Adventures
Horseback riding, fly fishing, whitewater and more.
Photo: Yellowstone National Park · Public domain
Saddle up, cast a fly, run the Mad Mile or see the peaks from the air—here's how to fill your adventure days. Rates and seasons change often, so book directly with each outfitter.
Hours, dates and seasons change—please check current schedules with each business or event before you go.
Horseback riding
From two-hour ranch rides along the Gallatin to full days in the mountains or Yellowstone.
Gallatin River bottomland west of Belgrade
2-hour ranch trail rides along the Gallatin River (ages 12+) and full-day mountain rides in the Madison, Gallatin and Bridger ranges.
Season: Mountain rides from early June; booking through mid-October.
Big Sky
Trail rides from one hour to week-long pack trips; minimum age 7. Reservations by phone (406-995-4630).
Season: Year-round, including winter rides.
Big Sky
1- and 2-hour public trail rides toward the Spanish Peaks (limited public availability; ranch guests first).
Season: Typically late May – mid-October.
Gallatin Canyon, south of Big Sky
1- and 2-hour rides (ages 8+), half-day rides for experienced riders, and a Wednesday trail ride with riverside BBQ in summer. No rides on Sundays.
Season: 2026 season: June 16 – October 3.
Chico Hot Springs, Paradise Valley
1- and 2-hour rides (ages 8–70), pony rides for ages 4–7 and full-day rides in Yellowstone.
Season: April 1 – end of October.
Paradise Valley
All-walking scenic rides from 1–2 hours to a half day; minimum age 7.
Season: Call April–September (406-222-6642).
Trailhead ~30 min from Bozeman
Half-day rides and full-day rides to a mountain lake with lunch; custom pack trips.
Season: Summer.
Gallatin (flows past Big Sky and just west of Belgrade), Madison, Yellowstone, Jefferson and Missouri are all within reach.
1716 W Main St, Bozeman
Bozeman's oldest fly shop (since 1978); float, wade, spring-creek and Yellowstone trips.
Two Bozeman shops: Four Corners and downtown Main St
Simms dealer, guided trips, classes, rentals and area fishing reports. Phone 406-586-5373.
Guide-only service (no shop) on the Madison, Gallatin, Yellowstone and Jefferson.
Guided trips on the Madison, Gallatin, Yellowstone, Boulder, Stillwater, Jefferson and Missouri.
Montana FWP: no fishing from boats on the Gallatin from Yellowstone NP to the East Gallatin confluence (you may float to access wade fishing). Check current regs. source
Sole permitted commercial rafting outfitter on the Gallatin since acquiring Geyser Whitewater (Dec 2023). Season roughly mid-May to mid-August; the 'Mad Mile' is Class III–IV at high water (May–June), calmer and more technical later. Also ziplining.
A no-wake reservoir high in Hyalite Canyon, with a Forest Service boat launch at the Hyalite day-use area and a ramp at Hood Creek Campground—perfect for SUPs and kayaks.
Kayak and SUP rentals at Kirkwood Marina and Madison Arm Resort near West Yellowstone.
Lone Peak Tram scenic rides, the Kircliff glass observatory, zipline tours and a lift-served Bike Park (Ramcharger 8 and Explorer Gondola). The 2026 summer season ran until Sept 13.
Lone Peak Aviation flies scenic airplane tours from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport over the Gallatin Valley, Bridger Range, Hyalite Canyon, Spanish Peaks and Big Sky.
Catch a show at MSU's Taylor Planetarium, join a public star party with the Southwest Montana Astronomical Society, or book a guided night-sky tour with Yellowstone Safari Company.