Belgrade is our home town. It sits in the flat heart of the Gallatin Valley next to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, about 15 minutes (11 miles) from downtown Bozeman (approximate, OSRM) OSRM. Looking for a place to stay? See vacation rentals in Belgrade.
Plan your visit
- Worth visiting? It is a practical home base more than a sightseeing stop: airport, groceries, Main Street restaurants.
- How long: An evening on Main Street.
- With kids: quiet, residential and close to parks; easy for families.
- Combine with: Bozeman, Manhattan, Three Forks.
- Bad-weather option: a short drive to the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman.
Things to do in Belgrade
- Main Street: the historic core, with The Mint, Bar 3 BBQ and local shops.
- Belgrade Farmers Market in summer. See markets & festivals.
- Bridger Range views and nearby trails: see hiking.
- Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park: guided cave tours May–Sep (reservations Memorial Day–Labor Day), about 54 minutes (42 miles) from our homes in Belgrade (approximate, OSRM routing; real times vary with weather, traffic and road work) OSRM. Montana FWP
- Day trips: Manhattan (about 12 min), Three Forks (about 24 min), Bozeman (about 15 min), all approximate OSRM times.
Suggested itinerary from Belgrade: an easy arrival evening
- Land at BZN; our homes are about 5 minutes from the airport.
- Groceries and an early dinner on Belgrade’s Main Street (see where to eat).
- Next morning: Bozeman is about 15 min / 11 mi away, Manhattan about 12 min / 9 mi, Three Forks about 24 min / 22 mi.
Seasonal notes: Winter arrivals: allow extra time on snowy roads from the airport.
Family tips: a quiet first night before longer day trips.
Suggested plan, not a tested report. Drive times are approximate OSRM routing estimates (no traffic, construction or winter conditions); allow more time in snow. Check hours and road status before you go.
Where to eat and drink
- The Mint Cafe and Bar: Belgrade’s classic steakhouse. site
- Bar 3 BBQ: barbecue and beer on Main Street. site
- Madison River Brewing Co.: Belgrade’s brewery taproom. site
More in our restaurant guide.
Map and getting to Belgrade
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Markers are approximate.
Belgrade to the Yellowstone North Entrance is about 100 minutes (88 miles) and to West Yellowstone about 112 minutes (89 miles) (approximate, OSRM) OSRM.
Affiliate link: if you rent through GetRentacar we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.
Belgrade by season
Summer: long days, farmers market and the best base for Yellowstone day trips. Fall: harvest season and the Fall Festival. Winter: the airport is minutes away and Bridger Bowl and Big Sky are within reach; see winter. Spring: green valley, quiet trails.
Annual events
- Belgrade Fall Festival, September (it was Sep 19 in 2026; 2027 date pending confirmation). Check local listings for the 2027 date.
- Summer farmers market; see markets & festivals.
A short history of Belgrade
Belgrade began as a Northern Pacific Railway siding in 1883. Thomas B. Quaw filed the town plat in July 1891 and named it for the capital of Serbia, a thank-you to Serbian investors who had helped finance the railroad. The post office opened in 1887 and the town incorporated in 1906. Promoters marketed it as the “Princess of the Prairies” for its grain farms. Wikipedia
Growth followed the airport and the Bozeman boom: Belgrade had 10,460 residents in 2020. Wikipedia
Stay in Belgrade
Make Belgrade your base
All five of our homes are in Belgrade.
Day trip or overnight? You are already in town: downtown Bozeman is about 15 min / 11 mi (OSRM, approximate; no traffic or winter conditions).
We host five whole-home vacation rentals in Belgrade, about 5 minutes from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN): three homes plus a duplex with two private units that can be booked together. Sky (3BR, up to 7 guests), Cozy (3BR, up to 8), Comfy Lodge (up to 6), and the Mountainview duplex: Unit A and Unit B (6 guests each), or the whole duplex for up to 12.
- Sky 3BR Lodge, up to 7 guests · Check dates on Airbnb
- Cozy 3BR Lodge, up to 8 guests · Check dates on Airbnb
- Comfy Lodge House, up to 6 guests · Check dates on Airbnb
- Modern Mountainview A, up to 6 guests · Check dates on Airbnb
- Modern Mountainview B, up to 6 guests · Check dates on Airbnb
- Whole duplex (A + B), up to 12 guests · Check dates on Airbnb
Belgrade works best as a base for day trips around southwest Montana. If you plan several days in a row inside Yellowstone, staying in a gateway town may suit you better; see where to stay near Yellowstone.
Nearby guides
Bozeman · Manhattan · Three Forks · Vacation rentals in Belgrade · Places to stay near BZN · All guides
Frequently asked questions
Why is Belgrade, Montana named after Belgrade, Serbia?
The town’s founder named it in 1891 to thank Serbian investors who helped finance the Northern Pacific Railway.
How far is Belgrade from the Bozeman airport?
Our homes are about 5 minutes from the BZN terminal.
Where to eat in Belgrade
See our starting list of Belgrade restaurants.