Since opening an office in Bozeman, Montana in the fall of 2024, Overland staff members have worked hard to take advantage of every outdoor activity Bozeman has to offer. No matter the season, no matter the weather, there is always a fun adventure to be had. Here are four of my personal favorites:
Skiing at Bridger Bowl
Just 25 minutes outside Bozeman, Bridger Bowl is the perfect place to spend the day. With terrain for beginner and intermediate skiers, the bottom half of Bridger Bowl is a great place to learn. There are four lifts that service green runs, and 7 of 8 service blue runs. For advanced and expert skiers, 3 of the lifts service single and double black runs, and for those who have avalanche training, some choose to head over to Schlasman’s lift, which services unrated backcountry terrain.
The most adventurous skiers on the mountain will spend their day on “the ridge”, which is a 20 minute hike from the top of Bridger lift. Those who hike the ridge will find some of the best terrain that Montana has to offer, with anything from powdery runs the width of a football field to chutes that offer little room to turn. As with Schlasman’s, this terrain requires avalanche training and gear.
All revenue generated by Bridger Bowl is fed right back into improving the ski area, facilities, and supporting local programs. There is no such thing as a bad day at Bridger Bowl. You can’t find a better place to spend your winter weekend!
Staying Overnight at Garnet Mountain Fire Tower
If you are looking for a cozy overnight with a view, folks at Overland rave about Garnet Mountain Fire Tower. Open year round, the fire tower has four bunks, a wood stove, firewood, cooking supplies, and a table for games and dinner. It is primarily accessible by foot via a steep four mile climb will take you to the lookout, but an alternate route is available for small ATV’s and snow mobiles. The hike is gorgeous, the beds are comfy, but it is the sunrise over the Custer Gallatin National Forest that keeps folks coming back. Be sure to bring lots of water and snacks, and pack out all of your trash.
If you are thinking about staying at the Garnet Mountain Fire Tower, it is key to plan ahead! Reservations open 6 months in advance, and it is already fully booked from May to October.
Biking on Hyalite Canyon Road
Hyalite Canyon Road connects locals to some of the best hiking in the area, but the road itself has become a staple of its own. While biking on Hyalite Canyon Road is allowed year-round, the road is temporarily closed to cars from April 1 – May 15 every year, making it the perfect place to recreate without worrying about any motorized vehicles. As you bike up a consistent incline alongside Hyalite Creek, you will pass campgrounds, trails, and many other folks taking advantage of the recently thawed roads. After approximately 13 miles, the road ends just past Hyalite Reservoir, a gorgeous body of water that is primed for a snack or lunch break. Once you turn around, it is downhill the whole way home, so be sure to check those brakes and enjoy some easy biking!
Sight Seeing in Yellowstone
For most, spending time in Yellowstone National Park means a multi-stop flight, a long drive with a rental car, and likely a decent amount of PTO. Living in Bozeman, that simply isn’t the case. Bozeman’s proximity to Yellowstone makes a day trip feasible, enjoyable, and you’ll still be home in time to catch some live music at The Elm. My favorite loop to drive allows you to see many of the classic sites in Yellowstone in under 5 hours, and you may not even have to get out of the car.
Your day will start with a 90-minute drive Southeast from Bozeman to the North Entrance of Yellowstone Park. Take a photo at the Roosevelt Arch before heading to Mammoth Hot Springs. I like to stop in the visitors center to talk to a park ranger about road conditions and animal activity. After checking out the hot springs, I continue due south to the Norris Geyser Basin. You will pass towering Lodge Pole Pines, areas with evidence of recent wildfires, and more wildlife than you can count! The most likely suspects to keep your eye out for are elk, bison, and bears (both black and grizzly). Once you arrive, the geysers and pools at Norris are an amazing and underrated display. Always stay on the boardwalks!
Exit Norris Geyser Basin and head southwest towards West Yellowstone. Just after you pass Gibbon Falls, you will reach a junction – if you would like to see Old Faithful and Yellowstone Lake, head south. If you are ready to start your trek back to Bozeman, take a right and exit the National Park toward West Yellowstone, an adorable western town that has restaurants and gift shops galore. From here, you will head north on 191 all the way back to Bozeman, and the drive through the canyon home never gets old. If you have some time left to spare, pull off at Riverhouse BBQ just before Big Sky for a mouthwatering meal.
Whether it is your first time in Bozeman, or you have lived here all of your life, there is always more land to explore and more adventures to be had. Talk to locals, bring a friend, and take all necessary precautions to be safe while limiting your impact in the outdoors!
