5 Day Trips from Bozeman, Montana

Written by Visit Bozeman Updated on

Once you've conquered Bozeman's breweries and hiking trails, it's time to venture beyond city limits. The good news? Some of Montana's most jaw-dropping destinations are practically in your backyard.

Within two hours (or less, if you resist the urge to stop for photos every five minutes), you'll find everything from world-famous Yellowstone National Park to quirky towns you've never heard of (but love just as much). The best part might be the drives themselves — not only are they ridiculously pretty, but you'll probably spot some wildlife too. 

Here are five day trips from Bozeman that'll make you fall even harder for Southwest Montana.

Planning a trip to Bozeman? Download our Travel Guide for tips on where to stay, how to get around, and events to attend while you’re in town! 

5 Unforgettable Day Trips From Bozeman in Every Season

Madison River in Ennis, Montana

1. Ennis: For a River Day

Distance from Bozeman: 52.4 miles

Route: MT-84 W and US-287 S

Spring transforms the drive to Ennis into Montana's version of a screensaver come to life — the rolling emerald hills contrast with snow-capped peaks. 

Ennis is a small town with a big fishing game. The Madison River is one of the most popular fly fishing locations near Bozeman, and anglers come in droves to fish. Varney Bridge to Ennis is a popular float — you can do it on your own or hire a fishing guide. Beartrap Canyon is another well-loved fishing spot, where the Madison is surrounded by large, rocky cliffs, making for some of the most beautiful scenery around.

Not into wrestling with trout? No problem — lazy rafting trips, Ennis Lake paddleboarding, or simply floating while the world drifts by offer equally satisfying ways to spend a warm day.

The town itself is full of some great shops and restaurants, including Burnt Tree Brewing and Willie’s Distillery. The Gravel Bar is a popular spot with good food, drinks, and occasional live music. Wander the small but mighty Main Street and see what you find!

You can still go wade fishing on the Madison River in the winter — the section upstream of Lyon's Bridge is popular. Try ice fishing on Ennis Lake, or cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling in the area. Winter fishing and sports can be dangerous, so you should hire a guide if you've never done these activities before.

On your way back from Ennis, stop at Norris Hot Springs — they've got awesome food and drinks you can eat and sip while you soak!

 

Three people on a lift at Big Sky Resort.

2. Big Sky: For Skiing, Hiking, or Mountain Biking

Distance from Bozeman: 45 miles

Route: US 191-S

The road to Big Sky winds through Gallatin Canyon – the same backdrop from "A River Runs Through It" that made you want to drop everything and become a fly fishing guide in Montana. Don’t rush it — the canyon is busy, and the road is a two lanes with lots of bends. 

During the winter, Big Sky Resort is known for its world-class skiing and snowboarding, with runs for all experience levels. Summer in Big Sky is a different story: Hiking (Ousel Falls and Beehive Basin are two popular trails), biking, and fishing are the primary activities. Big Sky Resort also offers lift-served downhill mountain biking! The Lone Peak Tram will haul you to the top of Lone Mountain, where you can see three states and two national parks.

Grab food and a treat from Blue Moon Bakery, beer at Beehive Basin Brewery, or barbecue at The Riverhouse (it overlooks the Gallatin River). Horn & Cantle is a more upscale option (and it was a James Beard Foundation semifinalist), and Tips Up is a fun bar with live music and events on select evenings.

 

Geyser erupting in Yellowstone National Park.

3. West Yellowstone: For Exploring Yellowstone National Park from the West Entrance

Distance from Bozeman: 89.2 miles

Route: US 191-S

West Yellowstone is arguably one of the best day trips from Bozeman. If possible, we suggest visiting in the spring or fall when the crowds have died down. You might even be able to go biking in Yellowstone without sharing the road with cars during these two seasons, depending on when you visit!

Winter is also an excellent time to check out Yellowstone. You'll likely see more wildlife than people, and it's magical blanketed in snow. However, the West Entrance is closed to personal vehicles during the winter months. We recommend a guided snowmobile or snowcoach tour during this time — they're unique ways to see the park.

The west entrance takes you to the majority of the geysers and hot pots. We recommend driving Grand Loop Road, which will take about 3.5 hours starting (and ending) at the park's West Entrance. Popular stops on this route include:

  • Old Faithful: This page features predicted eruption times
  • Grand Prismatic Spring: Walk the fantastic overlook trail
  • West Thumb Geyser Basin: Check out hot pots, geysers, and other geothermal features
  • Yellowstone Lake: A beautiful spot to stop and relax
  • Hayden Valley: An excellent spot for wildlife viewing
  • Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Stunning views of the massive canyon
  • Norris Geyser Basin: Another popular spot for geothermal features

If you're hungry after your day of exploring, the Yellowstone Beer Company has good food and even better beer. Firehole Bar-B-Que Co., The Buffalo Bar, and Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon are also great options.

 

The town of Livingston, Montana on a sunny day.

4. Livingston & Paradise Valley: For Old Western Towns and Ranches

Distance from Bozeman: 25.8+ miles

Route: I-90 E

Once a railroad town, Livingston is now full of artists, writers, cowboys, entrepreneurs, and mountaineers — and it's certainly worth a stop. The downtown charm hits you immediately — think perfectly weathered storefronts housing galleries full of local treasures and restaurants that punch well above their small-town weight class. Don't forget your camera, you'll definitely want to snap some photos!

Here's what we recommend doing in Livingston:

Livingston is also fortunate enough to have a variety of excellent restaurants. Here are some popular spots:

Just south of Livingston lies Paradise Valley, aptly named for its beauty. If you're visiting in the summer or fall, we recommend a hike to the popular Pine Creek Falls. If you're really up for it, we highly recommend continuing past the falls to Pine Creek Lake. It's a long one (9.5 miles out-and-back) with a hefty amount of elevation gain, but the lake is gorgeous!

If hiking isn't your cup of tea, the valley also affords plenty of float and guided fishing trips on the scenic Yellowstone River. 

 

People watching bison grazing in a grassy meadow in Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park.

5. Gardiner: For Exploring Yellowstone National Park from the North Entrance

Distance from Bozeman: 77.9 miles

Route: I-90 E and US-89 S

Gardiner, Montana, sits at the north entrance to Yellowstone. This adorable little town is worth stopping in and one of our favorite day trips from Bozeman. Here's what you can get up to:

After spending a couple hours in Gardiner, head into the park! The north side is the only road in Yellowstone that stays open year-round, so you can still drive through this section of the park during the winter.

Here's what we recommend doing in North Yellowstone:

  • Take a photo with the iconic Roosevelt Arch and the park's entrance sign
  • Walk the short boardwalk to Mammoth Hot Springs
  • Watch for wildlife in Lamar Valley, one of the best spots to find animals in the park
  • Check out the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, where you'll get an incredible view of a huge waterfall in an even bigger canyon

On your way home, allocate some time to stop at Yellowstone Hot Springs.

Ready to plan your trip to Bozeman and beyond? Download the Bozeman Travel Guide to get started.

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