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The Best Things To Do In Bozeman In The Summer

The Best Things To Do In Bozeman In The Summer - Flyfishing the Madison River

The Best Summer Activities in Bozeman, Montana

Rivers, mountains, and a lively social scene? Bozeman, Montana has the landscape and events calendar to make this summer one you’ll remember. With an average of 300 days of sunshine annually, there are plenty of reasons to get out and explore all the warm-season fun Bozeman offers.

 

The Best Things To Do In Bozeman In The Summer - Rafting The Gallatin River

GET ON (OR IN) THE WATER

Located near multiple world-class trout rivers and arguably one of the most recognizable stretches of whitewater in the state, Bozeman is the perfect home base for all of your river-centric fun this summer.

Cast a line from the bank of the Madison River or schedule a private fly fishing excursion with a professional guide. If you’re looking for an adrenaline kick, try a full-day whitewater rafting trip on the Gallatin River, which includes a series of splashy class II-IV rapids. For a more mellow river experience, rent or purchase tubes to embark on a float down the lower Madison River—a local favorite on hot summer days. The opportunities are endless.

If lake life is more your scene, Hyalite Reservoir offers scenic picnic areas and plenty of lake access to launch a paddleboard or kayak. Soak up the mountain views from the water and paddle back to shore for a BBQ lunch.

 

The Best Things To Do In Bozeman In The Summer - Take A Hike

TAKE A HIKE

Whether you’re seeking your next long-distance trek or a nice walking path to stretch your legs on, Bozeman has a variety of trails for every hiker to enjoy. Gallatin National Forest, Bozeman’s scenic backyard, has an abundance of trail options with many popular trailheads located in Hyalite and Gallatin Canyons.

For shorter excursions, look for something close to town, including the College ‘M’ Trail and Peets Hill. They’re the perfect trails for sunset hikes, morning runs, or to bring visiting friends and family on. More experienced hikers may want to continue from the College “M” towards Baldy, a challenging summit with rewarding views of Bozeman and the surrounding mountains.

New to hiking in the area? Brush up on etiquette and local routes before hitting the trails. If you don’t want to go out alone, there are a variety of groups on social media that help unite local hikers.

 

The Best Things To Do In Bozeman In The Summer - Enjoy Music On Main Concerts

ENJOY LOCAL SUMMER EVENTS

From endurance races and live music to farmers’ markets and art shows, this sunny mountain town keeps summer exciting with a full calendar of community events. To stay up to date on new and upcoming summer events, check out the Downtown Bozeman Events Calendar.

Weekly favorites occurring throughout the summertime include:

Music on Main: Thursdays from 6:30 PM–8:30 PM

Bozeman Farmers’ Market: Tuesdays from 5:00 PM–8:00 PM

Image courtesy Downtown Bozeman.

 

The Best Things To Do In Bozeman In The Summer - Bozeman Brewery Scene

TOUR THE BOZEMAN BREWERY SCENE

There’s a lot to be hoppy about during the summer in Bozeman. With an ever-expanding number of local brews to sample, Bozeman is fast becoming known for its craft brewery scene.

There’s no better way to kick off warm-season than with a Midas Crush or Party on the MAP Brewing waterfront patio. MAP’s prime location, which also features sweeping views of the Bridger Range, pairs well with the flavorful brews. After a hike in Hyalite, Bridger Brewing is your next stop. It’s the perfect place to regroup with a Lee Metcalf Pale Ale or a specialty house-made root beer and ginger beer. To discover more of Bozeman’s local breweries, check out the Montana Brewers Association Trail Map.

Image courtesy MAP Brewing.

 

For more of the best things to do in Bozeman in the summer, see our favorite outdoor eateries and distilleries & microbreweries.