Bozeman's Main Street to the Mountains system contains over 80 miles of trails.
Thanks to Gallatin Valley Land Trust, these trails help make Gallatin Valley a special place to live under the Big Sky.
You can pick up a detailed GVLT Trail Map for 3 bucks at Bozeman Running Co.
For trails outside of town and West Yellowstone/Big Sky, pick up a Beartooth Publishing map for 12 bucks.
Below are a few of our favorite trails, both in-town and out.
Thanks to Gallatin Valley Land Trust, these trails help make Gallatin Valley a special place to live under the Big Sky.
You can pick up a detailed GVLT Trail Map for 3 bucks at Bozeman Running Co.
For trails outside of town and West Yellowstone/Big Sky, pick up a Beartooth Publishing map for 12 bucks.
Below are a few of our favorite trails, both in-town and out.
DIRT TRAILS IN TOWN
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Gallagator TrailFlat, dirt trail connecting Main St. and Sourdough Trail starting at Lindley Park or behind the Bozeman Library to Kagy & Willson/S. 3rd. If you want to continue, the trail picks up a little ways past Kagy off of the dead end of S. 7th and continues behind the neighborhood for a little ways. An out & back from Main St. would be roughly 5 mi.
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Sourdough Trail (& Graf Park)From Fairway Dr (just south of Kagy) all the way to Goldenstein. Flat, dirt running trails with plenty of shade, even a creek in Graf Park for your furry friends. Start from either end, an out & back would be approx. 3 mi. The Gallagator and Sourdough trails can be connected via S. Tracy on either side of Kagy.
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East Gallatin Recreation AreaA system of trails near Bridger Canyon Rd. and Story Mill Rd. The trail can be picked up on North Wallace by the railroad crossing (go under the bridge), and continue across Bridger Canyon Rd. Make a left and wind through neighborhoods to Bozeman Beach. Continue on the trail to Cherry Creek if you cross Manley Rd. This out and back is ~7 miles including the Cherry Creek loop.
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Triple TreeTrailhead starts at a small parking lot off Sourdough Rd. in South Bozeman. The trail from the parking lot proceeds up a long, gradual hill into a wooded creek area. It crosses Limestone creek several times before steeply ascending to a viewpoint. If you go all the way to the viewpoint at the top and back, it is ~4.5 miles.
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Peet's Hill & Holly Cherry LoopTake advantage of the only real hill in town if you don't want flat: Peet's Hill off S. Church Ave.
Start at Peet's Hill parking area behind the Bozeman Library and head up. Option to cross Highland and continue on what we call the Holly Cherry Loop (adjacent street names). This dirt single track meets back up with Kagy to the south. Option to go back down Highland and up to Peet's Hill or continue down Kagy, right on Church and pick up the trail back to the top of Peet's Hill. The entire loop is roughly 4 miles. |
Gallatin County Regional ParkThere are two small "lakes" at this park surrounded by trail. The trail system can be a couple of miles if you run absolutely all of it, but this trail might be best for short runs. The distance of the trail skirting both lakes is ~3/4 mile. If you are looking to do short scenic laps, this is the place to go as the views of the Bridger Mountains are gorgeous.
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TRAILS AROUND BOZEMAN
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College "M" TrailTrailhead is located up Bridger Canyon Rd. (Route 86- just look for the giant white M on the south end of the Bridgers!) You have two options: the "Long Way" which is 1.5 miles up a winding dirt trail with beautiful views or the "Steep Way" which is 3/4 mile straight up on a rocky dirt trail, considered difficult. Both ways have the option to continue up to the ridge to Baldy mountain (5 mi) and beyond, up to 21 miles.
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Sypes CanyonA beautiful wooded canyon on the west side of the Bridgers. The trail gradually winds to an impressive lookout point 2 miles up. Some parts are steeper than others, but it's definitely run-able. You can opt to continue up from the lookout. Take Springhill Rd. north to Sypes Canyon Rd. and follow it to the end, where there is a small parking area.
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South CottonwoodSouth of Bozeman off Cottonwood Rd. (look for signs to the trailhead at Cottonwood Canyon Rd). It starts with a handful of steep switchbacks, but don't be fooled... the trail opens up and crosses the creek a few times (plenty of water for dogs!). Watch out for mountain bikers around tight corners and refrain from loud headphones to stay alert. The third bridge is ~2.5-3 miles, but you can continue to Hyalite or all the way to Mount Blackmore.
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Hyalite CanyonLocated at the very end of Hyalite Canyon Rd. (from S. 19th Ave). There are numerous trail options in the canyon, so we recommend grabbing a "Bozeman Area" Beartooth Publishing map or chatting with a BRC staff member for more detailed information. We recommend a few trails in the canyon, including: Hyalite Peak, Blackmore, Palisade Falls, Grotto Falls, and Emerald and Heather Lakes. The canyon is perfect for trail running, mountain biking, stand-up paddle boarding, camping, and skiing during the winter months.
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Sourdough Canyon (Bozeman Creek)Located off of Nash Rd. at Sourdough Canyon Rd. just south of Bozeman, this may be the most gradual of all the trails mentioned, as it gains elevation rather slowly. It is an old logging road that skirts Bozeman Creek. Continue up all the way to Mystic Lake (8 miles to the lake) or do an out-and-back at any distance. It is also groomed for XC-skiing during the winter.
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Leverich CanyonAnother South Bozeman trail, this one can be found off Nash Rd, take South 3rd to the very end and then keep going. The last mile is a ROUGH dirt road, might want to leave the Prius at home.
It is popular amongst mountain bikers, so be alert. This trail is a loop of just less than 5 mi total and offers a great banking downhill once you pass the high point. At the start, it is suggested to go left at the first junction and do the loop clockwise, the same way that it is recommended to bikers. You will face switchbacks and be challenged on the uphill, but the downhill is one of the best around. |
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