The Ultimate Montana Travel Guide: Yellowstone, Big Sky & Bozeman
Why Visit Montana?
Montana is called Big Sky Country for a reason—wide open landscapes, snow-capped peaks, and endless opportunities for adventure. On our family trip, we explored Bozeman, Yellowstone National Park, and Big Sky, packing in wildlife tours, scenic hikes, horseback riding, and some of the best meals of our travels.
This Montana itinerary is family-friendly, perfect for couples, and ideal if you’re planning a summer trip to Montana.
Flying Into Bozeman & Where to Stay
We started our trip by flying into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, a convenient gateway to both Yellowstone and Big Sky.
👉 Tip: Rent a car as soon as you land—you’ll absolutely need it for this trip. Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and other rental options are available at the airport.
For our first night, we stayed at the Kimpton Armory Hotel, a boutique hotel in downtown Bozeman. It was stylish, comfortable, and a great way to kick off our adventure.
Best Bozeman Restaurant: The Reverly
Our first meal was at The Reverly, and it set the tone for the trip. Fresh, delicious, and welcoming, this spot is the perfect lunch or dinner option after your flight.
Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone
From Bozeman, we drove into Yellowstone National Park and checked into a cabin at Mammoth Hot Springs. Staying inside the park had huge benefits:
No long entrance lines each morning
Elk literally walked past our cabin
Your park pass is only $35 and valid for 7 days
That first evening, we took a short hike on the property, explored the tiny town, and grabbed ice cream at the general store before resting up for a big adventure.
👉 Pro Tip: You could easily drive straight to Mammoth from Bozeman and not stay in Bozeman if arriving early in the day.
Please keep in mind as well that Mammoth Springs is not a luxury resort. It provided basic accommodations, and seeing the elk on the property was a highlight for sure, but I wanted to share to keep expectations aligned.
Lamar Valley Wildlife Tour
One of the absolute highlights of our trip was a guided wildlife tour of Lamar Valley. If you want to see Yellowstone’s wildlife up close, this is the way to do it. I highly recommend using Yellowstone Guidelines.
We spotted:
Elk
Bison
A pack of wolves
Big horn sheep
Coyotes
Birds of all kinds
The guide was extremely knowledgeable and even packed us a picnic lunch. It’s an all-day activity, so plan accordingly, but it’s absolutely worth it.
👉 Pro Tip: Other than bison, animals are very hard to spot on your own. Booking a guide increases your chances of seeing Yellowstone’s wildlife dramatically.
We stayed another night at Mammoth Hot Springs before continuing on to Big Sky the next day.
Old Faithful & The Geysers
No trip to Yellowstone is complete without seeing Old Faithful. The drive there is beautiful, with plenty of geysers and geothermal spots to stop at along the way. Guides are not necessary for this side of the park, in my opinion. However, head out early, it gets crowded quickly.
⚠️ Note: Many Yellowstone roads are only open in summer. If you’re visiting in winter, be sure to check for seasonal closures before planning your route.
West Yellowstone Stop: TR Burgers
On our way out of Yellowstone, we stopped at TR Burgers in West Yellowstone—cold beers, juicy burgers, and the perfect fuel-up before heading into Big Sky. One additional stop you could do here is the Grizzly adventure, we decided to skip but I would add this to my itienary next time.
After arriving in Big Sky and checking into our hotel, The Wilson, we had a delicious dinner at Michaelangelos, and I highly recommend it. They do not have a children’s menu, but did make a simple pasta dish for the kids. Recommend reservations here too.
Big Sky, Montana: Where to Stay
We checked into The Wilson Hotel in Big Sky, a Marriott Residence Inn property. Here’s what to know before you book:
It fills up fast, so book the exact room you want—don’t expect an upgrade.
Free breakfast is simple but convenient for families on the go.
Heated pool, playground, and an ice cream shop right beside the hotel make it extra family-friendly. Tons of restaurants and shopping right outside and walkable.
If you want a luxury hotel, the Montage is very family-friendly and centrally located as well, with great restaurants.
Horseback Riding in Big Sky: Jake’s Horses
Our first full day in Big Sky started with a 2-hour horseback ride at Jake’s Horses. This was one of the top experiences of the entire trip (alongside Lamar Valley).
Horses were gentle, and the scenery was great.
Minimum age is 7—though I’d recommend it only for mature kids who can manage a horse.
Even as beginners, we had a blast (despite my horse preferring to snack along the way!).
Afterward, we cooled off with a swim in The Wilson’s heated pool before heading to dinner.
Dinner at Riverhouse BBQ
That night, we enjoyed Riverhouse BBQ, a lively spot along the river with great food and even better ambiance. A must when in Big Sky. Know that they open at 3 pm, and when the food runs out it's out. So we decided to head over around 3:30 pm and were seated immediately.
We wrapped up the evening with ice cream at Scoops by the hotel while the kids played on the playground—simple, perfect family fun.
Hiking Ousel Falls
The next day, we hiked to Ousel Falls, one of Big Sky’s most iconic hikes. It’s family-friendly with manageable ups and downs. I’d recommend it for kids 5 and up (though energetic 4-year-olds may handle it just fine).
The waterfall payoff at the end is stunning and makes the hike worthwhile.
Summer Fun at Big Sky Resort
In summer, Big Sky Resort offers a ton of outdoor activities. We skipped the water sports but loved:
The high swing
Bungee trampoline
Cornhole
Scenic ski lift ride
Mountain Biking Lessons
Lunch at Yeti Dogs
Check in at Basecamp for your pricing and tokens needed for your activities. Later, we stopped into Tips Up for beer, pool, and shuffleboard when an afternoon rain shower rolled in.
Dinner was at Tres Torres Tacos, the only spot of the trip I wouldn’t recommend. If you’re craving pizza instead, go to Ousel & Spur Pizza—a fantastic option for families.
Biking in Big Sky
We rented bikes from Black Tie Rentals and spent a day biking around town.
E-bikes are highly recommended for children and adults—the pedal assist makes hills easy.
Kids’ bikes are not e-bikes, so bigger trails and climbs can be tough for younger riders. The guys at Black Tie are super knowledgeable and will guide you with everything you need.
We rode to By Word of Mouth for lunch. While it’s a popular spot, it wasn’t our favorite—but still worth checking out if you’re looking for a casual lunch.
Lone Mountain Ranch & The Rodeo
One of our favorite evenings was at Lone Mountain Ranch, home to the Horn & Cantle restaurant. The ranch offers:
A saloon (first-come, first-serve) if you don’t have reservations, however, I recommend getting reservations
Open fields with lawn games for kids such as cornhole, ladder golf, fires going, and beautiful scenery.
Scenic views with horses grazing nearby
We sipped cocktails while the kids played before heading to our dinner reservation.
👉 Don’t Miss: The Lone Mountain Ranch Rodeo, held every Tuesday night. We actually drove from Bozeman on our first night just for this rodeo since we were not in Big Sky on a Tuesday. If you can’t make that one, check rodeo schedules in Big Sky or Bozeman.
Final Night in Big Sky: Block 3
For our last dinner, we ate at Block 3, right beside The Wilson Hotel. We sat outside overlooking the playground while our kids made friends, giving us time to enjoy steaks, bourbon, and a stunning sunset. The bourbon list was extensive and the food was delicious.
It was the perfect finale to our Montana trip.
Flying Out of Bozeman
Most flights out of Bozeman leave around lunchtime, which worked perfectly. We packed, grabbed breakfast, and got to the airport about an hour before boarding. Having TSA PreCheck made the process even smoother.
Montana Family Vacation Itinerary Highlights
If you’re planning your Montana vacation, here are my top recommendations:
Lamar Valley Wildlife Tour in Yellowstone
Horseback Riding with Jake’s Horses in Big Sky
Rodeo and Dinner at Lone Mountain Ranch
Hike to Ousel Falls
Dinner at Block 3 Steakhouse, Michaelangelos, Horn, and Cantle
Montana gave us adventure, beauty, and memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re dreaming of wide-open spaces, incredible wildlife, and family-friendly fun, Montana should be at the top of your list.
Key Takeaways for Montana Travelers
After experiencing both Yellowstone and Big Sky, here are a few important tips that will make your trip smoother and more enjoyable:
Bring Layers: Montana weather changes quickly. We were comfortable in joggers and short sleeves most of the day, but a lightweight jacket was essential for mornings and evenings. If you’re out before sunrise or after dark, bring something warmer.
Budget for Experiences: Activities like guided tours, horseback riding, and resort passes are expensive, but absolutely worth it. I didn’t have buyer’s remorse once—the experiences made the trip.
Where to Stay: While I loved the atmosphere of Lone Mountain Ranch, I was glad we stayed at The Wilson Hotel for the location, amenities, and value. I’d happily book The Wilson again for a winter trip, especially since they provide a shuttle to Big Sky Resort for skiing.
Flexibility Helps: If possible, keep a little flexibility in your itinerary—you might want to add or shift activities once you’re there (like the rodeo we wished we had scheduled differently!).
