The 12 Best Day Trips from Bozeman

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains in southern Montana, Bozeman is a destination that promises outdoor adventure and myriad outdoor splendors.

Founded as a supply hub servicing the historic mining towns of Bannack and Virginia City, Bozeman has since become a center of tourism, boasting a massive selection of hotels, restaurants, and other travel services for visitors to the state.

Still, what makes Bozeman one of the best tourist cities on which to base your visit is its central location in southern Montana. Serving as a doorway to the state’s Rocky Mountains, visitors to Bozeman are only a short drive to many wonders.

From the legendary Yellowstone National Park to deserted ghost towns in the mountains, these are the 12 best day trips from Bozeman all tourists need to visit.

1. Big Sky

Located 45 miles from Bozeman, Big Sky is one of the best road trips from the city and offers a massive variety of outdoor activities year-round.

The road to Big Sky is one of the most beautiful in the state and leads visitors through the awe-inspiring Gallatin Canyon. While the drive to Big Sky takes only a little more than an hour, the route is truly something to experience, and visitors should take their time to enjoy the journey.

But of course, while the drive is fantastic, the destination is what makes Big Sky one of the best day trips from Bozeman. Known for world-class skiing, the Big Sky Resort offers fantastic outdoor adventures for visitors of all ages and interests.

In the winter, the region beckons with its ski slopes, snowshoe tours, and Enchanted Forest Trail. The area opens up throughout the warm summer into miles of pristine hiking trails, zipline tours, and the renowned Big Sky Golf Course.

2. Chico Hot Springs

Operating in Paradise Valley since 1900, Chico Hot Springs has been a popular tourist destination in southern Montana for over a century. And now, thanks to modern transportation, the Hot Springs is easily accessible and serves as a fantastic day trip for travelers visiting Bozeman.

Nestled amid the towering mountain range, Chico Hot Springs offers breathtaking scenery while engaging in a massive selection of adventure sports and relaxation.

While visiting the site’s eponymous hot springs is a must, other experiences offered at Chico include hiking, mountain biking, river rafting, snowshoeing, and much more.

Chico Hot Springs is only 48 miles from Bozeman. This means it takes less than an hour to reach and allows for an entire day of exploring everything Paradise Valley has to offer.

3. Yellowstone National Park

Heading 90-miles directly south of Bozeman will lead visitors to Yellowstone National Park’s West Entrance.

As the most popular gateway into the park, the West Entrance provides guests access directly to the park’s geysers. The most famous attraction here is Old Faithful, but there are over 150 different geysers just waiting to be explored within one square mile.

Once they’ve had their fill of geyser country, visitors can venture further into West Yellowstone, where they can engage in several hiking trails, including the Gallatin Sky Rim Trail and the Yellowstone National Park loop.

Alternatively, those seeking to explore the park without all of the footwork can arrange to venture along one of the horseback riding trails, which are available through several outfitters in the region.

4. Livingston

As a city, Bozeman features one of the most suitable infrastructures and services for hosting tourists. But the city has also become a modern community in recent years and no longer boasts the traditional charms of a small Montana town.

Luckily, visitors won’t have to venture too far to explore these old-timey Western stylings, as Livingston is easily accessible via a brief 250mile drive to Bozeman’s east.

Described as the way Bozeman was before the Californians arrived, the historic railway town now serves as a window into the big city’s past. Preserving history, Livingston was once the home of figures such as Calamity Jane, Tim Cahill, and Thomas McGuane.

Today the town’s local history museums and art galleries are some of the region’s top must-visit attract