikes in Bozeman for outdoor splendor

12.07.2024 - 21:23 / lonelyplanet.com

Jul 8, 2024 • 6 min read

You could spend half a lifetime exploring the forests, lakes and granite peaks of the Gallatin, Madison and Bridger ranges around Bozeman, Montana. Luckily we've done the heavy footwork for you – you can experience the very best Montana has to offer on these spirit-restoring hikes.

Bozeman is geared firmly towards the great outdoors, and between June and October, you'll find yourself sharing the trails with mountain bikers, fly fishers and horse packers, as well as eager trekkers. But with so much wilderness on offer in this stunning corner of Montana, solitude and beauty are only ever just a short hike away. Here's our pick of the best hikes around Bozeman to get you started.

3 miles (4.8km) round trip, 90 mins, elevation gain 850ft (259m), easy to moderate

The short uphill walk to the Montana State University "M" etched into the suburban hills north of Bozeman is easily the most popular hike in town, and a classic choice if you are tight on time. Two dog-friendly trails lead up from the trailhead – the right-hand path is steep and direct, while the left-hand path follows gentler switchbacks and is around a mile longer. Combine the two for a satisfying loop.

Forty minutes of puffing will reward you with expansive views over Bozeman and the snow-capped Gallatin Mountains beyond. If this taster leaves you wanting more, trails continue up the Bridger ridgeline to 8914ft (2717m) Baldy Mountain, for a total return hike of 9.5 miles (15.3km). On the drive back to Bozeman, stop off at Map Brewing for patio views of the M over a pint of aptly named Steep Terrain Double IPA.

A local tip: If the parking lot is full (as it often is), head across the road to the larger Drinking Horse Trailhead, where you'll often find space.

4.5 miles (7.2km) round trip, 3 hours, elevation gain 2100ft (640m), moderate to strenuous 

Most hikers head south from Bozeman towards Yellowstone, so buck the trend by heading northeast into the less-visited Bridger range. A rough drive up Fairy Lake Rd (Forest Road #74) will drop you near the trailhead camping ground and a gorgeous turquoise lake (bookmark this for a deliciously frigid dip on your return).

The trail itself climbs from the get-go, rising through meadows of blazing paintbrush flowers and up lung-busting switchbacks to spit you out above the tree line onto a high saddle. Keep an eye open for Montana's iconic (and somewhat comical) white-tufted mountain goats as you soak up the immense views.

The final section is a dramatic ridge walk onto the uplifted slab of 9654ft (2943m) Sacagawea Peak, the highest point in the Bridger range, named in honor of the Shoshone woman who guided Lewis and Clark through the valleys west of Bozeman.

11 miles (17.7km)