13 Fabulous Day Trips From Bozeman You Must Check Out In 2023

Are you looking for the best day trips from Bozeman?

There are incredible day trips from Bozeman that you can take year round.

The city of Bozeman itself is home to incredible fly fishing, endless outdoor recreational activities, a great food scene, and the city lies in southwestern Montana. 

The charming town of Bozeman has endless things to do and activities to explore.

However, there are quite a few phenomenal places to discover within a short drive of the city that will have you falling in love with the state of Montana as a whole! 

For those looking to explore more of Montana, there are countless day trips from Bozeman that you can embark on to uncover more of this mountainous state. 

Day trips are an awesome free thing to do around Montana (minus gas) and make for some great memories!

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The Best Day Trips from Bozeman:

1. Big Sky

Big Sky is one of the most incredible day trips from Bozeman. This area of Montana is known for its incredible skiing.

As avid skiers and snowboarders, we know that Big Sky is one of the best snowboarding destinations in the United States. 

We highly recommend that you visit the area in the winter season so that you can take advantage of the awesome skiing and snowboarding conditions. 

Be sure to bring along your favorite ski wax iron so that your board or skis are in the best shape possible so that you have the best experience on the slopes!

For those looking to head to Big Sky Resort but would rather not haul all of your ski gear. Be sure to check out the Big Sky Premium Ski Rental Including Delivery! 

This is a great option where you can get your ski equipment delivered to your hotel and don’t have to worry about waiting in those ski rental lines for countless hours trying to pick up your gear. 

🚗 Distance: Roughly 1 hour

📍 Where to Stay: Montage Big Sky – We cannot recommend this hotel enough! We love the beautiful rustic vibe throughout the exterior and interior of the hotel. Additionally, it has phenomenal amenities including a spa, pool, and countless dining options.

2. Yellowstone National Park

Another one of the best day trips from Bozeman is to Yellowstone National Park!

This park is one of our all time favorite places to get outside, take in nature, and hit the trails on some epic hikes. 

Yellowstone is truly a fantastic place to visit year round but we typically recommend visiting during the fall or spring months.

The autumn and spring seasons allow you to experience moderate temperatures and less crowds than in the popping summer months and avoid the road closures and winter weather that occurs during the chilly months! 

For those looking to hit some hikes, be sure to bring with you the best energy bars, electrolytes, and energy foods for hiking so that you stay healthy, hydrated, and energized while taking in the spectacular views all around you! 

Be sure to check out the North Rim Trail, Red Rock Point, Lookout Point, and Grand View hike for some remarkable views of Yellowstone National Park and a beautiful waterfall within it. 

🚗 Distance: This depends on which park of Yellowstone National Park you are visiting. If you plan on exploring the hike we just mentioned, it is roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Bozeman!

📍 Where to Stay: Holiday Inn West Yellowstone – We recommend staying at this hotel because of its close proximity to Yellowstone and due to its close proximity to several restaurants in the area!

3. Livingston

For those looking to explore one of Montana’s best hidden gems, you must head to Livingston.

This quaint town is known for its fantastic fly fishing and is home to some awesome hiking trails and beautiful rivers. 

If you are interested in fly fishing in the area, be sure to bring along your favorite tackle box and long sleeve fishing shirts.

These essentials allow you to be prepared to have the best experience possible while spending hours outside catching some great fish. 

🚗 Distance: Roughly 30 minutes

📍 Where to Stay: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Livingston Yellowstone – This is a great place to stay at in Livingston due to its awesome location and it has a pool and hot tub for guests to use after a long day spent fly fishing or hiking in the area.

4. Butte

Another awesome option for those looking to embark on a day trip from Bozeman is Butte, Montana.

This small town in Montana is known for its immense mining of gold and silver. 

For those interested in the mining industry or getting to know more about the town of Butte.

Be sure to head to the World Museum of Mining where you can go on underground tours, explore different exhibits, and learn about the rich history of mining in the state of Montana. 

🚗 Distance: 1 hour and 20 minutes

📍 Where to Stay: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Butte – This is a fantastic place to stay in the Butte area and it offers free parking and breakfast!

5. Chico Hot Springs

For those looking for the ultimate relaxation activity, be sure to head to Chico Hot Springs!

This is the perfect place to spend a few hours rejuvenating and taking in the gorgeous surrounding Montana scenery in a warm pool filled with natural mineral hot springs water. 

🚗 Distance: 50 minutes

📍 Where to Stay: Sage Lodge – We highly recommend those visiting Chico Hot Springs stay at the Sage Lodge! We adore the rustic atmosphere and ambiance as well as the great amenities including a spa and several dining options.

6. Helena

Another one of the best day trips from Bozeman is to the state capital of Helena!

This is an excellent place to visit for those looking to explore more of a city but that still has endless outdoor activities and things to do. 

When visiting the city of Helena, be sure to check out one of their awesome breweries.

We strongly recommend that you grab a pint or two at the Blackfoot River Brewing Company or at Ten Mile Creek Brewery!

Helena is one of our favorite city’s to visit year round but we especially love visiting the area when exploring Montana during the fall months because of the incredible weather and outdoor recreational activities.

For those looking to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors of Montana, be sure to head to Mount Helena where you can hit the hiking trails or go on an epic mountain biking adventure. 

For those looking for a moderate and scenic hike in the area, be sure to check out the 1906 Trail.

This trek is roughly 3 miles in length and provides you with some fantastic views of forested areas and surrounding mountains.

🚗 Distance: Roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes

📍 Where to Stay: Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel – We recommend staying at this hotel in Helena because of its awesome amenities and great location near countless bars and restaurants.

7. Missouri Headwaters State Park

Another awesome place to visit for a day trip from Bozeman is the Missouri Headwaters State Park.

This park is where the Missouri River begins and is home to some great hiking, water activities, and camping. 

We recommend visiting this state park during the spring, summer, or fall so that you have optimal weather for camping so that you can truly take in the park and all that it has to offer!

Be sure to bring all of your favorite camping essentials including your favorite hot weather tent as well as your go-to camping fan.

These items are excellent to have in order to have the best camping experience while exploring all that Montana has to offer. 

🚗 Distance: About 30 minutes

📍 Where to Stay: The Sacajawea Hotel – This is an awesome place to stay and just minutes away from Missouri Headwaters State Park! Plus, we love that it’s right near countless restaurants and bars.

8. Garnet Ghost Town

Another one of the best hidden gems throughout the state of Montana is Garnet Ghost Town.

This town was once known for its thriving gold mines and liveliness. Now this town sits empty and is a great place to learn about Montana’s mining roots. 

🚗 Distance: 3 hours

📍 Where to Stay: DoubleTree by Hilton Missoula Edgewater – This hotel is about an hour away from Garnet Ghost Town but its in a fabulous location near many restaurants in the Missoula area and right near Clark Fork River.

9. Virginia City

Similar to Garnet Ghost Town, Virginia City was once a popping and lively town known for its gold minds and robust population.

However, now Virginia City is known for being one of Montana’s most popular ghost towns where you can explore and learn more about mining. 

🚗 Distance: 1 hour and 20 minutes

📍 Where to Stay: Sportsman’s Lodge – We recommend staying at this hotel because it is only about a 20 minute drive down the road and it has a restaurant and casino too!

10. Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park

The Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park is an excellent excursion to go on for those looking for one of the best day trips from Bozeman.

This is a great place to visit if you are interested in learning about Lewis and Clark, exploring limestone caverns, and would like to get outside and explore.

We recommend visiting this state park during the spring, summer, or fall months so that you can have optimal weather for exploring around the park!

Not only is this a great place to learn about limestone and Lewis and Clark but there are some truly remarkable hiking trails and campsites too. 

We recommend packing your favorite hiking essentials such as hiking socks to prevent blisters and your go-to hiking flashlight so that you can explore all of the beauty that Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park has to offer.

🚗 Distance: 1 hour

📍 Where to Stay: The Sacajawea Hotel – This hotel is about 30 minutes away from the Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park but it’s in a great location right near many restaurants.

11. Gates of the Mountains

One of the most beautiful sites within a short drive from Bozeman is the Gates of the Mountains.

This is a scenic area where mountains surround a lake. Lewis and Clark were actually the ones to name it the “Gates of the Mountains.”

It is now a popular tourist attraction for visitors to take in and enjoy!

🚗 Distance: Roughly 2 hours

📍 Where to Stay: Home2Suites by Hilton Helena – This is a great place to stay near the Gates of the Mountains and only takes about 20 minutes to get there from this hotel.

12. Ennis

For those searching for a getaway to a smaller town, Ennis should be on your bucket list.

This adorable town is known for its incredible mountain ranges, beautiful Madison River, and you can participate in countless outdoor activities in the area. 

Once you have finished up hiking, fly fishing, or mountain biking for the day.

Be sure to head to Tavern 287 for a delicious bite to eat where you can order anything from ravioli to meatloaf.

But be sure to save room for dessert, you must try some of their delicious macaroons for a memorable sweet treat.

🚗 Distance: 1 hour

📍 Where to Stay: Sportsman’s Lodge – This is a great place to stay for those looking for a good location and it has a casino and restaurant to enjoy too!

13. Gardiner

Gardiner, Montana is known for being the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park and this small town is known for the Yellowstone River flowing through it.

This is a great place to stay for those looking to explore southern Montana and for those looking to discover more of northern Yellowstone National Park. 

For those looking for an incredibly fun and thrilling experience to embark on in the area, be sure to check out the 2 Hour Rafting on the Yellowstone River Tour.

This is a great experience for individuals, families, and friends alike and makes for a truly memorable excursion as you take in beautiful views of the Yellowstone River and surrounding national park scenery!

🚗 Distance: 1 hour and 15 minutes

📍 Where to Stay: The Ridgeline Hotel at Yellowstone – We recommend staying at this hotel because of its close proximity to Yellowstone River and many restaurants and bars!

FAQs About The Best Day Trips from Bozeman

What is the most scenic route from Bozeman to Yellowstone?

We recommend taking Highway 89 from Bozeman to Yellowstone because it provides you with plenty of scenic views along the way and it is the fastest route to get here. 

What is the closest national park to Bozeman?

Yellowstone National Park is the closest national park to Bozeman. It only takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to the park from the city of Bozeman. 

How many days do you need in Bozeman?

We recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Bozeman so that you can experience some of the great restaurants, participate in some phenomenal outdoor activities, and get to know the area! 

How far is Big Sky from Bozeman?

The drive to Big Sky from Bozeman is not long at all as it takes roughly 1 hour to get there by car.

We hope you enjoyed this article on the best day trips from Bozeman. Happy Road Tripping!