Big Sky Resort in summer
🚗 59–68 minLone 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.
Long, bright days, cold rivers and big skies: summer in the Gallatin Valley is made for getting outside. Here are our favourite ways to spend it—each with the drive time from Belgrade.
Hours, dates and seasons change—please check current schedules with each business or event before you go.
Farmers markets
Four market days a week
Tuesday evenings in Bozeman's Lindley Park, Wednesday nights in Big Sky, Thursday evenings a minute from the homes in Belgrade, and Saturday mornings at the fairgrounds.
Market details- Belgrade Farmers MarketThursdays 4–7pm · Lewis & Clark Park · Typically mid-June to mid-September
- Gallatin Valley Farmers' MarketSaturdays 9am–noon · Gallatin County Fairgrounds · Summer
- Bozeman Farmers' Market (formerly Bogert)Tuesdays 5–8pm · Lindley Park · Typically June to early September
- Big Sky Farmers MarketWednesdays 5–8pm · Big Sky Town Center · June – September
Mountains & water
Whitewater on the Gallatin (the Mad Mile)
🚗 51–56 minMontana Whitewater is the sole permitted commercial rafting outfitter on the Gallatin. Season roughly mid-May to mid-August; the Mad Mile is Class III–IV at high water (May–June).
Paddleboarding & kayaking at Hyalite Reservoir
🚗 46–59 minA 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.
Hebgen Lake
🚗 105–114 min (~1.8 hr)Kayak and SUP rentals at Kirkwood Marina and Madison Arm Resort near West Yellowstone.
Ousel Falls
🚗 54–60 minEasy ~1.6-mile family trail in Big Sky to a lovely waterfall.
Paradise Valley scenic drive
🚗 37–42 minUS-89 from Livingston to Gardiner (about 53–56 miles) follows the Yellowstone River between the Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains and the Gallatin Range. For a quieter return, take East River Road (MT-540).
Scenic flights from BZN
🚗 12 minLone Peak Aviation flies scenic airplane tours from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport over the Gallatin Valley, Bridger Range, Hyalite Canyon, Spanish Peaks and Big Sky.
History & heritage
Madison Buffalo Jump State Park
🚗 37–44 minA limestone cliff near Three Forks where Native American hunters drove bison over the edge for roughly 2,000 years; tipi rings and interpretive trails.
Missouri Headwaters State Park
🚗 25–26 minWhere the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers join to form the Missouri—and where the Lewis & Clark Expedition camped in 1805. Picnicking, trails and camping (17 sites plus a rental tipi).
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park
🚗 52–63 minGuided cave tours May 1 – Sept 30: the easier ~90-min Paradise Tour or the strenuous ~2-hr Classic Tour (600+ stairs). Summer tours are by reservation.
Virginia City & Nevada City
🚗 79–97 min (~1.3 hr)Gold-rush towns of Alder Gulch: Virginia City is a living historic town and Nevada City an open-air living-history museum. Full season Memorial Day weekend – Labor Day; the Alder Gulch Shortline Railroad links the two (about 15 minutes each way).
Museum of the Rockies
🚗 19–20 minMSU's museum: Siebel Dinosaur Complex, Taylor Planetarium and a seasonal Living History Farm (May–Sept). Open daily 9am–5pm (holiday closures).
American Computer & Robotics Museum
🚗 19–20 minA surprising Bozeman gem tracing the history of computing and robotics. Open Tuesday–Sunday 10am–4pm; closed Mondays and holidays.
Wildlife
Montana Grizzly Encounter
🚗 24–26 minA grizzly bear rescue and education sanctuary on Bozeman Pass. Seasonal hours—fall hours (from Sept 1) are Thursday–Monday 10am–5pm, and winter hours (from Nov 1) are Thursday–Sunday 10am–4pm, weather permitting.
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
🚗 99–113 min (~1.6 hr)West Yellowstone's year-round wildlife park—see the West Yellowstone page.
Rodeo, music & nights out
Livingston Roundup Rodeo
🚗 40–44 minMontana's oldest rodeo by its own billing—a PRCA rodeo typically held around the Fourth of July at the Park County Fairgrounds (2026: July 1–4, the 102nd).
Three Forks NRA Rodeo
🚗 22–25 minTypically mid-July at the Three Forks Rodeo Arena (2026: July 17–18, 7pm).
Big Sky PBR
🚗 51–56 minBull riding at the Big Sky Events Arena, typically mid-July (2026: July 16–18).
Music on Main & Lunch on the Lawn
🚗 15–16 minFree summer music downtown on Thursday evenings (Music on Main) and at the Emerson on Wednesday lunchtimes (Lunch on the Lawn).
Stargazing
🚗 19–20 minCatch 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.