Travel & Stay

Transportation
It’s a good idea to have your own transportation while in the Bozeman area. Uber is available and reliable in the city; note that waits can be longer if being picked up in the outskirts (i.e. at the Big Yellow Barn), so plan ahead.

• Though the Big Yellow Barn is technically in Belgrade, MT, the airport you’ll fly in to is Bozeman (BZN)

• The venue is about 10 miles from downtown Bozeman and has plenty of parking; Uber is available but could be slow to get to the venue (15-30 minute waits), so please plan ahead

• Book a car rental early (we booked ours in October!)

Lodging
There are a lot of great hotels and AirBnB’s in Bozeman, Livingston (30 min.), Paradise Valley (45 min.), and the surrounding area. Here are just a few of our favorites—rest assured there are plenty more:

• Bear Canyon Cottage

• Downtown Cottage

• Modern Cabin in Paradise Valley

• Rustic Ranger Cabin

• Cozy Log Cabin

• The Lark Hotel (nice, straight-up hotel)

• The Sapphire Motel (newly renovated retro motel)

• The Murray Hotel (classic & old-fashioned, Sam Peckinpah used to live here)

• The Kimpton Armory Hotel (nice and new; the kind of place with a rooftop bar)

Things to do
Bozeman is surrounded by some of the world’s most gorgeous terrain and scenery. Map out a few hikes, take a scenic drive, sit in hot springs, visit Yellowstone, fly fish, buy a 90,000-acre ranch. Some of our favorite things:

• Hikes (be sure to take bear spray, leave no trace, and be mindful of fire hazards)

  • Sourdough/Bozeman Creek Trail (easy comfort cruise)

  • Hyalite Creek Trail/Grotto Falls (easy to moderate)

  • Triple Tree Trail (moderate)

  • College M Trail (easy to difficult depending on path you choose)

  • Storm Castle Peak Trail (moderate to difficult)

• Drives

  • Paradise Valley (aptly named, this valley is carved by the Yellowstone River, flanked by the Absaroka and Gallatin Ranges; check out Livingston, Pray, and Chico while over there, or drive up towards Pine Creek for more natural beauty and potential hikes)

  • Hyalite Canyon

  • Gallatin Canyon (a gorgeous canyon full of the scent of pine and the sound of the rushing Gallatin River. Go as far as you like; you can even make it to Yellowstone in no time)

  • Gallatin Canyon/Madison Valley Loop (longer, but gorgeous, take a soak at the Norris Hot Springs while you’re out there)

• Eating & Drinking

  • Western Cafe (classic diner; don’t worry, the wait goes quickly!)

  • Aleworks (beer and burgers but you should get the bison patty melt)

  • Blackbird (a nice place, with thoughtful, well-prepared food and great pizzas and breads out of a wood-fired oven)

  • Little Star Diner (nice yet casual)

  • Stacy’s/Old Faithful (Hugh’s favorite spot to get a High Life and a Wild Turkey on one side, then a ribeye and a mud pie on the other, all while Waylon plays on the jukebox. Was recently renovated, for better—or possibly for worse)

  • The Murray Bar (A favorite of Hugh’s from his time living in Montana, mainly due to an obsession with Jim Harrison as this was his local hang out)

  • Follow Yer’ Nose BBQ (really good Texas-style barbecue in Paradise Valley)

  • The Old Saloon (Bar and music venue with frequently notable acts next to Follow Yer’ Nose)

  • Map Brewing (great beer and good views of the Bridger Range)

  • Wild Crumb Bakery (top-notch breads and pastries)

  • Rockford Coffee (very good coffee roasted on site)

  • Bozeman Food Co-op (for all your crunchy grocery needs; there is an outpost right downtown, and one on the west end of Main St.; there is also a Safeway, Rosauers, and Whole Foods)

• Other things that don’t really fit into the above categories

  • Yellowstone National Park (about 1 1/2 hours drive from Bozeman; the nation’s—and world’s—first national park)

  • Chico Hot Springs (great spot for a soak in Paradise Valley)

  • Fly Fish (if you know, you know; if you don’t, book a guide to teach you and get ready for an incredible experience)