The Bozeman area is a marvelous place and home to an abundance of hiking trails. If you’ve been following along for any sort of time, you may know that I’m a Montana native and loooove the outdoors. I’ve lived in Bozeman for nearly eight years and recently moved to Livingston, so I have a couple local secrets up my sleeve that I’m willing to share (you’re welcome ;)).
Bozeman is home to quite a few mountain ranges, all of which are havens for the outdoor lover (or the outdoor newbies). I’ll be sharing trails from four ranges: Bridger, Gallatin, Madison and Absaroka. All your trails are bundled into either chill, moderate or ‘may kick your ass’, so you’re able to easily pick your poison. Remember listen to your body!
Some of these may be no-brainers, but some of these are fun less popular trails. Give them a try and let me know how these went for you!
Are you new to hiking or trail running? Read more here to get started!
Elevation Rating
- Super Easy: Easy to walk and talk.
- Moderate: Could break a sweat if you felt like it, but are generally easy going trails.
- Not easy, but not killer: You’ll likely break a sweat and get fatigued, but not to the point where you’re beat for the rest of the day.
- Steep/Rigorous: You’ll likely be wiped out after these trails! Give yourself the day to get up, get down and go have a beer and nachos.
Popularity:
- Busy (but worth it, obviously)
- Not Crazy
- Bring your bear spray, because you may be alone
About each of these mountain ranges…
Bridger Range
Ahh, the good ol’ Bridgers. The range that you’ll first see when coming into Bozeman. It’s also home to Bridger Bowl (surprise), and offers the most accessible and super fun trails. Although the most accessible, expect some of these trails to be busier than others.
Gallatin and Madison Ranges
The mountains towards infamous Big Sky and the Yellowstone Club. These mountains you’ll see south of Bozeman with the standout mountain, Blackmore Peak. I’ve bundled these two ranges together since they’re separated by the Gallatin River. Most of the trails I’ve mentioned are near Hyalite.
Absarokas
A bit more of a stretch from Bozeman in Paradise Valley, but SO worth the extra time for the secluded and spectacular trails. It’s not called paradise for no reason! For extra fun, you can head over to Chico Hot Springs after your mountain adventures.
Chill
All of these are fabulous for getting yourself outside without the strain of a rigorous adventure. Go relax and enjoy the fresh air!
Pete’s Hill + The Gallagator + Story Mill Trails
Mountain Range: NA (right in Bozeman!)
Length: 1-10 Miles (or more if you’re feeling crazy)
Elevation Rating: Super Easy
Popularity: Busy
Time: 30 Minutes to 2 Hours
How to Get There: https://goo.gl/maps/SqwowEQWcsQ2
Tips: The main trail next to the library is the most popular, but provides gorgeous views of Bozeman, the Bridgers and of Hyalite. Start there and you can always expand into Gallagator and Story Mill trails, which easily connect to Pete’s Hill. This trail is also great in the winter!
Drinking Horse
Mountain Range: Bridger
Length: 3.5 Miles
Elevation Rating: Moderate
Popularity: Busy
Time: 30 Minutes to 1 Hour
How to Get There: https://goo.gl/maps/9tzC4v8t3rP2
Tips: If you need to move quickly, take the steeper route and power hike up to the lookout. Take the other side and run down.
Bozeman Creek
Mountain Range: Gallatin
Length: 1-20 Miles
Elevation Rating: Moderate
Popularity: Busy
Time: 30 Minutes to 4 Hours
How to Get There: https://goo.gl/maps/xJrAYtFsoLt
Tips: Plan to go past the two mile marker and easily get past the crowds. The out and back trail goes on for ten miles, so you really can pick exactly how far you’d like to go on any day.
Moderate
Lava Lake
Mountain Range: Madison
Length: 7 Miles
Elevation Rating: Not easy, but not killer
Popularity: Not Crazy
Time: 1.5 Hours
How to Get There: https://goo.gl/maps/2Ku1RNj2N4x
Tips: Save time to hang out at the lake to take in the views, dip your feet in the lake and enjoy the scenery.
Bridger Foothills (The M and Sypes)
Mountain Range: Bridger
Length: 7-14 Miles
Elevation Rating: Not easy, but not killer
Popularity: Not Crazy
Time: 1.5-3 Hours
How to Get There: M Trailhead: https://goo.gl/maps/G2bkwm4k4Xy OR Sypes Canyon: https://goo.gl/maps/8S5CaUECpw12
Tips: This is one of the best routes, because it connects to two popular trailheads but gets you away from the crowds quickly. I prefer to start at Sypes and work my way to the M trailhead, but you could easily do that in reverse. If you need the miles, do an out and back to rack up 14 miles. There are signs that tell you when to turn!
Middle Cottonwood
Mountain Range: Bridger
Length: 9 Miles
Elevation Rating: Not easy, but not killer
Popularity: Not Crazy
Time: 2 Hours
How to Get There: https://goo.gl/maps/FXeJ1RioRQz
Tips: I must admit that I don’t go to this trail very often and typically opt for Sypes canyon due to time. If you have the time to make it out the whole nine miles, go for it! Otherwise, it’s easy to turn around as time permits.
South Cottonwood
Mountain Range: Gallatin
Length: 4-6 Miles
Elevation Rating: Moderate
Popularity: Not Crazy
Time: 1 Hour
How to Get There: https://goo.gl/maps/R9HL4wmV2i32
Tips: This is a fantastic trail to run or leisurely hike with a couple creek crossings. I recommend making taking to make it to the third bridge as most people only go to the first or second, so you get a chance for a bit of solitude.
Deep Creek
Mountain Range: Absarokas
Length: 1-10 Miles
Elevation Rating: Moderate
Popularity: Bring your bear spray, because you may be alone
Time: 1-2 Hours
How to Get There: https://goo.gl/maps/xTFciBeH2Ct
Tips: Like I said above, the Absarokas are bit more isolated from the crowds, unlike the Bozeman trails. This is another fabulous out and back trail that navigates along a creek. If you feel like going the whole way, you’ll eventually make it to a ridge the looks over the Boulder River. Not many people are on this trail, so be sure to bring bear spray and go with a friend if you can.
Chestnut
Mountain Range: Bridger
Length: 5-10 Miles
Elevation Rating: Not easy, but not killer
Popularity: Not Crazy
Time: 1-2 Hours
How to Get There: https://goo.gl/maps/KU8idrYJrAA2
Tips: One of the lesser populated trails for hikers (be aware that there may be a decent amount of mountain bikers on this trail), but is a decent hike or trail run without all the people. This could either be an out and back trail or make it a loop with Goose Creek.
May Kick Your Ass
Mt. Baldy
Mountain Range: Bridger
Length: 8 Miles
Elevation Rating: Steep
Popularity: Busy
Time: 3-4 Hours
How to Get There: https://goo.gl/maps/G2bkwm4k4Xy
Tips: Hit this trail early in the season or at least early in the day. As one of the first peaks to get dry and it’s accessibility from the M trailhead, this hike can get busy. There’s also no water, so if you’re bringing your fur-baby, be sure to pack extra water for them as well! It’s a steep hike, but so worth the effort.
Pine Creek Lake
Mountain Range: Absaroka
Length: 10 Miles
Elevation Rating: Steep
Popularity: Busy
Time: 4-5 Hours
How to Get There: https://goo.gl/maps/5qScrvN2CaN2
Tips: This is one of the few hikes in Paradise Valley that gets quite a bit of traffic. But you’ll be rewarded with amazing views with even more amazing alpine lakes. If you’re into backpacking, this is a wonderful trail to camp by a mountain top lake. You can always camp at the trailhead as well!
Sacajawea Peak
Mountain Range: Bridger
Length: 6 Miles
Elevation Rating: Steep
Popularity: Busy
Time: 2 Hours
How to Get There: https://goo.gl/maps/kgfJLNswCKt
Tips: As another relatively accessible trailhead and peak, this trail can get busy (more so than Baldy even). Head up there early to try and avoid the crowds!
Hyalite Peak
Mountain Range: Gallatin
Length: 16 Miles
Elevation Rating: Not easy, but not killer
Popularity: Not Crazy
Time: 4-5 Hours
How to Get There: https://goo.gl/maps/dN12KMj4erJ2
Tips: Although not super steep, this trail is a long one! A lot of people may be at the trail, but may dip off after you pass a few falls or even at Hyalite Lake. The trail is easy to follow and is a marvelous peak to be on top of.
Remember to stretch it out after a long day in the mountains!
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