Suggestions for things to do during your stay in Montana

In Bozeman

For events in Bozeman, see: http://www.downtownbozeman.org/events.html

Museum of the Rockies see: http://www.museumoftherockies.org/

Pioneer Museum see: http://www.pioneermuseum.org/

American Computer Museum see: http://www.compustory.com/

Ellen Theatre, an old theatre downtown on Main St. They recently started performing plays and musicals. See their schedule at: http://www.theellentheatre.com/home.html

Movie Theatres – The only one is in the Bozeman Mall at the far west end of College St.

Shapespeare in the Park – Begins on June 17^th on the MSU campus. See: http://www2.montana.edu/shakespeare/

Hiking – ask John Neumeier for a book of Bozeman Hikes.

The “Bozeman Beach” – North of town in the East Gallatin Recreation Area is a small lake. It has a sand beach for sunbathing and the lake is good for swimming through most of the summer. Also has covered picnic tables and volleyball courts. Take N 7^th, over the highway, right on Griffin Dr, left on Manley Rd.

Farmer’s Markets - There are two during the summer. Arts and crafts, homemade baked goods, take-out food, music, and some fruits and vegetables.

(1) Tuesdays 5 – 8 pm at Bogert Park on Church, south of Main St.

(2) Beginning on June 20^th at the county fairgrounds (N. 7^th, right at Tamarack). It continues on all Saturdays thereafter. Time: 9 am to 12 pm.

Legion Baseball Games. Food is sold at the games. Schedule: http://www.bozemanbaseball.com/amerlegion/Bozeman_Bucks.htm#Schedule

Local Transportation Streamline Bus System

Car Rental – Enterprise at 1238 W. Main (two blocks west of Coop) www.enterprise.com

A few restaurants – I-Hos Korean (1216 W. Lincoln, near fieldhouse), Food Coop (Deli offers salads, soups, hot meals, and sandwiches), MacKenzie River Pizza (232 E. Main), La Parrilla (Mexican, 1624 W. Babcock), Emerson Grill (SE corner of the Emerson Building on Olive St.) offers ½ price pasta dishes between 5-6 pm Monday through Thursday.

Near Bozeman

Local Camping (three suggestions) – 1. Hyalite Canyon - (18 mi from campus) with camping in canyon and on reservoir.

2. Spanish Peaks - camping at the foot of the mountains. On Rt. 191, the road to Big Sky, about 20 mi from campus with ~ 8 mi on dirt road.

3. Fairy Lake – camping in an alpine setting. Very near to trailhead for hike to Sacajewea Peak. Take Rouse which turns into Bridger Canyon Rd., drive past Bridger Bowl ski area, past Battle Ridge Campground, take dirt road on left to campground. This road will not open until after July 1^st (check with local ranger station). Road can be bad in spots. Total distance about 28 miles.

Hot Springs (see: http://www.trails.com/toptrails.aspx?area=10562 for directions to these and others.

Bozeman Hot Springs (in Four Corners).

Ennis Hot Springs

Chico Hot Springs (in Pray, MT, about 50 minutes from Bozeman, south of Livingston, MT) – Nice outdoor hot springs with bar and grill adjacent to it. If you go to the Brunch on Sunday, admission to the pool is free.

Boiling River – A few miles south of the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park, it is in the park. Essentially hot springs bubbling from ground into river with some rock dams to control the temperature of an eddy in the river.

Lewis and Clark Caverns see: http://fwp.mt.gov/lands/site_281895.aspx

Outside of Bozeman

World Museum of Mining – in Butte, MT (about 80 miles west on Highway 90) see: http://www.miningmuseum.org/

Gates of the Mountains – A boat ride on the Missouri River, north of Helena (about 80 minutes to drive there). See: http://www.gatesofthemountains.com/

Natural Bridge on Boulder River – South of Big Timber (about 60 minutes). Ample camping in this area too. See: http://www.sweetgrasscounty.com/attractions/bridge1.htm

Big Timber Water Slide – (About 4 miles east of Big Timber) You can bring a cooler with you, claim a picnic table, and spend the day. Lots of fun! http://www.bigtimberwaterslide.com/

River Floating – Rent inner tubes at Northern Lights “The Barn” (585-2090) or Round House enroute to the Madison River (drive past mall, straight through Four Corners, to Warm Springs fishing access site (about 16 miles total)). Float to Blacks Ford fishing access site, about 6 miles downstream.

Rafting on Snake River in Grand Teton National Park – This would be a good weekend venture, with one night camping in the park. See http://www.jacksonholenet.com/summer_recreation/scenic_float_trips_gtnp.php for some outfitters. Trip is about 4 hours, ends at south entrance to park near Jackson Hole, WY.

Ghost Towns – There are a number of nice ones to visit that are fun to visit. Here are three:

1. Bannack (about two hours from Bozeman) http://www.bannack.org/ was Montana’s first Capital. The third weekend in July they have an event called Bannack Days. See the website for more info.

2. Elkhorn – (about 80 minutes from Bozeman) near Boulder, MT.

3. Coolidge – (about two hours from Bozeman, sort of in the direction of Dillon, MT) Nice ghost town, in a really beautiful valley on the Pioneer Highway, a scenic road. Lots of great campsites in the valley, so you should plan on one overnight. Crystal Park is in the same valley. It is a place where you can dig for quartz crystals – bring a shovel. Plan your trip to go through Dillon on the way back to Bozeman; Dillon has a Patagonia outlet store.